Parents And Other Adults Use Alcohol example essay topic

The definition of 'infatuate' in the Oxford Dictionary is: 'affect person with extreme folly'; 'inspire with extravagant passion'. This sounds very much like a definition of a teenager. Teenagers are known for their folly - thoughtlessness, foolishness and rashness. And quite often they get away with it while adults will not, just because of their age.

Teenagers are even better known for the extravagant passion they put into activities, i.e. sport, the opposite sex, friends, themselves, partying, music and movies. Yes, I would say teenagers are infatuated with life itself. Unfortunately the two main aspects of infatuation also highlight the negative issues in so many teenagers' lives. Their folly and their passion sometimes lead them to do things they wouldn't normally consider doing, like substance abuse and careless sex. Gone are the days when a teenager's birthday party was celebrated by going to the movies with a few close friends. Nowadays they throw massive parties without adult supervision.

Everyone attending the party will surely enjoy themselves, all they need is that key ingredient, guaranteed to make them more beautiful and more confident; alcohol. Many young people believe that the success of a party is measured by how much alcohol is available. They will simply not attend a party unless they are ensured that they can get their hands on some alcohol. They have become infatuated with this seemingly 'all powerful substance'.

What many teenagers are not aware of is where unreasoning love for alcohol will lead them. Unfortunately, they do not see that this wonderful concoction has many negative consequences and can cause severe problems in their futures. Some teenagers are lucky, they will experiment and stop, or continue to drink occasionally without significant problems, but many others will develop an addiction. Drinking often makes people do stupid and embarrassing things, which they later regret. They develop poor judgement, which may put them at risk of careless accidents, violence, suicide and unplanned and unsafe sex. Resulting pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases can change, or even worse, end lives.

Most teens are aware of the negative impact alcohol has on their lives yet they continue to abuse this substance. So, why do they continue to drink? Adolescence is a time for trying new things and experimenting. Teens use alcohol and other drugs for many reasons, including curiosity, because it feels good, to reduce stress, to feel grown up or to fit in.

From a very young age, children are bombarded with advertising messages depicting beautiful, young adults enjoying and 'loving' life - and alcohol. This glamorous portrayal of alcohol may not directly be targeting teenagers and children, but it can still affect them. Many parents and other adults use alcohol socially, having beer or wine with dinner, for example. In this setting, alcohol seems harmless enough, so many teens may think, "Why not?".