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College Freshman and Underage Drinking

College years are hailed as the time of a person’s life, representing the escape from parental control, the freedom to do what you want when you want, and the years where you can still get away with acting a little immature before full-blown adulthood sets in. Unfortunately, with this newfound freedom, college freshmen often end up endangering themselves with underage drinking.

A recent survey reports that approximately 48% of all alcohol consumed by college students attending a four-year college is consumed by underage drinkers. Of those drinkers, a good portion are binge drinkers—meaning drinkers who consume between 4-5 drinks within two hours.

Why is underage drinking so inviting for freshman? There is a variety of reasons, one of which is a pack mentality: My friends are doing it, why can’t I? Drinking in a group, whether it is at a fraternity party or in the dorm, is often seen as a way to bond with a new set of people. For many freshmen, life away from their parents’ home means life away from their previous friends, so the search for new friends often takes precedent over school, at least in the beginning. Social drinking loosens the drinker up, inhibitions are relaxed, and individuals feel they can more freely acquaint themselves with their new peers under the guise of alcohol. However, something that may seem innocent—like having a beer or two with roommates—frequently leads to drinking games and binge drinking.

Another reason college students are so apt to drink is the easy accessibility to alcohol that penetrates college campuses. A 2001 survey showed that 23% of underage college students obtained alcohol from a parent or relative. Aside from relatives, older classmates and friends are frequent purchasers of alcohol for their younger peers. The inexpensive cost of beer allows for the easy flow of beer at fraternity and sorority parties, which are generally open to students of all ages.

Lastly, the environment surrounding the school’s setting directly affects how frequently and to what extent students imbibe. In areas where the adult binge-drinking rate is high, the student binge-drinking rate is also high. The same correlation occurs in areas where the adult binge-drinking rate is low. In college towns, bars are plentiful and it’s relatively easy to obtain a fake I.D., so underage drinkers can flock to the bars with their older peers.

Many colleges and universities around the country have created alcohol awareness programs to help combat the drinking problems found on and off campus. These programs are designed to teach and guide students on how to deal with alcohol-related issues. Numerous colleges have also banned alcohol from public events.

Although the efforts colleges have carried out thus far to help stop underage drinking is a start, more must be done to prevent underage drinking-related problems. By working with parents, educators, students, and the community, colleges can decrease underage drinking on and off campus.