2012 Research Design and Methods in Human Geography GEOG 315 SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENT
The University of Auckland New Zealand www.env.auckland.ac.nz
Project: Youth & Alcohol - A case study of Hawke’s Bay: Youth
perspectives on underage drinking & preventative measures
Student: Kelsey Carter
This is a brief summary of research undertaken by a student as part of The University of Auckland course ‘Research Design and Methods in Human Geography’. The information reports the findings of the student and does not reflect the opinion of The University of Auckland and may not be attributed to the University. Students in this course obtained valuable information and much support from individuals and organisations in Hawke’s Bay. In making this report available we are hoping to repay some of that generosity. This research project investigates underage drinking by asking youth why and where they drink, who supplies youth with alcohol and what initiatives, whether policy or educative would reduce underage drinking. By actively seeing a youth perspective on underage drinking youth under voting age get to have a say in changes that will affect them, and by viewing drinking from both perspectives it enables the development of policy which is sound, well rounded, and engenders respect and commitment of both policy makers and youth. Youth drink for fun, but they are unsure why drinking is fun apart from being a key part of social events. The next most common reason was a lack of activities for youth, which causes boredom. Boys felt more peer pressure to drink as drinking is ingrained in the kiwi male culture, and role models such as the All Black have a drink after the game. Both friends and parents supply alcohol to those underage. Whether friends or parents are most likely to supply alcohol depends on the school decile, but overall friends are the most likely supplier. Alcohol is mainly consumed by youth underage either at home or at friend’s places for house parties. Although youth don’t agree, they indicated in the questionnaire that friends are most likely source of alcohol. This means increasing the alcohol purchasing age will reduce underage drinking, but parents can still supply youth with alcohol, which doesn’t fully address the problem. Youth are concerned about their generations drinking, but they don’t believe new policy can work until current policies are properly enforced around purchasing from off licenses and fake ids. If new policy was to be introduced youth think an increase in price would reduce underage drinking but not stop it completely. Youth however realize that bad impacts are possible on the wider community if prices are increased, such as crime Queries: Dr David Hayward
School of Environment, The University of Auckland
[email protected]
(09)923-8454
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and neglect of children. There was staunch opposition towards an increase in drinking age as youth believed it was better to experiment with alcohol while living at home in a regulated environment than when they were at university and experimenting could affect their future. They also believed that changing the age would just postpone problems. Youth want more education in school around the dangers of drinking and strategies to deal with social pressures. It needs to be fun and interactive and is presented by an outsider, somebody young that they can relate to. Education programs that use performance to get their message across are the most memorable. This report recommends under taking education action in schools that is interactive, presented by an outsider and provides youth with skills and strategies to deal with the drinking culture and peer pressure. This will help create a slow generational change in New Zealanders attitudes towards alcohol. From a policy perspective this report recommends a minimum price per liter be implemented for alcohol, as $6 for a bottle of wine and $12 for a bottle of 13% Vodka is cheap enough for youth to afford with their allowance. The purchasing age should stay at 18, and be better enforced through more stings and consequences for the use of fake identification. Policy to stop parents supplying alcohol to youth outside the home and without supervision should also be implemented. Queries: Dr David Hayward
School of Environment, The University of Auckland
[email protected]
(09)923-8454