[earl237]

I've noticed that binge drinking among teens and young adults is a much larger problem in North America and the United kingdom than in Europe. Part of the problem is that in the U.K. and North America, there is a zero tolerance attitude about alcohol and teens and parents expect their kids never to have a drink until they reach the age of majority. This is unrealistic and just makes alcohol more appealing to kids and leads to binge drinking at parties with other kids. In European countries however, such as France, Italy and Germany, (I'm half German), parents give small amounts of beer or wine to their children with supper. This is a good practice, because kids learn about drinking responsibly and they don't feel the need to binge drink with their friends when they are older. There would be much less binge drinking among teens and young adults if European attitudes were practiced here.

[Fr_Chuck]

Not sure what part of the US you are comparing this to, everyone I know allows their children small amounts, I was given beer in a baby bottle to cure many ills, and wine was for the asking in all families in my community to anyone.

I feel binge drinking is a problem in the US, because kids are spoiled and have no concern about their actions

[Nestorian]

Good point. I've read this in a socialogical text book. I some what agree. It is a dangerous gamble though as there is a lot of people drinking too much as is, and if they showed their children drinking was fine then drinking too much was fine, well then we'd be going back wards. I don't know if people are that responsible to drink maybe one drink with dinner and not 5-6 in a few hours.

I've watched an add on binge drinking, YouTube - Binge Drinking, this next one is kind of funny; still so very sad but true: YouTube - VCCP - Binge drinking ad female version

Alcohol is hard on the system, and if you drink too much, it is a self stupidifying act. But how much is too much? Alcohol Poisoning Take a boo, you just might be scared? Ok surprised.

Peace and kindness be with you.

[earl237]

Pretty scary videos. I'm also from Canada and some of my friends went to Queen's. The homecoming parties there were so disruptive to the community that the school cancelled homecoming for the next two years at least. It was a great move by the school. The area in town where students rent apartments is known as the "student Ghetto" and I wouldn't go there at night. The kids act like drunken, immature fools and the residents were fed up. I'm not saying we were angels when we were teens, but there was always a certain line we wouldn't cross and now that line seems to be gone.

[Silverfoxkit]

I agree. The strictness of it only makes much more appealing, and makes them think its cooler.

Warning: The following is not for the faint of heart. Skip the rest of this post if you have a week stomach.

A few months back my sister-in-law and her husband came across a car wreck on their way home. After calling 911 they went to the over-turned vehicle to try and help. It was a Friday night and the victims were all ages 15-18, drinking, no set belts. My sister-in law tried to help the girls in thr back seat stay calm and still until the ambulance arrived. Her husband would not allow her to come around to the front of the vehicle which was against a large tree. The driver, just a kid, had been almost completely decapitated, the front seat passenger was pinned and crushed from the hip down. Later when the paramedics tried to move him he died almost immediately.

Do I think this could have been prevented if the parents had taught responsible drinking instead of making it taboo. Asbolutely.

[Nestorian]

I'm of polish/german, and scottish/english origin. Who knew eh? This is some of what I know, from german. Haha.
Ich habin einen bruder. Du bist habin einen bruder? I think that's how they go, I'ts bin a long time since I've spoken german.
Das muchten zie?
Sprechen zie Duetch? Not sure on that one either haha.

Back to the Alcohol thing. About that line, man... Where has it gone. No one has any respect, honor, or compation. We've just become slaves to our inner most desires. It's not just alcohol or drugs either, it's a lot of the things we want but don't appreciate. YouTube - Forecast Earth In Depth: David Suzuki Like David Suzuki says, "They are Externalities!" This is what things are that get in the way of our dreams of having big fancy houses, 4 cars, thoughsands of useless clothes in the closet, 5 T.V.s in a house that stay on all day, hour long showers, an over flowing garbage bin each weak, the expencive Tiolet papper, and much more. It just seems like no one cares about these kinds of things, because "we don't have any reason to."

We have more time to do things, and so we fill it by killing our brain cells, and becoming self stupidifying creatures. Back to the days of cave men if you ask me. I won't go out as I live in a city where people just smash stuff for no reason. Just the other day some one busted up the plastic bumper on my car, then the week before some one else ripped down my fence and I have no idea how. People are walking up and down the streets hollering at all hours of the morning, keeping me up even on week days. Man that drives me nuts.

I don't know, people like to be stupid I guess. Should put them in a jail cell for the murder and cruelty of their brain cells. I s'pose I'm no better. I've done that too, well not the fence and car thing, nor the week day thing... Lame. What could our society do with out over steping "the freedom" rights. People will choose what they feel/thing is best, but what is reasonable? When people are incapable of reasoning...

I guess this is our fate. “You never know what is enough, until you know what is more than enough.” ~William Blake, Proverbs of Hell