ALCOHOL
Teetotal teens fake drinking to fit in
Young people who do not consume alcohol often feel isolated in an environment where their choice is constantly questioned by their peers.
Keeping a full glass in their hand so it looks like they're drinking: teetotal teenagers use tricks like this to avoid attracting attention. | Photo: Kelsey Chance/Unsplash
For the first time in Switzerland, a study has looked at the consumption of alcohol from the perspective of young people who don’t drink. According to the results, this minority, representing between eight and 17 percent of 15-24 year olds, often feels judged and isolated, and would deserve more visibility. “International data shows that there are increasingly more young people who don’t drink. We wanted to know what it’s like in Switzerland, a country with a strong wine culture”, says Yara Barrense-Dias, the researcher responsible for the study at Unisanté, University of Lausanne.
The research team recruited 63 young people and divided them into groups based on gender, age, and drinking habits. When asked about their representations of those who do or don’t drink, they revealed that there is a form of hierarchy among reasons for not drinking. While religious or driving-related motivations are generally accepted without judgement, other justifications, such as taste, fear of losing control, respect for the legal drinking age, or past bad experiences, often raise questions and social pressure.
There is a sense of incomprehension that pushes some young people to avoid parties where there is alcohol or to develop strategies to hide their non-drinking, such as lying or holding a glass.
The study’s conclusions have been passed on to organisations responsible for prevention in schools to adapt their programmes and create greater visibility around the choice not to drink alcohol. “We need to normalise not drinking alcohol by accepting that all reasons for not drinking are good. These young people need to know they’re not alone”, says Barrense-Dias.
