Bellarmine Convert: Culture Clash
Sarah Botha
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: Entertainment
So what does a lower drinking age breed? I believe that culturally it makes older 18 year olds. I feel that when you're entering university, you are taking responsibility for not only your education but also the rest of your future. So at this age when you've already been driving and are entering the adult portion of your life, learning how to handle alcohol responsibly is key. Yet, more people here drink and drive in America than back home and often this happens at parties where they've been drinking illegally and need to get home. Tell me how is this responsible?
When speaking to a few of the other international students about the drinking culture in their countries a few similarities emerged. The drinking of a glass of wine with a meal is encouraged from even before they are legal. This then breeds a healthier relationship with alcohol because it isn't something that's forbidden and hidden.
Of course there will always be people who abuse alcohol and binge drink but not on the same scale as I've witnessed here in America. Remember that term, 'Social drinking'? Well this is what's normal for us- going out for a relaxed drink at a bar and then maybe going out to a club to dance. Drinking publicly also means that you control your alcohol intake better than you would at a party. Now, I don't believe that all Americans lack control when it comes to drinking. Just rather it comes later when you've been legal for a while and alcohol becomes less sinful and more of a strain on your student budget.
Okay, so do I think that lowering the drinking age tomorrow will suddenly change the binge drinking culture here? No. The attitude towards alcohol is to ingrained for an immediate turn around to occur. It's the attitude itself that needs to change because the law won't. The house parties where you got wasted aren't what are going to define your experience at collage but the things you did while intoxicated may.
When speaking to a few of the other international students about the drinking culture in their countries a few similarities emerged. The drinking of a glass of wine with a meal is encouraged from even before they are legal. This then breeds a healthier relationship with alcohol because it isn't something that's forbidden and hidden.
Of course there will always be people who abuse alcohol and binge drink but not on the same scale as I've witnessed here in America. Remember that term, 'Social drinking'? Well this is what's normal for us- going out for a relaxed drink at a bar and then maybe going out to a club to dance. Drinking publicly also means that you control your alcohol intake better than you would at a party. Now, I don't believe that all Americans lack control when it comes to drinking. Just rather it comes later when you've been legal for a while and alcohol becomes less sinful and more of a strain on your student budget.
Okay, so do I think that lowering the drinking age tomorrow will suddenly change the binge drinking culture here? No. The attitude towards alcohol is to ingrained for an immediate turn around to occur. It's the attitude itself that needs to change because the law won't. The house parties where you got wasted aren't what are going to define your experience at collage but the things you did while intoxicated may.
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