Culture of intoxication is ‘the norm’ for teens

Young people get drunk to bond with their social group, according to an academic.

Teenagers regard their ability to drink excessive amounts of alcohol as a mark of “personal esteem” among their friends and for many it is key to being accepted as part of a social group.

Christine Griffin, of the University of Bath, said she carried out detailed research into the reasons for young people drinking, including extensive interviews.

She said British government campaigns targeting the availability of cheap drink, such as in off licences or supermarkets, would not tackle young people’s drinking habits alone.

“Extreme inebriation is often seen as a source of personal esteem and social affirmation among young people,” Prof. Griffin said.

“Our detailed research interviews reveal that tales of alcohol-related mishaps and escapades are key markers of young peoples’ social identity.”

In 2007 Prof. Griffin led research for the Economic and Social Research Council that suggested a radical re-thinking of national alcohol policy was required to take into account the social character of alcohol consumption and the identity implications for young people.

Prof. Griffin spoke out ahead of a presentation at the British Psychological Society’s annual conference at the University of Winchester. She spoke on the findings from the ESRC-funded study of intensive research with young drinkers in a major metropolitan area and in two towns in semi-rural locations.

Prof. Griffin said: “In this presentation I will argue that the ‘culture of intoxication’ has become a normalised and all but compulsory aspect of many young people’s social lives. “Getting very drunk with friends often insulates young people from viewing their level of alcohol consumption as a potential problem, deepening bonds of friendship and cementing group membership.

“Campaigns that aim to change young people’s drinking habits need to take the social importance of drinking into account, as well as the pervasive availability of ‘cheap deals’ on alcohol.”