A massive cultural change is happening, especially among young Australians who are drinking less and enjoying it less. This trend is a positive indicator of a growing awareness of the health risks associated with drinking, especially among people under 18. As argued by Ian Hickie and other experts, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption for this young and vulnerable age cohort. He points out the key role that brain development plays during these crucial formative years.
1. That’s an incredible statistic. Only around a third of young Australians drink alcohol these days, a remarkable reversal from the astronomical 70% in 2001 among those aged 14 to 17. As the federal government has more recently recognized, this decline reflects a global trend. Wealthier nations such as Sweden and the UK have experienced similar declines in youth drinking rates.
Craig Martin, an educator and advocate for youth alcohol and drug awareness, credits this change to growing recognition of alcohol’s harmful effects. His argument rests on the belief that the only acceptable goal should be zero drinking by people under age 18. Actually reaching this target is far from an easy feat.
The Impact of Education on Youth Drinking Habits
Youth drinking habits are undergoing significant changes as well. This change is primarily the result of better education on the dangers of alcohol. Craig Martin discusses the importance of comprehensive health education as an important health factor in guiding teens’ decisions to drink or not.
According to Martin, “The goal should be zero percent of under 18s consuming alcohol, and we’re far from that.” This latest call to action serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing preventive initiatives and targeted education efforts focused on our nation’s youth.
For 15-year-old Mikaela, she says class discussions have a huge impact in educating her peers about the dangers of alcohol. She states, “There has been … less influence towards that kind of stuff [alcohol] in my personal group of people.” The more teenagers who speak out against the dangers of alcohol, the more valuable knowledge they obtain. This understanding, in turn, allows them to make safer, more informed decisions.
Alex, a 14-year-old, echoes this sentiment, saying, “I’m being told, ‘Don’t drink. It’s poison, it is basically a drug.’” What he’s found helped the most to change his friends’ attitudes towards alcohol was having consistent, complementary communications at school.
Brain Development and Mental Health Risks
Even the experts such as Ian Hickie have been doing everything to stress this important connection between our alcohol consumption and our brain development. “When you’re young, particularly between 12 and 25, your brain is growing and developing,” Hickie says. He cautions that consuming alcohol during this important time can adversely affect your decision making skills. It might be one of the reasons your mental health is suffering.
According to scientific studies, people who begin drinking before age 18 are more likely to suffer from mental health disorders in adulthood. This underscores the protective value of postponing alcohol use throughout adolescence. Victor, a 19-year-old, reflects on these concerns by stating, “Obviously it [drinking alcohol] is going to mess up some important functions in the brain and it will probably affect their future.”
Our teens are making smart, informed choices and becoming more aware of these risks. For example, one of Mikaela’s friends advocates for a safer environment by spreading awareness to fellow classmates about the risks tied to underage drinking. She adds that education has been key in creating this consciousness among her classmates.
Cultural Influences and Sporting Events
Even with the drop in alcohol use among youth, cultural factors continue to have a significant impact on drinking patterns. Socialising and drinking are highly correlated for many young Australians, especially when it comes to activities related to sport. Victor notes that “mainly at sporting events there’s a lot of people drinking,” highlighting how deeply entrenched alcohol is within Australian culture.
Jamie adds that media representation contributes to this culture, stating, “There’s probably a bit of a media presence as well, promoting alcohol sometimes in sports betting ads.” This constant exposure can lead to an atmosphere where alcohol is normalized to a large degree among youth.
Lissama and Atipa, both 18, both respond that drinking is considered a natural part of Australian culture. Lissama says that when foreigners imagine Australia, they typically picture moments that include beer drinking. Atipa further remarks on the public nature of drinking culture by stating, “Pub culture and, like, just whenever you go out to find people you have drinks.”
Even now, many young people are still dealing with cultural expectations. At the same time, millions more are deciding to quit alcohol for good.
