Reason Why a Teenager Drinks

“My manner of living is plain... a glass of wine and a bit of mutton” (George Washington) “Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy” (Benjamin Franklin) “Wine is necessary for life” (Thomas Jefferson). If only these founding fathers knew the threat alcohol is to the youngsters of America, wine would not sound so good to these three men. Underage drinking in America is a common problem in the United States. Also, the use of alcohol in any society is a deadly thing. But as the years adapted to new problems, so do the young adults in America. Young individuals in America face many demands by the vast changes in a society. There are many reasons why a teenager drinks alcoholic beverages. Media, liquor ads, friends, stress and lack of parenting are some of the many reasons why a teenager drinks alcoholic

beverages in the United States.

Understanding teenage behaviors is the key answer to comprehending the reasons why they drink. Just like adults, teens are humans as well and go through anxieties and constant worries of life. Several different influences are capable of persuading a teenage to drink. Teenage peers, most of the time, have a powerful influence toward other teens in their group. As a result, peer pressure has a great impact on the lives of the teenagers. Teens often listen to the advice as well as disapproval from their peers. Kathiann Kowalski, Peer Pressure is an Important Influence on America’s Youth, addresses these points saying, “Peer pressure is the influence that people in your age group exert on you. Often, the pressure includes words of encouragement, criticism, or persuasion. Or it can be unspoken; because group members sport similar clothes or hairstyles. Either way, peer pressure can have a profound impact on your physical and emotional health” (Kowalski).

Most teenagers do not force other peers in their group to drink alcohol in a harsh or teasing way verbally, but instead physiological expressions forces the peers to follow and drink as well. This process is explained by Hayley Mitchell, Teen Alcoholism “Today’s teens may not be bullied or teased into drinking, but they are apt to follow their friend’s leads. Researchers have found that peer influence, a more subtle form of peer pressure; can be a powerful predictor of alcohol use among teens” (Mitchell). For example, teens start drinking alcohol because they want to fit and be accepted in the popular group of teens.

Stress is a widespread problem most teens always face in their daily lives and it is also a major reason why teenagers drink. It is important to understand the reasons behind the stress and exactly what are the situations that might cause a teenager to drink alcohol. Divorce of parent or loss of family member could be the reason why teenagers drink alcohol. There are many other reasons that teens drink alcohol, although some do it to relieve stress, anxiety, loneliness, rejection, depression, or any other of the strong emotions.

Alcohol becomes a habit for teenagers, and teens begin to enjoy the beverage that takes away the pain and anxieties and therefore enjoys getting drunk. Stewart Gail, Teen Alcoholics, the other America, talks about reasons why teens drink. “Many teens begin using alcohol because they enjoy being drunk” (Gail). Joe Mike, Alcohol Effects mentions, “The reason why people become dependent on alcohol is because they like the taste or they drink because they like the way it makes them feel. It relaxes them, making them feel more comfortable and less tense. This effect is what can lead to a dependence upon alcohol and its relaxing effect” (Mike). Teenagers often start drinking because they think it is cool or because it makes them feel more grown up. Gillian Keleher, of Teenage Drinking in America “According to MADD which stands for (Mother Against Drunk Driving); majority of young people 79%, say being drunk is appealing because it feels good. Among the other reasons given are relaxation and escape (Teenage Drinking in America).

The media, including advertisements, is a leading force that influences young adults to drink. Television sends advertisements of alcohol to the society pretending that the ads are being aimed towards adults only. Television is in fact advancing very rapidly in the United States, and undeniably, a positive message has always come out from television advertisings in the past and still continues to promote encouraging messages to the society such as the commercials and TV shows like “The Cosby Show”. But ads portraying liquor or any type of drug that is dangerous should not be sending messages that liquor of pleasure such as the Budweiser commercials. Antonia Novello, who is a surgeon general of the United States from 1990-1993, clarifies this point saying, “Concerns over alcohol advertising arise because most alcohol advertising goes beyond describing the specific qualities of the beverage. It creates a glamorous, pleasurable image that may mislead the youth” (Novello). For example, alcohol advertising does create a setting in which dangerous attitudes toward alcohol are presented as normal, appropriate, and innocuous. Advertising links alcohol with precisely those attributes qualities of happiness, wealth, prestige, success, maturity, athletic ability, creativity, and sexual satisfaction that the misuse of alcohol usually.

Most underage alcohol drinkers occur in college campuses where most eighteen and nineteen year olds college students easily obtain alcohol. Additionally, alcohol is found irresistible in college parties and brings amusements to the students. College is the perfect place for underage drinkers to drink as much as they wish since there is so much peer influence and parties with no parents around. For this reason, alcohol drinking very much takes place in college. In college, students express themselves more easily then they did in their parent home. In other words, students in college are most likely to do all the things their parent’s prohibited from them. Parents who have alcohol problems in their past have a great effect on the reasons why their children might drink as well. Alcohol can be passed along to the children both genetically by parents who drink at home often and are more accepting of alcohol.

Mitchell explains this, saying, the predisposition to alcoholism has two theoretical explanations. The first is genetic. Genetic studies of twins and adopted babies indicate that alcoholism is to some extent hereditary. There is greater evidence, experts agree, that parental alcohol use and parental attitudes toward alcohol play a larger role in influencing teen drinking behavior than genetics.

Their examples, behaviors, attitudes to certain things and actions are the models that children target from their parents. For this reason, it is crucial for a parent to watch every act performed front of the children. Because children do pick up those actions and will be affected by it. Chris Varley, the author of Life Issue Alcoholism, “Exposure to alcohol begins at early age, and parents are not aware of the fact that they carry a great deal of responsibilities for their children”.

Restrictions against underage drinking are improving. “Local liquor stores working with MADD teens raise awareness” (The Juneau Empire). Alcohol is becoming a serious issue in America; therefore, laws and preventions are being created in order to decrease alcohol availability to teenagers and to fight against underage drinking and driving. Alcohol use among any society is a deadly thing; however alcohol use among youth and children is even more deadly. Lawmakers need to make age policies stricter. Nevertheless, the government must raise alcohol taxes in order to reduce alcohol issues.

Parents must get involved in their children’s life especially in the teenager years. “Moreover, the biggest regulation that can be taken against underage drinking is parental discipline” (Mitchell). Alcohol is ruling and destroying the young adults of America. “There is not exactly one cause of underage drinking to blame; there are many reasons why teenagers drink” (Keleher). Alcohol is a large part of American society. Movies, television, and advertisements often glamorize drinking; no matter what the reason are the statistics prove that American teenagers are drinking, and that it is both dangerous and damaging to them. Overall, the society as a whole must create good strategies to improve the degree of underage drinking, and try their best to prevent future tragedies.





Citations

Gail, Stewart. Teen alcoholics, the other America. Rev Ed. Lucent Books. 2000

Juneau Empire. “Local Liquor stores working with MADD, teens to raise Awareness”. MSNBC news. 12. April. 2007.
http://www.underagedrinkingprevention.com

Keleher, Gillian. Teenage Drinking In America”. Bolton Central School
12. April. 2007. http://www.Drinking/teens.com

Kowalski, Kathiann M. “Peer Pressure is an Important Influence on America’s Youth
America’s Youth. Opposing viewpoints. Rev. Ed. Greenhaven Press, 2007.

Mike, Joe. Alcohol Effects. Rev. Ed. New York: Rages Books, 2000.

Mitchell, R. Hayley. Teen Alcoholism. Rev. Ed. Lucent Books. San Diego: 1998.

Novello C. Antonia. “Alcohol Advertisements Encourage Teens to Abuse Alcohol”.
Rev. Ed. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. 1994.

Varley, Chris. Alcoholism, Life Issues. Rev. Ed. New York: Marshall Cavendish. 1994.