Effects Of Alcohol Consumption On The Uk - 1630 Words

Alcohol consumption in the UK has a clear tradition of having moderate and heavy drinking as seen in Plant and Plant s (2006) analysis of trends in alcohol consumption. It is also notable that most concerns about levels of alcohol consumption is directed particularly towards young people which most consider to be a link to crime and anti-social behaviour. As a result, there is no denying that a stigma has been attached to young people and alcohol. In the UK, general consumption is on a rise. Data from the British Beer and Pub Association (2006) indicate that the level of alcohol consumed has been rising over the last 50 years. There are noticeable differences in patterns of alcohol consumption in accordance with age. The highest level†¦show more content†¦That is part of the social and adult norms within a wide cultural setting. However, Hackley et al., (2013) after conducting Bakhtinian analysis into the importance of alcohol in young people s social life, strongly sug gested that due to alarming statistics on alcohol related harm being on the rise and continue to rise , alcohol in the UK should be decreased. On top of this, in a summary of their findings, they stated that the activities conducted whilst intoxicated where not necessarily pleasurable and caused problems for parents, police and other public services. As a result this could indicate that the stigma around young people and alcohol could be rightly deserved. On the other hand, the researchers also admitted to there being a purposive drinking behaviour which was far from mindless but was used as a social function that deepened friendships through shared experiences. This further supports Wrights theory that adolescents drinking alcohol is part of social and adult norms. Unfortunately, this evidence does not suggest that the stigma attached to alcohol and adolescents is undeserved as the study also indicated that the alcohol consumed by young people is related to harm. Further evidence against the stigma associated with young people and alcohol comes from May (1992) who stated that