Over the past few years, the different governments all around the world have been putting in a lot of effort in trying to stop teenagers from drinking. An increasing amount of effort has been shown in trying to solve this problem. For instance, the advertisements for alcoholic drinks in some countries are now have more stringent requirements than before. However, the results are not as positive as would be expected for the amount of time and effort invested in such issues.
I feel that one of the main causes of this problem is the environment that many of the children nowadays grow up in. They grow up in an environment which causes them to succumb to peer pressure. For instance, they may feel left out when a whole group of their friends drink alcohol and they don't. This would cause them to want to drink alcohol as well for the sake of being accepted into the group of friends.
Moreover, there are many parents who think that it is alright for teenagers to drink alcohol. some of them are alcohol addicts who do not believe that alcohol is bad. Others either haven't been directly affected by the devastating effects of alcohol or do not have family members or love ones who have suffered because of alcohol. Thus, they may never understand the effects that alcohol would have on their body. On top of that, many parents also are unaware of their children's' social life and in a way, may end up neglecting them. Also most of the teenagers parents grew up in the 70's and it was never impressed upon them that they should not take alcohol because they are young. This would cause many current day parents to allow their children to drink alcoholic drinks.
Another factor which fuels drinking in teenagers is the availability of alcopops, which are sweet, flavoured alcoholic drinks that are readily available in many convenience shops. Studies show that a large number of children aged 13 to 16 are attracted to the idea of these "alcopops".
The main problem with teenage drinking is the problem which alcohol pose on their developing bodies. Compared to the damage that alcohol does on an adult's body, the damage which is done on teenagers' still developing body is much greater. Also, if they get addicted to alcohol at such a young age, then the amount of alcohol that the body would have taken in when they reach adulthood would hit exceedingly high amounts.
I really hope that more effort can be put into helping to stop this alarming trend of teenage drinking. I think that one of the most important things that can be done is for the children to be educated since young. this would definitely leave a much more lasting impression on the children, and would definitely help to reduces the number of teenage drinkers.
BBC news
1 comment:
true, that peer pressure will have teenagers take to drink, as during NS days? am not aware of alcopops but is this available locally? (article is UK-based?)
Post a Comment