Minorities and Binge Drinking

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Dr. Henry Wechsler conducted a research study on the subject of college binge drinking. The objective throughout his entire course study was to examine college students and their correlation with binge drinking. Reading Wechsler’s statistical research, it was hard to believe that some of his statements were true such as, “Each of the following variables- being male, white and single- elevated the risk of binging; somewhat smaller effects were noted for having at least one parent who had earned a college degree.” (Wechsler922) Oddly enough, this “statistical claim” did not make any sense towards me. Would it have changed if the man were Hispanic instead of White? In my opinion, yes, however, Megan Oglivie, a Harvard student, quotes in an article Harvard Study Finds Binge Drinking LessFrequent on Diverse Campuses, “White male college students may be less likely to binge drink at institutions with higher percentages of minority, female and older students…” (Oglivie1) Megan also quotes from Wechsler explaining the statistic of approximately two of every five students is considered to be a binge-drinker, which also varies among student sub-groups. Race, ethnicity and sex play beneficial factors for binge drinking. Since those particular demographics were related to binge drinking, one could only question when the individual started to drink alcohol.

Being from a Hispanic family, I know I was introduced to alcohol at a very young age. However, I don’t necessarily agree that it would make any one else less or more prone to becoming a binge drinker. However, I agree with Wechsler’s conclusive paragraph, which entailed to holding interventions in high school about preventing alcohol consumption below the age of 21. “Age played a modest role in predicting binge drinking in this sample, with the legal drinking age being of almost no predictive value.” (Wechsler922) Every variable that shadowed each sex, single, was as they say, at the top of the food chain. They were much more prone to becoming binge drinkers unless at least one of their parents had earned a college degree. Gaining from the articles and studies I have read, they all mention that single white males who did not binge drink in high school would be peer pressured into binge drinking in college within their first year.

 In spite of this, prevention programs can alleviate binge drinking if they are exposed to students at a very young age. Being a Cubana, if I was introduced to alcohol awareness at an early age, I would have been aware of the toll it takes on your body and your health. Hispanic families are filled with rich foods, close families and excessive amounts of booze. “Drinking is a behavior that takes place in a context and whatever the context, people are influenced by the environment that they are drinking in,” said Dr. Alan Berkowitz. So as a young girl, being around her family, I only thought it was normal to drink. Sure, I knew abusing it wasn’t the right way but drinking with my family was. Wechsler stated, “public health research might focus on alternative activities and programs that would lower rates of binge drinking or weaken the link between binge drinking and adverse health outcomes.” (Wechsler926)

I am Latina and the first time I binge drank was when I was 16 years of age. If I knew then what I know now, I would understand how much alcohol, let alone binge drinking, ruins your health and your body. On a more positive note, statistics show that binge drinking in high school is in decline, which then only means that college binge drinking will lessen. Despite the minorities, American colleges also contain plenty of variables that lead to binge drinking. In which examined the extent to which background factors, previous experience with alcohol, school and school related activities, views on drinking, and participation in other high risk behaviors other than binging are related to binge drinking. Arguably, binge drinking is the number one public health hazard and also the number one preventable illness for American college students including minorities. All in all, binge drinking within minorities start at a much earlier age than the white male would. As Megan, a student from Harvard, quoted doctors from her article claiming that it all matters where the individual is and who surrounds him or her.

For other resourceful links:
College Drinking Prevention