Underage Drinking

Table of Contents

Abstract

Underage alcohol use is a widespread form of substance abuse among the U.S. youth (Galson, 2009). Genetic factors, childhood behavior, psychiatric disorders, suicidal behavior, parental and peer influences are components of childhood developmental framework that facilitate the causation of underage alcohol use (Goldberg, 2009). Understanding the developmental framework of childhood and adolescence provides insight into the causes and means to curb alcoholism among the teenage Americans. Adolescence is a developmental stage of life defined by enhanced vulnerability to social risks. Biological, psychological, genetic, and social factors all play a role in the development of substance abuse. Christian values and teachings do not have a direct reference to alcohol prohibition (Mahoney, 2012). However, the religion teaches submission to authorities and avoidance of substances that harm the human body. This translates to a non-tolerance approach to adolescent alcohol abuse. The family, community, society, and religious systems are institutions whose integrated efforts can help solve the puzzle.

Introduction

Societies and parents throughout the world develop standards and expectations as to what children should do at specific stages as they transit from childhood toward adulthood (Ebaugh, 2006). These include social and family roles. These standards, which children come to embrace or rebel against, comprise a range of behavioral norms. Examples include laws and rules that regulate social conduct in the society, learning to drive a car, engaging in responsible dating, participation and contribution to the community and family through roles and deeds and, participation in religious practices. Failure to conform to developmental requirements may pose serious consequences to the attainment of these standards set by society and families. Some of the expectations are universal while others are highly specific to a culture and religion. In all cultures familial, social and religious rituals, ceremonies, and structured experiences support the transitions in the developmental framework of adolescence (Goldberg, 2009).

Summary

Origin of Underage Alcohol Use

Alcohol consumption is a leading form of substance abuse among America’s youth, with a higher frequency of use than illicit drugs and tobacco (Galson, 2009). Although the society considers alcohol abuse by adolescents a rite of passage, it poses a serious threat to adolescent development and health as it requires a broad collaborative effort to solve. A better understanding of the problem is possible within the developmental framework because it directly relates to the developmental processes that occur during adolescence. Research shows that adolescence is a period marked by high vulnerability to substance abuse. Factors that influence underage alcohol use are biological and cognitive changes including sexual development and differential maturation of regions of the brain common among adults. It also results from psycho-social changes such as increase in independence and risk taking. Underage consumption of alcohol is also influenced by various social and cultural components of the settings in which adolescents live. These factors include family, school, community, and peers.

Genetic, social, and psychological factors specific to an individual adolescent also play a role, just as environmental factors that influence the appeal and availability of alcohol. For instance, enforcement of policies for alcohol control in institutions of learning, availability, pricing, and marketing practices all promote underage alcohol consumption.

Statistics and Facts

Alcohol consumption by adolescents has been shown to increase with age (Ebaugh, 2006). The number of binge drinking days increased with age, among adolescents who drink. While it is true that adults drink more frequently than adolescents, adolescents consume alcohol more heavily than adults. Approximately 50 percent of America’s youth, both boys and girls, will have had a full drink at age 15. The figure goes up to 90% by age 21 (Galson, 2009). In addition, the highest prevalence of alcohol dependence occurs among the youth, 18-20 years of age. The statistics are worrying because adolescents do not show similar reaction to alcohol like adults. For instance, in cases of impairment caused by drunken driving, more adolescents than youth are affected.

There are several astonishing short and long term effects of alcohol both in range and magnitude. Alcohol consumption is the most prevalent cause of injury and death among young people below 21 years of age (Ibid). Alcohol plays a significant role in the development of high risk sexual behavior defined by unwanted, unprotected, and unintended sexual activity, and participation in sex with multiple parties. Unwanted sexual activity heightens the risk of unplanned pregnancy and contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that leads to death true Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). In addition, underage consumption of alcohol contributes high risks of sexual and physical assault, and of heavy drinking at old age. Alcohol is also a suspect causative factor in academic failure and illegal drug use. The effects of alcohol abuse are wide ranging physical consequences from hangovers to death from alcohol poisoning.

Effects of alcohol in human health are extensive; it facilitates alteration of function and structure of the human brain which is still maturing until the late 20s (Galson, 2009). Impairment of brain functions has significant consequences that are long term. Second hand impacts of alcohol use are also widespread. Alcohol not only affect the drinker, but the affects others, as well. Research information indicates that 80% of college students drink alcohol 40% of which engage in binge drinking while 20% engage in episodic consumption (Ibid). As proof of secondhand effects, 600,000 students are unintentionally injured, 700,000 assaulted by students who drink while at least 100,000 students are victims of rape and sexual assault (Masten, Faden, Zucker, & Spear, 2009).

Possible Solution

Alcohol consumption triggers biological changes that alters reasoning, judgment, self-regulation, problem-solving, and impulse control (Ebaugh, 2006). The problem of adolescent alcohol abuse is a public health concern and addressing it requires an approach based on the developmental framework. It comprises consideration of the various components of the environmental, in which the youth lives. These include family, peers, community, school, policies, culture, and laws. Each of these components exposes the youth to both negative and positive impacts, with the potential to increase the risk of alcohol use. The adolescents are involved in these systems and so adults including parents and others should participate in creating positive outcomes (Galson, 2009). One such essential action includes scaffolding, a structured process that facilitates positive development and minimizes risks (Ibid). The process involves development of an environment safe for adolescents, who are sensation seeking, and risk taking, naturally.

Scaffolding may also occur in the form of developing a buffer against destructive influences that lead youth to alcohol use. In childhood and throughout adolescence, scaffolding requires frequent adjustment due to the dynamic environment, in which the youth live. The adolescents and their situation are constantly changing. Effective scaffolding promotes mitigation of risk factors and decision making that is proper. I order to confer positive results, scaffolding must occur within developmental and cultural framework. This comprises transition and evolution of social systems as the child matures and continues until maturity.

Christian Worldview

Religion exerts a protective ideology against underage alcohol consumption (Mahoney, 2012). The issue of alcohol is tied to morality and Christian ethics. Alcohol predisposes young people to a state of mind that is prone to behavioral practices contrary to religious values. Teens face a dilemma handling the pressure to drink alcohol (Burris, Sauer, & Carlson, 2011). This is because the Christian ideologies do not define morality in terms of alcohol use. Some denominations that practice the Christian faith recommend moderation when it comes to alcohol adding to the dilemma already blurring the decision as to whether drinking is acceptable or not. However, there are parts of the Bible (Ephesians 5:18) that teaches that alcohol drives people away from the relationship with God. Other scriptures promote respect for the authorities. In this case, law that bans underage alcohol use prevails and is supported by the Christian values and teachings. The immoral or sinful nature of alcohol use by adolescents is evident in its destructive nature. It destroys life through diseases of the liver and kidneys, traffic crashes, physical and sexual abuses, sexually transmitted diseases, and other factors related to alcohol use. In the Christian law, God created mankind and any behavior that destroys life is sinful. Alcohol is one such sin that negative influences behavior and causes destruction to God’s creation.

Conclusion

The risks involved in underage drinking are not worth taking (Burris, Sauer, & Carlson, 2011). Emerging research information indicates a potentially long term adverse effects, which is disturbing considering that alcohol abuse stems from behavior that can be managed. According to research also, laws that regulate the minimum drinking age facilitates positive impact through a reduction in traffic crashes, fatalities, alcohol consumption and suicide by those under the age of 21 (Masten, Faden, Zucker, & Spear, 2009). Therefore, the national endeavors to curb underage drinking are warranted. The family, community, society, and religion all have a part to play in curbing the menace of underage drinking. The Christian view on alcoholism is non-direct, but the religion holds values and beliefs that discourage sin and harm to the human body. Actions should be implemented at the various points in the developmental framework, in order to address factors that facilitate deviation from the norm. The baseline is the creation of a mechanism that regulates the environmental influence on adolescent behavior.

References

Burris, L., Sauer, S., & Carlson, C. (2011). “A test of religious commitment and spiritual transcendence as predictors of underage alcohol use”. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 3(3): 231-240.

Ebaugh, H. (2006) “Handbook of Religion and Social Institutions”. New York, NY: Springer Science.

Galson, S. (2009). “Surgeon General’s Perspective: Preventing and Reducing Underage Drinking”. Public Health Reports, 124: 2-4.

Goldberg, R. (2009). “Drugs across the Spectrum”. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Mahoney, K. (2012). “Christian Teens and Drinking: Making Decisions Based on Facts and Faith”. About.com. Christian Teens. Retrieved from, http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/Drinking.htm

Masten, A., Faden, V., Spear, L. & Zucker, (2009). “A Developmental Perspective on Underage Alcohol Use”. Alcohol Research & Research, 32(1): 3-15.

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