other than drinking. Children from low-income families receive particular help to take part. In Reykjavik, for instance, families may receive 35,000 krona (around 400 euro or 3899 NOK) per year per child for recreational activities. Parental organisations are by law established in every school, along with school councils with parent representatives. Home and School, the national umbrella body for parental organisations, introduced agreements for parents to sign. The content varies but may include such promises as not allowing children to have unsupervised parties, not to buy alcohol for minors, and to keep an eye on the well-being of other children. Parents are encouraged to attend talks at school on the importance of spending time with their children and taking an active role in their lives (Kristjánsson et al., 2009; Youth in Iceland, 2018). The factors singled out are well known to researchers in preventive work among young people. However, the proponents of the Youth in Iceland model claim that the factors are slightly different in every country/community and that they also change quickly. Thus, they advocate yearly surveys: Youth in Iceland surveys should include all fifth, sixth, and seventh graders in all elementary schools in Iceland; eighth, ninth, and tenth graders in secondary school; and all high school students in the country. The surveys include many types of questions around youth well-being and generate information two to three months after the collection. The information can be used both by researchers and preventive workers in the communities (see more in Kristjánsson et al., 2009; Youth in Iceland, 2018). 7.3.4 Short summary • •
•
•
Exposure to alcohol advertising and positive images in the media are connected to how adolescents drink, suggests a strong body of research. The impact of online marketing and marketing through different media (television, outdoor posters, etc.) are all important factors to be taken into account when planning preventive programmes and also when evaluating their impact. Young people with peers who drink are more prone to drinking themselves. It is unclear to what degree this is a question of the individual being pushed into drinking by their drinking peers and to what degree young people who are inclined to drink look for company that will make drinking possible. (Adolescent) drinking is to a high degree collective; drinking habits are connected to the surrounding norms and drinking cultures. Drinking habits are thus formed in interaction based on groups in the social context.
69