Why teenagers drink too much
Especially during puberty, with its many turbulences and uncertainties, alcohol seems particularly attractive. One’s own self-image is shaken by the physical and psychological transformation, and the awakening sexuality sends emotions into a tailspin.
Young people have to find their role in their circle of friends, break away from the parental home and set their sights on their professional future. What’s more, drinking alcohol makes them feel cool and grown-up.
Peer pressure to drink
Decisive for one’s own drinking behavior are one’s circle of friends and leisure activities. If one’s own friends drink, peer pressure takes hold particularly easily. Young people who particularly enjoy spending their free time at parties and clubs also naturally tend to drink significantly more than those who prefer sports or cultural events.
Alcohol consumption in the family
The influence of advertising, movies, series
The positive image created by advertising also has an influence. According to this, alcohol makes people relaxed, fun, communicative and washes away inhibitions. This makes it a welcome source of encouragement, especially for young people with weak self-confidence. Movies and series also convey this image. They often show that reaching for the bottle when problems arise is normal and helpful.
Drinking behavior of young people
But there is also an opposing trend: young people who think boozing is uncool and drink very little or not at all.
Preventing alcohol abuse among young people
The reasons for alcohol consumption are so varied that simple prevention measures such as banning flat-rate parties or high taxes on mixed drinks (alcopops) do not really have any effect. The decisive factor is the attitude that young people themselves have toward alcohol.
Emotional stabilization
Making children strong
“Making children strong” is therefore the motto of a campaign by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA). The main aim is to get parents involved in a targeted way. After all, prevention begins long before the critical age. It is based on a trusting relationship between parents and children. It is important to strike a balance between age-appropriate freedom and the necessary limits.
The overprotected are also affected more often
Educate about dangers
A large proportion of adolescent alcohol consumers are perfectly amenable to logical arguments. However, long-term consequences such as irreparable liver damage (for example, in the form of cirrhosis) and the threat of cancer are still too far away for young people to be seriously frightened.
Medium-term damage also definitely has deterrent potential. For example, too much alcohol has a negative effect on the ability to concentrate and think. Young people who drink a lot of alcohol often drop out of school.
This is an argument that works especially well with girls: Alcohol has a lot of calories – it makes you fat.
Tips for parents
- You are a role model for your child – even if he or she is slowly growing up. Your handling of alcohol influences your daughter’s or son’s later consumption.
- Get into the conversation! Talk to your son or daughter about their reasons for drinking and their experiences – both positive and negative. Keep an open and approachable mind.
- Educate your daughter or son about the dangers and effects of drinking too much alcohol without lecturing.
- Strict alcohol bans are of no use – they are unrealistic. Instead, strive for a conscious and, if possible, sensible approach to alcohol.
- Make sure that the regulations for the protection of minors are observed in your environment and that children are not encouraged to drink (“The boy is already grown up. One beer won’t hurt him!”).
- If you have the feeling that your child’s consumption is getting out of hand, talk to a counseling center.
