Educating Young Drinkers

The media often portrays young people as vulnerable, and attempts to educate them about alcohol misuse have often been counterproductive. Educating Young Drinkers, published in 1991, suggests an activity-based primary intervention with young people as a possible solution. The book emphasizes the political and theoretical assumptions made in devising health education policies and is valuable for social scientists, policy makers, and teachers working with young people.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Young individuals are frequently portrayed as being particularly susceptible to the influence of the media, which can sometimes exaggerate this vulnerability. In the early 1990s, they became a focal point of public concern regarding alcohol misuse. However, attempts to educate teenagers about responsible alcohol consumption have often yielded unintended consequences. The question remains: what approach should alcohol education adopt to achieve effective outcomes?

Educating Young Drinkers, originally published in 1991, provides valuable insights into the reasons behind the lack of success in previous alcohol education initiatives. The book focuses on an activity-based primary intervention with young people as a potential solution. Authored by Gellisse Bagnall, the program was developed in collaboration with school teachers and designed to be easily implemented in classrooms. The evaluation of the results of this experiment revealed that non-didactic alcohol education can be effective when implemented correctly.

In addition to its relevance to social scientists and policy makers, Educating Young Drinkers is also valuable for teachers and anyone working with young people. The book emphasizes the political and theoretical assumptions underlying health education policies, providing insights into the broader context in which alcohol education is situated. By examining these assumptions, the book offers valuable perspectives to those involved in developing and implementing alcohol education programs.

Overall, Educating Young Drinkers is a seminal work that contributes to our understanding of alcohol education and its potential to promote responsible alcohol consumption among young people. Its insights and recommendations are still relevant today, and it serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve the outcomes of alcohol education initiatives.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032608648