According to an NGO survey, nearly 85% of youth indulging in drinking were between 14 - 21 years. In Delhi, pubs are hosting liquor parties. DNA tries to get to the bottom of the trend of alcohol abuse.
Expert view
Consumption has got social sanction now
This is the reality, that even after strict laws prohibiting underage alcohol consumption, adolescents consume liquor with great gusto. It worries me that despite the harmful effects the trend is increasing. The reason for the tendency among minors has various factors. Firstly the culture is changing; it has become fashionable to have drinks at parties or celebrations. Even in the presence of children. In this way, children get accustomed to watching their parents and elders drinking alcohol and think that the consumption raises their status in society. Sometimes parents think that it is better for children to drink in their presence, than consume liquor behind their back. In this way parents initiate them and encourage the practice. Secondly youngsters feel refreshed if they have drinks in the evening, they believe it will drive away their fatigue. They find so much pleasure in it that they ignore harmful effects of alcoholism. But in reality, alcoholism is a disease. All varieties of liquor invariably cause harm. Even expensive and imported brands cause harmful effects. Moreover alcoholism is increasing among minors, because adults lack awareness about side effects.
—Gauri Karkhanis, psychologist, Kripa Foundation
Parents are generous with pocket money
According to me, there are three reasons mainly responsible for youngsters taking to alcohol. Firstly there is a huge amount of stress, as children are expected to excel in everything and they are unable to cope up with the pressure. Secondly money is easily available to them today. Children start working at an early age and they spend their income at will. Many parents are generous and don’t bother checking where their allowance is spent. Thirdly there is social pressure. So just to appear ‘cool’, children start drinking at an early age. I have spoken to many youngsters and they confessed that they don’t necessarily like the taste, but nevertheless they consume it.
—Dimple Jhaveri, parent
Festivity can be fun without alcohol
Parents are usually in a catch 22 situation these days. They cannot be too lenient or excessively strict. The children are mature to figure out where they should draw the line. They should know their limit and also they need to have their own individuality, rather than follow their friends. It’s difficult for growing kids to resist getting involved in something that their entire group is doing. Pubs and discotheque owners need to be strict while serving alcohol to underage youth. It’s really startling to know that pubs in metros these days are holding whisky parties for school students. Children should understand that partying can be a lot of fun without alcohol.
—Kamlesh Trivedi, parent
Exposure to foreign cultures makes people flaunt high life
If not in pubs, today youngsters consume alcoholic beverages at home and private parties. Since partying has become a common thing for teenagers, it will involve drinking and smoking. The entire culture has changed and probably westernisation is one of the reasons. Today there is tremendous access via television or internet. Exposure to foreign cultures impel people to believe that they must flaunt the high life. However, I don’t believe in following such trends. We often have parties, but we don’t consume alcohol. I think the circle of friends is important. None of my friends indulge in drinking or smoking.
—Russell Shah, 20
Guardians need to keep a tab on children’s activities
A person’s upbringing is important. The whole idea of hanging out with friends and partying on weekends is slowly changing with youngsters. There is bound to be peer pressure, but one must be determined not to give in to any pressure and stick to what they think is right. Also drunken driving is one issue that is also on the rise. If people are merely having a drink to celebrate some occasion, then it’s fine. But children below 18 years need to keep their parents or guardians in the loop. One needs to act responsibly despite indulging in any such things. Parents need to keep a tab on their children’s activities.
—Bhavna Manral, 23
Pubs, discotheques simply want to make money
Today, social drinking has become very common among youngsters. Underage parties are common because, it is easy to get fake identity cards. Hence we cannot blame pubs and hotels, nevertheless, we cannot discount the fact that many bars and hotels don’t check for identity proof, since making money is their prime motto. Youngsters want to rebel against their parents, therefore they get into such things. Some even want to show off among their peer group and want to grow up before their time. Parents are partly responsible for such behaviour, since they put too many restrictions on them and children always tend to rebel against the curbs.
—Cherag Elavia, 19
Youngsters don’t consider consequences of such acts
I don’t think such parties are popular in the city. Although I’m sure youngsters won’t have qualms participating in them, if such functions are organised. There could be various reasons for such trends being popularised among youngsters. Some do it due to peer pressure; others want their friends to consider them ‘cool’. Many will also get into such activities to defy their parents and do something different from their boring routine. When one is young, people choose not to reason out things or see the consequences. Such activities give them an adrenaline rush and they become party to such getogethers without giving a second thought.
—Esha Mhatre 20
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