Teen Binge Drinking: Article Analysis

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Participants were randomly allocated to an education and usual care group or to a 24-week home-based program of physical activity. This article discusses the dangers associated with teen binge drinking and preventive actions that can be taken by parents. The author looks at why teens are binge drinking, the risks associated with binge drinking, and what parents can do to deter their teens from binge drinking. A large percentage of teens are binge drinking. The large majority of the time, when a teen is drinking they’re partaking in binging. Teens are in a transitional stage, making them emotionally and physically vulnerable. This in conjunction with the fact that teens are looking for a rebellious way to break free from authority and forge …show more content…

The argument that teens are binge drinking because it is a rite of passage is a fair explanation, but is followed by the somewhat condescending remark that “Developmentally teens remain in that imaginary stage that ‘bad stuff can 't happen to me because I am invincible.’" (Lohmann, 2013, p. 84). The author then goes on to give reasons a teen “may” give as to why they drink, this is similarly presumptuous and backed up by nothing more than the author’s opinion. This informal article seems to appeal to the emotions of parents; being fairly sensational regarding the risks associated with teen drinking, and at one point referring to alcohol as “liquid toxin” (Lohmann, 2013, p.84). This article provides some good information for parents, but may also be misleading in the extent to which parents should question their teens in such a confronting manner as is detailed in the “four essential questions” (Lohmann, 2013, p. 86). This article presents information that parents specifically can utilise when talking about underage drinking with their kids. The author discusses the prevalence of early age alcohol use in America, the risks associated with underage drinking, and the factors affecting the risk of developing a drinking problem. …show more content…

It does this without being sensational or using opinion instead of research. When discussing the reasons that adolescents might be drinking the article presents a neurological reason supported by research, as opposed to the author’s opinion on why this may be occurring. The article is formal, but uses common language that is easy to understand. Another good thing about this article is that it gives parents suggestions on positive ways to have a reciprocal conversation with your child. One criticism might be that the article was quite repetitive at times, restating the same risks numerous

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