As counsel for the two alcohol awareness and minor in possession (MIP) classes I often asked my younger students drink how much peer or using illegal drugs. Would it surprise you that my adolescent students believe more than 90% of their peers have used alcohol or other drugs in 30 days? It is the average of all the classes that I teach.
It could be argued that we hang around those most like us and that my students had at least one problem of alcohol or other drugs that their friends and their colleagues do so. The foundation of this thought goes further than you think.
What is your Perception?
Regardless of what age you take a moment to reflect on all those you interact with, including collaborators, members of your church or other social congregation, even the parents of your son baseball team. If you are a teenager, reflect not only your peers, but all adults with which you interact. Make sure that you include teachers, coaches, friends of your parents, aunts, uncles and cousins (even younger).
On what percentage of these people you know drinking alcohol or drugs? What percentage do you think use these substances? More that probably the first group, those who you know, is a group smaller than you think.
Adolescents are wide of the mark!
A recent survey among eighth-grade students showed that they estimated that 15% of their peers had an alcoholic beverage last month, when only 10% reported to have soaked in this period. Ninth graders were even more off the coast of the mark with them believing that 50% of their peers had consumed a drink alcoholic during the 30 days when only 20% reported that they did.
The darker perspective among the ninth graders is perhaps that they estimated that 40% of their peers had used marijuana in the course of the month. The number of reports to have used marijuana in the 30 days was 10%.
Are the reality of Perceptions?
Which is certainly not a question of rhetoric. Perceptions are beliefs and convictions are powerful. While the perception is not reality, they help create and redefine the reality and what is right and wrong.
These perceptions can have powerful effects. Focus groups have shown that belief adolescents drink "all their peers" can triple the rate of alcohol consumption in a given place. As the impression that almost everyone drinks became ubiquitous, adolescents and society became more tolerant of its consumption.
This is exactly why we need stronger campaigns against the consumption of alcohol among teenagers. We cannot let the notion that drinking teen is going to happen we may as well accept the standard. In addition to public campaigns, there is alcohol awareness classes that can help redirect your thoughts on alcohol use in a lit light.
Parents of Neptune, the children of March
Another perception, which is in reality is that a misperception is the belief of the parents that they were clearly outlined their position on alcohol. In a recent survey, 95% of parents responded that they had clearly defined their relationship with the expectations of the use of alcohol. In fact, the survey revealed that only the ¾ of teen understood what was expected of them relating to the use of the alcohol.
There is no doubt that parents and teens may be miles apart in perceptions and beliefs. The key is to maintain a constant flow of dialogue with your child. Make sure they know that you do not tolerate alcohol. After your parenting plan is for you.
Remember, alcohol is a drug and its use should be strictly controlled. If you or someone you know is suffering from an alcohol problem please ask for help. The groups online.
Mike Miller is the Director of education to the class of alcohol online, a website specialized on the online alcohol awareness classes and minor in possession classes.
0 comments:
Post a Comment