Student Binge Drinking

Fraternities sport parties and local drinking holes offer cheap drinks. Younger students find someone to purchase alcohol for private parties. Should college students be able to drink at age 18 or should they be 21? Some say that increasing the age to 21 encourages underground drinking parties with no limitation. At least bars can limit drinks to those who are abusing the situation. Others say that 18 year olds are too young to understand the consequences of drinking. But do those that abuse alcohol at any age thoroughly understand the possible consequences?

Some parents have been very strict about drinking prior to college. Often those students are using alcohol for the first time and don't really know how it could impact their lives. Other parents looked the other way. Some of those students will abuse alcohol and some will already have learned or understand why they should not be binge drinkers.

Often, culture prior to college does play a big part in drinking choices. In the midwest, drinking is more popular for the average teen than using drugs. Sometimes kids in small towns are not close to fun activities and they tend to make their own. Often these activities include drinking.

College students, no matter what, must be taught responsible drinking habits. Peer pressure plays a big role in binge drinking as students don't want to appear different that their friends. Often it doesn't matter the age or past life styles of the student. If grades begin to suffer because of drinking, students, colleges and parents must be on top of the cause.

Just who is responsible for the safety and changing culture of college students?

Parents are responsible for teaching students that drinking can have life-long and tragic consequences. One bad decision of driving while drunk or riding with a drunk driver can cause immediate death or long-term disability. Students often end up in fights and can be taken to jail and a laundry list of criminal acts will be on their record. This is a negative impact for future job and career situations. Also, no parent wants to send their child off to college, only to have them killed in an automobile accident. After all the work, money, love and care they've given their child, no parent wants to receive the call that their child is dead or disabled permanently.

Bars are responsible if people are in car accidents on the way home from the bar. Often they will not let alcohol impaired persons have additional drinks. Fraternities can make important guidelines for students. If they choose good action, students may learn to drink responsibly. Colleges also must set certain rules and guidelines.

Social drinking is common as students come to college, and, throughout their lives. At the same time, as an adult doing business, it is not beneficial to binge drink when you are working with customers. The college learning experience of making good choices with drinking can be a guideline for an entire career of dealing with customers, bosses, friends and foes.