Can we REALLY stop young people drinking alcohol in the UK?

Question

Alcohol is something all kids feel they have to try. We've all done it and some of us have learnt that it's not good to be drunk and have a hangover, whilst others think it's the best thing since sliced bread. Should we just let youths get on with it and learn the hard way - it's all part of growing up - or do we really need to do something about it? If so, what (in reality) can be done?

Maybe we should follow the French and teach kids that a little is OK as long as it's done socially and definitely not to excess on a regular basis.

Answer 1

Alcohol is not the problem, but the cultural perception towards alcohol. In mainland Europe, alcohol is culturally neutral; it is consumed regularly in small quantities with meals, etc. However, in the UK, being drunk is seen as a rebellion against cultural norms, as a way of reducing one's inhibitions (and thus making flirting easier), and a way of conforming to the social expectations of youth. For example, I myself have never been drunk. When I say this to others most reply, "What, you haven't lived!", or "Then we'll take you to town and get you hammered." - there is a social expectation for youth to get drunk.

I think there are several ways to reduce the social attachment to alcohol, and in particular, binge drinking and drunkeness:

- media should not condone excessive drinking (i.e. the "pub brawl" scenes common in soap operas such as Eastenders), but nor excessively criticize it, to prevent excessive drinking being seen as a form of rebellion (e.g. headlines such as "Boozing Britain" or whatever). However, subtle criticism of alcohol in soap operas, etc, may help reshape cultural perceptions.

- drink wine or other alcoholic beverages with a low alcoholic volume with meals regularly, and allow children to drink moderate amounts of wine/beer with a meal at restaurants from a younger age (say 12) to remove the concept that drinking underage is rebellious, or that you are entitled to drink excessively once you are above the legal minimum age. Secondly, in France, wine in particular is never drunken on its own, as it is seen as "water for the table"; something common and relatively cheap.

- make the punishment for drunkeness harsher, but reduce restrictions on moderately drinking alcohol.

- educate children about alcohol, both the positive effects when drunk in moderation (reduced risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's, etc), it's effects on the body when you are drunk, and long-term effects, and cultural perceptions of alcohol (i.e. alcohol-associated violence is mostly not caused by the alcohol but by the social associations and expectations of drunkeness - i.e. Stella Artois is called "the wife-beater" when there is NO increase in the likelihood of violence when drinking Stella Artois compared to other alcoholic drinks, or anything really for that matter.)

Answer 2

I think we can and we should do something about the excessive drinking habit of our young people. I know a lot of people in this country will say things like "oh, it's all part of growing up. They'll grow out of it". It's not because it is an addiction, like an addiction to drugs. Once you are addicted, it is a uphill struggle to try to stay away from alcohol. What's more, it can do a lot of damages to the body --- the brain, the arteries, the blood vessels, the mouth, the liver... If we love our young people, do we want to see their health wrecked by the effect of alcohol? Of course not! If we shy away from our duties, we're just letting the brewing industries and the media do whatever they want with our young people.

I think as adults, we should set a good example of not drinking excessively. We should also talk to children about the harmful effects of alcohol and other harmful substances when they are still at an age when they are likely to listen. If we leave it till too late, we stand a very bad chance of getting our message across. There's no need to condemn alcohol as something to be shared among friends on a happy social occasion or young people, being rebellious, are more likely to be tempted into trying with their friends.

Answer 3

Whatever about the French dying from alcohol, most of them live much better with it than the English, especially the young ones.
I agree with those who think the puritanical attitude of quite a few parents is part of the problem; anything that's forbidden is soo much more attractive at that age.

Another part is lack of parental supervision and lack of policing. Don't you think waking up in a cell would cure quite a few kids and parents? But that's not going to happen because it would mean investing lots of money in proper facilities and trained staff.

Group pressure is, in my view, the largest contributary factor. As long as kids are told by others that it's "cool" to be out of their senses as often as they can, they will keep abusing alcohol, especially if they look at the many adults who are at it too.

Answer 4

My first alcoholic drink (apart from christmas wine) was cider, with a meal, aged 15, bought by my dad, in Woolworths. He had to argue with the checkout girl to buy it. He knows the law (as it stood then) and it was ok.

The only times I've got drunk has been in good company, and that has always kept me safe. I learnt social drinking in the company of adult scout supporters (18 - 25).

I started drinking at an appropriate age, it was no taboo mystery to me, and I soon learned what my (low) limits are and am a responsible social drinker.

Following the French model would be a good idea

Answer 5

I quite agree with most of the answerers - introduce controlled drinking at home. It's something "normal" and enjoyable after all.
However, there will always be some people who abuse the system, probably due to inferior mental control. The answer is to discourage this. If the police stood around outside pubs, grabbed the incapably and/or agressively drunk and gave them an immediate 40 lashes in front of their friends - the issue would soon cease. We're too soft on these pathetic wastrels. There should be no place for them in civilised society.

Answer 6

Yes... we should follow the French's attitude, but that culture has been a long time growing.... most of the adults in this country don't have a healthy relationship with alcohol so what chance have the kids got?

When I was younger I don't remember being rat-arsed every night... yes of course I got drunk... but don't remember falling over in the street with my legs in the air like so many young 'ladies' today.

I don't know what the answer is, but drink manufacturers have a lot to answer for, making these fruit juice drinks that just appeal to the younger market..... so maybe stick a whopping great tax on these and get it out of their reach....

But the government in England isn't going to do anything about it, just like they've shirked away from the smoking in public thing..... it brings in too much tax revenue for them, and not one they will give up easily.

So with any luck.... these idiots will drink themselves to death and wipe themselves out. I for one will be cheering from the rafters when they do.

Answer 7

I think the latest idea is to introduce alchohol to kids in the home, under parental supervision - surely that's got to be better than letting them secretly swig a bottle of cider down the local off-license?

There's always going to be the scally/chav types whose parents don't care, and unfortunately nothing can be done to save them from a life on benefits, but for the rest there may be some hope :)

Answer 8

Alcohol in the UK is a right of passage into adulthood whether we agree with this or not. The individuals risk make up usually defines on how they will drink alcohol over their lives. I don't think we can stop it.

On the french, I am afraid you are wrong. They have a MASSIVE problem with alcohol related deaths both on the road and due to health. I am afraid they are in the same boat as us.

Answer 9

I have 3 children, 18, 12 and 9
I have always allowed them to drink at home (special occasions) just a glass.

My daughter who is 18 has never hung around on streets and is a very sensible drinker. She never goes over the top because she has never seen it as a novelty. My sons now think the same.

I think if you keep children from drink in the home they will definitely go elsewhere to try it anyway so wouldn't you rather they did it in the safety of your own home?

Answer 10

the fee of alcohol isn´t the determining element in teenage binge ingesting. they are transforming into up in a worldwide the place it´s deemed socially suitable for adults to get roaring inebriated and lose administration of their senses. of course they are going to pass out and emulate them as quickly as they might and having no clever training contained in using alcohol they drink to extra and the themes initiate. right here on the continent binge ingesting between little ones does happen yet to nowhere close to the comparable quantity. Culturally, drunkenness isn´t known particularly so casually because it extremely is contained in the U.ok. human beings drink socially without the merely precise purpose of the night being oblivion and the sight of somebody throwing their guts up via overindulgence remains particularly stunning right here. till the Brits discover ways to drink sensibly and the entire subculture ameliorations, their childrens will proceed to strengthen up in an ecosystem it extremely is permissive in the direction of alcohol abuse.