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As evidenced by the Facebook controversy earlier this year, drinking is a highly debated topic between college students and university administrators. Across the United States, schools come down on students who violate rules concerning the consumption of alcohol. Groups, most notably Greek organizations, have been shut down because of their refusal to comply with alcohol regulations. In extreme cases, students have been expelled from schools because of their behavior and dependency on alcohol in order to have fun in social situations.
Yet these consequences have not deterred students. Alcohol continues to play a dominant role in teenagers’ social lives. And though it is plain to see that accidents and illnesses do result from alcohol abuse, why does the United States look so unfavorably on the idea of underage drinking?
Clearly, it’s because there’s a law concerning underage drinking. I suppose my question truly is why is the drinking age so high? I’m not disturbed by it, but I began pondering this topic when I moved into Pepperdine’s London house last week. I’ve noticed that London, though there are undoubtedly exceptions, does not suffer from the same problems or controversies that we experience in the States when it comes to drinking.
At a church service I attended here last week, the pastor made an announcement that one of the Bible studies would meet at a pub after the service to discuss that morning’s message. This came as a shock to me, considering that going to a bar after church in the States might be considered hypocrisy.
Then I realized that going to the pubs in London is culturally acceptable, much more so than it is in the United States. Londoners use the pubs as gathering places, emphasizing that their time is to be spent there to catch up on one another’s lives over a pint of beer. In many ways, it is similar to meeting a friend for Starbucks in America. It’s just normal.
England isn’t the only place that has this casual view of drinking, either. In a variety of other European countries, including Italy and Spain, and even in countries in South America, such as Argentina and Chile, it is not unusual for wine to be offered as a beverage at meals to family members of all ages.
The drinking age is 18 in Europe, which may be another contributing factor to why fewer issues over alcohol consumption erupt. Many think that American students drink before they are 21 as some form of rebellion. In Europe, this problem is lessened because students begin to make their own choices at an earlier age.
Though it’s unsure why Americans struggle more with drinking than Europeans, it definitely seems that a difference does exist between abuses of alcohol in various countries.
Understanding that a problem exists is only the first step. Would changing the drinking age really alleviate problems, though? Or have teenagers gotten it so ingrained in their minds that drinking at a young age is something to be abused because of the culture they’ve grown up it?
The issue seems to be one of societal norms. In terms of how people were raised, in London, there isn’t as much of a rush to drink because by the time teenagers really want to, it is legal. There is less hiding out and being sneaky about drinking. In the United States, however, some argue there is a certain rush associated with breaking the law by drinking while underage.
Whatever the reason is or whatever cure would solve America’s alcohol epidemic, the point is that cultural differences exist, and they are very important to experience as well as comprehend. Understanding these differences allows for easier assimilation into another country, something I’m working on in my new home of London. Cheers!
Submitted 01-19-2006
MALIBU, CA
