Drinking: "It's what grown-ups do"

unreggd

I think there's a huge portrayal of drinking being the done thing in adult life, which is making it more attractive to kids, who just wanna act like grown-ups

They're always drinking in the soaps, every day, early in the day they're in the pub

and families going to pubs for dinner, so the parents can have a few pints

I just think it's something kids shouldn't be around


Wat u think?

force majeure

Just as a matter off interest for me to point out, both my parents were non drinkers yet me and my two brothers still wound up alkis without any help. One is now dead and the other only half their OOO yes and the two parents are playing drum and bass at the gig in the sky too.

CatHerder

unreggd wrote: »

I think there's a huge portrayal of drinking being the done thing in adult life, which is making it more attractive to kids, who just wanna act like grown-ups

They're always drinking in the soaps, every day, early in the day they're in the pub

and families going to pubs for dinner, so the parents can have a few pints

I just think it's something kids shouldn't be around


Wat u think?

You're right that social drinking plays a big part in everyday life, particularly in Ireland and the UK.
The thing is that, many people can and do drink socially without developing a problem. I don't think that trying to change our culture or restrict children's exposure to it will have any impact on problems that can develop, any more than the introduction of prohibition in the United States.

To my mind people just need a little education in recognizing the signs of Alcoholism in themselves (not in others)

AA can improve your life, which is contrary to what most drinkers think.

cantdecide

The problem is grown-up fun = alcohol. Fun may not be had without it. The best fun you'll have is with it.

CatHerder

cantdecide wrote: »

The problem is grown-up fun = alcohol. Fun may not be had without it. The best fun you'll have is with it.

Grown-up fun to me is sex

cantdecide

CatHerder wrote: »

Grown-up fun to me is sex

And a much healthier passtime it is, too :P

Lord TSC

I read an article recently which kind of relates it this. It said that Ireland's main problem isn't the fact that the teenagers are acting like grown ups. It's that the grown ups are acting like teenagers, thinking that even at 50, they can be falling out of nightclubs, getting absolutly smashed and setting horrible examples. And then, of course teenagers are going to follow that example, since there's little else for them to follow...

CatHerder

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

I read an article recently which kind of relates it this. It said that Ireland's main problem isn't the fact that the teenagers are acting like grown ups. It's that the grown ups are acting like teenagers, thinking that even at 50, they can be falling out of nightclubs, getting absolutly smashed and setting horrible examples. And then, of course teenagers are going to follow that example, since there's little else for them to follow...

I was falling out of night clubs at 45, I wasn't trying to set an example though and I doubt anyone seen me as a roll model.
I don't think young people look to their elders as examples any more than I did in my twenties. In fact I'd say it's the opposite.

breadandjam

cantdecide wrote: »

The problem is grown-up fun = alcohol. Fun may not be had without it. The best fun you'll have is with it.

You don't really believe that do you?

booksale

kids in pubs are the culture and i dont think there is a problem the kids see adults drinking and looking forward to drink when they reach the age.

although i am not from ireland, i like the culture that kids can have dinner in a pub. when i first read it from lonely planet 'warning' us to see kids in pub, i think it's a very unique and special thing.

i remember i had a taste from my dad's beer when i was a little girl. the memory is so good (though the taste was... :eek: for a little girl).

i agree with one of the posters that it's the awareness about alcoholism. education in drinking rationally is urgently needed.

drink yourselves to a level to be stupid and harmful to yourselves and others is just awful.