Social Benefits Of Binge Drinking

The goal of my study is to have a better understanding of why young people are more likely statistically to become binge drinkers, the act of consuming excessive amounts of alcohol in one sitting to reach drunkenness, than people of other ages. History often repeats itself. Humans are naturally selfish and often fall back into the same sinful ways. It is a common notion that people want what they cannot have. When the United States government restricted alcohol consumption in the early 1900s, organized crime skyrocketed. Instead of being law-abiding citizens, people found ways to obtain what they wanted and often in more dangerous quantities than ever before. When given access to the illegal goods, the criminals would binge drink to satisfy …show more content…
In studies it has been reported that binge drinking is the most enjoyable way of getting drunk among adolescents—often an intended effect and a product of individual choice (Coleman, Cater 2005). Motivations for drinking in this manner can be separated by social facilitation, individual benefits, and social norms and influences (Coleman, et al., 2005). Social facilitation was the most commonly reported motivation out of the prior (Coleman, et al., 2005). Social benefits such as increased confidence can cause a domino effect which can extend to other character traits. Increased willingness to interact with strangers and friends alike often leads to increased sexual confidence (Coleman, et al., 2005). There are also benefits of binge drinking to be found within the individual. Drinking away sorrows, occupying time, and increased enjoyments in times of strife boost the happiness and carefree attitude of the individual (Coleman, et al., 2005). Beyond the individual and his/her peers, social norms and influences portray binge drinking as a pastime, leading adolescents to widely believe the media that has filled the minds of today’s youth (Coleman et al., 2005). Influence of media leads to not only peer pressure but peer …show more content…
The age of underage drinking should be lowered to eighteen years of age in order to combat the social drinking normality of recklessness and alcohol abuse. This may change the perspective of young people from a sinful, pleasureful activity to one that is casual and laid-back. Using the information gathered, by lowering the law to eighteen years the stigma can be less present throughout the most susceptible group. Any alcohol abuse younger than eighteen may be detrimental to the child’s growth. The brain is still developing at younger ages and may cause damage to itself as well as neurocognitive deficits and other physical symptoms (Zeigler et al., 2005) Not only does binge drinking during development harm the brain more than older age groups, but is also hinders the ability to store and develop memory. This sort of trauma can be inflicted among adults as well, but children with developing brains are more susceptible to this sort of damage (Zeigler et al., 2005). Many valid theories attempt to answer why the underage are drinking more at younger ages, but by removing the sinful stigma of consumption, drinking rates may lower significantly at all illegal ages. Michael O. Leavitt, in a message from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, best summarized the growing problem present day’s society faces:
“Learned early, the lessons of good health will last a lifetime.