“YOU BECOME REALLY CLOSE…YOU TALK ABOUT THE SILLY THINGS YOU DID, AND WE LAUGH”: THE ROLE OF BINGE DRINKING IN FEMALE SECONDARY STUDENTS’ LIVES

Abstract

In Australia, negative attitudes regarding young women's drinking have eased, drinking is on the increase, and there are heightened concerns about ‘heavy’ or ‘binge’ drinking. In a climate where underage drinking is frequently considered undesirable, campaigns aimed at reducing ‘heavy’ alcohol use have failed. This article takes as its departure point the notion that alcohol plays a meaningful role in social lives and relationships. It is through the use of narrative that these young women make sense of their drinking, which is still stigmatized. Any harm encountered along the way tends to be filtered through the ‘good story,’ brimming with tales of fun, adventure, bonding, sex, gender transgressions, and relationships. Nevertheless, these women implemented their own practical harm minimization strategies, and it is here that professionals can gain a foothold and assist young people and help them to drink more safely.

• Alcohol
• Female students
• Harm minimization
• Social construction
• Qualitative research