Drinking and Hazing ACL

Piedmont Parties

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i g h t e e n percent of Piedmont freshmen, 38 percent of sophomores, 46 percent of juniors and 55 percent of seniors had alcohol in the last 30 days, according to the 2018 California Healthy Kids Survey.

“I think those numbers sound a little low,” Cameron* s a i d .

“People could be hesitant to

The name of the game respond yes.”

Piedmont’s numbers are significantly higher than the national average, as only 18.6 percent of high school sophomores and 30.2 percent of seniors had consumed alcohol within the past 30 days nationally, according to the 2018 Monitoring the Future Survey.

In spite of these high numbers, Cameron said he did not believe there is a problematic drinking culture at PHS. “The perception is that everyone’s drinking, but in truth about 60 percent of high school seniors don’t drink or drink very sparingly,” said licensed psychologist Dr. Tim Portinga of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

The belief that the majority of students are drinking perpetuates into future generations, Portinga said.

“If you interview freshmen and ask them what they think seniors are doing, in terms of drinking, they almost always think seniors are drinking more than they actually are,” Portinga said.

“So the [freshmen have] this idea that the juniors and seniors are drinking a ton, which gives [them] permission to drink.”

There is no bigger issue in high schools than binge drinking, Portinga said.

“What I want people to understand is that in high

school, one in ten binge drinkers end up with a lifelong problem,” Portinga said. “Those are significant risks, and we know that those risks are mitigated the longer they put off that binge drinking.”

Binge drinking, which is defined as consuming four or more alcoholic drinks within two hours for women and five or more such drinks for men, is significant nationally among high schoolers, as 13.5 percent of high schoolers currently binge drink, according to the 2017 National High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey. “[Most underage drinkers are not] drinking to be social or have a casual afternoon, they’re drinking to get drunk,” Portinga said.

“They’re experimenting, and most underage kids don’t have a great idea of what their limits are in the first place.”

In fact, 90 percent of alcohol consumed by drinkers aged 12-20 is through binge drinking, according to the Center for Disease Control.

“A kid might decide he’s going to have one or two beers, and then he experiences the initial euphoria and he’s like this is kind of cool,” Portinga said. “Then it’s off to the races, and eight drinks later he’s puking in a corner trying to figure out how that happened.”

The widespread perception that all of one’s peers are drinking also greatly increases teen drinking, Portinga said.

“I want to educate kids that the norm is not binge drinking,” Portinga said. “It’s kind of unfortunate [that this is the perception] because people deserve to have an opportunity to figure out how this thing Dr. Tim Portinga works before licensed psychologist jumping right in.”

“Most underage kids don’t have a great idea of what their limits are in the first place.”

G T am eD ay

hey have never said a word to each other, and yet, they are dancing and chatting and laughing as if they have never left each other’s side. Normally quiet and “I’m shy, she sings at the top of her lungs. Alcohol n o t has transformed her into almost an entirely judging them, I different person. would just never do “A lot of people do [drink] to be someone that, personally,” Arthur else,” Arthur*, who only drinks once in a said. “It’s not real to me.” while, said.

Brianna*, who drinks very rarely, Arthur said that in Piedmont, everyone is said that she does not drink very often expected to go to parties and get drunk. because she knows that she can have a better “I don’t promote it, but [people] are going time without it. to do it anyway, so I don’t really care,” Arthur “I still hang out with friends, but I feel like it’s Arthur said. more fun when you remember everything that’s also said Taylor*, who normally drinks once or twice happening,” Brianna said. “My friends just like that a big part on the weekends, said that although drinking to do other things.” of the drinking and is prevalent in other high schools, it is Although drinking can be used to push down party culture at Piedmont particularly pervasive stressful issues, Taylor includes the hookup culture. in Piedmont.

“We’re all insecure in some does not think that is “People get drunk, hookup, and “There are a lot the main motive for then people gossip about them afterward,” way. When you drink, you of excuses as to why drinking in Piedmont, Arthur said. “There’s so much baggage with it people drink whether don’t really care what she said. all.” it’s ‘not much to do’, “Drinking is used Another risk of hookup culture, Arthur said, people think about you.” or if people have more for improving a is that certain individuals may initiate a hookup open houses,” Taylor good mood rather than with someone who is under the influence while said. “I think that Arthur compensating for a bad they, themselves, are not. because everyone one,” Taylor said. anonymous source “It’s no different than taking knows each other so Taylor said that advantage of someone,” well, it makes parents drinking is basically the center of her social Arthur said. more comfortable with the idea because they circle.

When it comes to have more trust in the kids.”

“There’s definitely an underlying pressure hooking up, people tend Taylor said that although she recognizes to drink,” Taylor said. “I chose my friends, I to do it with individuals that alcohol is not needed at parties, it allows made the decision, but parties are always at that they do not talk to at people to be more social. the center. If there’s a party, my friends will school, Arthur said.

“It definitely makes people looser and go.”

“Usually there are no easier to talk to,” Taylor said.

Alisha*, who drinks about every other strings attached,” Arthur said.

Arthur said that students drink so they can weekend, said that she has not noticed an However, Arthur said that when someone escape the discomfort of being in their own underlying pressure to drink. is under the influence, it is easier for them to skin.

“It’s just fun,” Alisha said. “Sometimes if you approach someone that they find attractive.

“We’re all insecure in some way,” Arthur drink too much you can do things that you may “When asking someone out, you feel very said. “When you drink, you don’t really care not have wanted other people to see, but I don’t vulnerable in that moment,” Arthur said. “You what people think about you. You can’t really think I’m ever not in control.” don’t feel as vulnerable do that when you’re sober.”

Despite drinking you’re drunk.

Seeing classmates drunk really changes the being “Drinking is used more for when physically You can be rejected and way Arthur perceives them, he said. unhealthy, Taylor said made fun of.” improving a good mood “A lot of kids that you meet during high that she has not really Arthur said that school are so much different when they’re seen a negative effect on rather than compensating getting drunk keeps drunk,” Arthur said. “It’s really freaky.” her academic or social people immature for a bad one,” For example, Arthur said that at school, life because of it. because they are unable some individuals that he has interacted with “I’m not saying that to approach adult were very quiet people, but at parties, they are it can’t happen,” Taylor Taylor situations without the very outgoing. anonymous source said. “If it did happen, influence of alcohol. A “[Some typically quiet individuals] are so I would have myself to lot of underage drinkers approachable when they’re drunk. They love blame and I would change my ways. But because talking to me,” Arthur said. “It’s not because I have been in those social situations and do well use alcohol as a way to advance their sexual I’m some sort of magnet. I think they just in school and am still close to my friends and experience.

“I think the first time [having sex] should want to start a relationship, but they don’t parents, I would say that it’s possible to do it.” be with a sober, consenting individual,” Arthur know how to when they’re sober.”

Drinking is not necessarily the worst thing, said. “Some of us are so desperate to look good Making friends and branching out is everyone just has to be cautious while doing it. in front of others that we get drunk so we’ll have difficult, which is why Arthur understands “You have to be careful because it’s very easy the courage to have sex.” why people use alcohol as a means of doing for you to lose sight of other things if you get too Just like with regular social interactions, sex it, he said. invested in it,” Taylor said. is easier to approach when under the influence

By the numbers

30% 90%

according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

of high school students drank some amount of alcohol in the past 30 days

of alcohol consumed by people ages 12 to 20 is through binge drinking

Alcohol

most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States

is the

because the individual doesn’t tend to overthink it as much, Arthur said.

“Sex is very exposing, both mentally and physically,” Arthur said. “I think it’s a really big problem that we do things that we might not be ready for just because of peer pressure.”

Despite Arthur’s views on alcohol, he can sometimes feel left out because of peer pressure, “It’s he said. important to be aware of “I compare myself to them even if I don’t what it’s like while you know them,” Arthur said. “But I try to ignore still have your parents that.” and friends to lean on Taylor said that in the earlier years of high before you go away and school, she thought parties were very new and get too carried away,” Taylor exciting, but since then said. she has changed the However, it is also “You live and learn. As way she views them. possible and common you get older, you realize “I would happily miss to go to a party and not a party to do something drink, Taylor said. the things you actually fun in the city with my “There are some care about, and that even friends, but that might pressures [to drink] just have not necessarily because it’s fun, but it’s though parties can be fun, been true sophomore overbearing,” Taylor they’re not the only thing.” not year,” Taylor said. “You said. “People are very live and learn. As you accepting of whoever get older, you realize Taylor chooses not to drink.” the things you actually Arthur said that anonymous source care about, and that although he does not even though parties can drink, he still respects his classmates’ decisions. be fun, they’re not the only thing.”

“People can do what they want to do and I’m Taylor said that she thinks that people should not going to judge them for it,” Arthur said. “At have a drinking experience before they head off the end of the day, it’s important to have fun and to college or leave home. be happy, and to do it in your way.”

*All names have been changed to protect the identity of our sources, who are both current PHS students and parents.

The referees and their rules

L

oud music blasts through the “You don’t prepare speakers as kids stumble around, your kid well for the some dancing, others yelling future if you condone that over the music to try and talk to type of behavior,” Arthur their friends. The bathroom is filled, as usual, by said. “Parents allowing ten girls, one throwing up in the toilet from too their kids to get messed up much alcohol, another crying in a corner, being and do stuff they’ll regret is comforted by her friends. But just two floors really bad.” above them is an entirely different scene. Two Arthur has no problem, parents sit in plush chairs, reading magazines however, with underage drinkers and sipping wine. The only sign that there is a drinking within their own household. party going on downstairs is the faint thump of “I think when it’s with your family, in a the bass in the music. comfortable, safe environment, it’s appropriate,” From hosting parties to not allowing drinking Arthur said. at all, Piedmont parents have a variety of policies While parents giving their kids a glass of wine regarding their teenagers drinking. once in a while is fine, he does not agree with “I am allowed to drink as long as I am parents providing the alcohol needed for kids to responsible and safe and as long as I am honest get actively drunk. with [my parents] about how much I have been “That’s where I draw the line,” Arthur said. drinking, who I have been drinking with, and “It’s like giving kids poison.” whether the parents were home,” Laurel* said.

Licensed psychologist Dr. Tim Portinga of Although Laurel has had this policy since the the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation said that beginning of sophomore year, Laurel’s mom, the beliefs and actions of parents, especially Sandra*, still feels unsure about it, Sandra said. surrounding binge drinking, have “It’s really difficult to know if your kid is a direct influence on their telling the truth even if you have an open policy,” children’s interaction with Sandra said. “I don’t want to be in this totally alcohol. false dialogue with [Laurel] where she’s lying to “The research is very clear me and I am pretending like I don’t know.” that when parents’ expectations Part of the reason Laurel is allowed to drink is are that alcohol is normal and that Sandra feels that it would be unrealistic to binge drinking is normal and high expect her not to, Sandra said. school kids are going to drink, “Based on everything I knew about who drank the percentage of their own kids’ and who didn’t drink at Piedmont, it seemed drinking just skyrockets,” Portinga unrealistic that she wouldn’t drink,” Sandra said. said. “Kids absolutely respond to Sandra also believes that her daughters are their parents’ expectations when it responsible and value their own futures, she said. comes to alcohol consumption.”

“The more they value themselves, the less Portinga said that there is an dangerous they are to themselves,” Sandra said. almost direct correlation between parents’ Laurel’s parents also do not have a limit on alcohol consumption and underage drinking. how much she can “The more available drink and she is allowed “Kids absolutely respond to alcohol is and the to have people over to more parents drink, the their parents’ expectations drink, Laurel said. But more likely kids are to her parents would never underage drink, and the when it comes to alcohol buy her alcohol. more younger people consumption.”

“If there were a drink, particularly binge tragedy that resulted drinking, the more likely from me buying alcohol they are to develop a Dr. Tim Portinga for underage kids, the chronic substance use licensed psychologist rest of my life I would disorder,” Portinga said. be writhing in regret,” “The more people are Sandra said. drinking at a younger age, the longer and more Ellen’s* parents have a similar policy to significant their risks are long term.”

Laurel’s, except, in addition to refusing to Sienna’s* parents feel similarly, she said. provide alcohol, Ellen is also not allowed to She has drunk alcohol before, and her parents have people over to drink at her parents’ house, grounded her for a month because of it.

Ellen said. “[I am] not allowed [to drink] at all,” Sienna “The idea under the law is that if something said. “If it ever happens, [I will have] major were to happen at my house, [my parents] would consequences.” be liable,” Ellen said.

No matter if someone decides to drink or not, Another Piedmont student, Arthur*, also it is important for them to be able to have open believes that providing alcohol for teenagers and conversations with parents, Ellen said. having a very loose policy around drinking can “As long as I keep making safe, responsible be harmful. choices, everything’s okay,” Laurel said.

Writing and research: Carson Breber, Emma Broening, Roni Schacker Editing and design: Maggie Black, Marta Symkowick