Consumption of Alcohol by young Australians: Consumerism, Emerging social trends and changing interpersonal factors (Term Paper Sample)

Alcohol Consumption by Young Australians
Name
Institution
Introduction
Alcohol consumption among young Australians in the recent past is consistently increasing (NDSHS).according to the national drug strategy household survey; the initiation age for alcohol consumption has been decreasing yearly. The report also indicate that, over the last ten years, the number of youth aged 14 years who have taken alcohol and related drinks doubles that of the young people aged 20 to 29 years. Moreover, the report indicates that, at the age of 18 years, more than 50% of males and females have become risky alcoholics. This is a worrying trend because alcohol consumption expose the youth to a couple of dangers such as intoxication, health, legal and social problems (Cotterrel, 2013). This discussion will, therefore, seek to explore the rate of alcohol consumption among young Australians, the factors promoting alcoholisms, possible solutions and a conclusion on the matter.
Factors promoting alcohol consumption among the youth in Australia
Consumerism
Culture is the main determinant of the way people live, interact, believe and act in every human society. It is also what gives people a window through which they perceive and regularly change perspective of things around them. The 21st century is characterized by a number of emerging cultural dynamics which potentially influence the way people live in the contemporary world. Consumerism is a recent phenomenon brought about by increased capitalism and globalization. The advent of consumerism, as a part of culture in many societies of the world, has seen many social fabrics altered in a way that differs from the past. Consumerism has led to the commodification of social life among the young people in their quest for happiness and meaning, in life. As such, consumerism has led the young people to drink as a way of differentiating themselves from other peers. More importantly, the young people courtesy of consumerism see alcohol consumptions as new rites of passage amid the non-linear transition to adult life. Lastly, consumerism creates a consistent sense of dissatisfaction which in relation to alcohol consumption by the youth comes about through the emphasis of ever-increasing new products (Agustinelli & Grube, 2002).
Emerging social trends and changing interpersonal factors
Over the recent past, there have been tremendous changes in the social sphere of life among many societies in the world. These changes with no doubt have far reaching implications to the young people and their drinking patterns. The family and its structures have significantly changed over years, marriage occur later in life among many people, get fewer children and others with no children, and as such create room for other social activities such as drinking. The family setting is now different from the way it used be long ago. Many young Australians were raised by baby boomers who have or rather subscribed to less authoritarian views regarding alcoholism, and it is why the drinking rate among young Australians is increasing. Moreover, the role of women in many societies, Australia included has been changing. Nowadays, women participate in work that requires them to dedicate many of their time too. Unlike in the past where women used to take care of domestic chores, the women of today pursue their careers to later ages. As such the trend and socialization of the girl child has changed, and this is why the rate of alcohol consumption among young females in Australian has gone up. Religion is also another aspect of society which direct influence on some social behaviors such as drinking. Research indicate that religious affiliation in Australia has significantly gone down over the last decade, and as such, alcohol consumption among the youth has gone up as a way of compensating for deteriorating religious affiliation (Blocker, Fahey & Tyrrell, 2003). The culture of liberalism among parents within their homes is also another reason why alcohol consumption among the Australian youth has gone up. As parents drink around homestead, children get to access alcohol, and in some instances, some parents introduce children to alcohol to avoid social constraints.
Change of leisure and lifestyle
The last one to two decades has seen major shifts in the lifestyle of young people. Nowadays, many young people put a lot of emphasis on achieving a work life and less on achieving personal life. This has then led to the shift of lifestyle where risky drinking with peers is the order of the day. In the past, alcohol had a symbolic position in society, but the youth of today has used alcohol as a new dimension of developing and strengthening their social position among peers (Cotterrel, 2013). This is evident in the mere fact that when engaged in other leisure activities, the youth are less likely to drink alcohol than when they are not. Closely related to the increasing consumption of alcohol among young Australians is the notion of use of alcohol in celebrations. Birthdays and other social celebrations cannot occur now without alcoholic drinks. This has then led to the increasing alcohol consumption.
Market forces
In today’s consumer world, many young people find meaning of their lives in their various patterns of consumption, and which is often characterized by alcohol marketing. The range and nature of marketing, promotions, advertising, product development and branding are done so as to appeal to the young people. Globalization has brought about many technological and communication advancements which can easily been seen by young people. The exponential increase in internet promotions for alcohol; which are highly interactive and appealing to the young as well as the technologically savvy people play a fundamental role in alcohol consumption by the young people. More importantly, the marketing of alcohol products have taken a different dimension, such that products are branded and packaged in a way that resonates with the target audience. These include the emphasis on themes such as relaxation, romance, social acceptance, adventure and sexual themes. Such emphases on themes that affect the most have the tendency of promoting drinking among the youth (Agostinelli & Grube, 2002).
Legislative and policy factors
As a matter of fact, policy and legislative structures potentially affect the incorporation of alcohol to daily lives of people. It actually forms an integral part of the economic, social and cultural fabric of society; and can influence the perception of the young people regarding alcohol and the subsequent usage, and which is the case in Australia. The creation of licensed premises which allow for people over the age of eighteen years to drink is one of the legislative aspects which promote drinking among the young people. This is because while growing many young people wish to be part of the group that can drink in the licensed premises as a way of achieving social status. And once they qualify to drink the licensed premises, it becomes the order of the day and it is why there are an increasing number of young drinkers. The tolerance of society of toxic substances is one of the main factors why there is increasing consumption of alcohol by the young people. The use of local bars as a social gathering places also promotes drinking by the young people. This is because such tolerance gives the youth an impression that alcohol consumption is an integral part of society, and which is widely accepted. The Increased availability of alcohol products in various outlets such as supermarkets is one of the main factors as to why alcohol consumption by the youth is going up. Making available of alcohol products give room to the youth to drink as they wish as they can obtain alcohol without much difficulty.
Preventive strategies
Finding amicable solutions to the increasing rate of alcohol consumption by...