The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that binge drinking among young women aged 18 to 34 continues at a crazy rate.
1 in 8 young women consuming four or more drinks in a single sitting. That’s a lot of young women doing a lot of drinking.
I just wonder how much of the promiscuity problems that exist with young women, especially on college campuses is directly related to drinking. I know this isn’t a revolutionary thought but I’d bet that many young women know that there’s a problem with casually hooking up whether it’s moral or disease related. But what’s the message most receive about drinking? Don’t drink and drive. That’s pretty much it.
I can remember a handful of girls in college who were absolutely serious and willing to take a strong stand to prevent their friends from drinking and driving. But they would never take a stand to warn friends off from casual hookups which could have several deleterious consequences including a body count. Why? I suspect that they feel societal support for admonishing friends for drinking and driving but none against casual sex.
As a parent of four daughters and a son I find myself thinking about colleges even though I’ve got a bit to wait. While I know that teaching sexual morality is important it’s also crucial to warn them about drinking.
We have to give our kids the support to make the right decision. Don’t expect that the colleges are going to do any of the work for you. Dorms are treated by many colleges including Catholic ones as free for all zones. It’s like a sexual Lord of the Flies behind the walls.
Give your kids the facts. And choose their college carefully.
