Understanding social problems- essay 40 PDF

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Alcohol consumption within Australia is often a common recreational activity and fairly common within the Australian society. Studies indicate 62% of Australian people drink at least one cup of alcohol a week (myVMC, 2008). Nevertheless, within the Australian society there has been an increase in alcohol consumption with teenagers causing a social problem more frequently known as Binge Drinking. This essay will be discussing binge drinking within the Australian society and linking it specifically to the symbolic interactionalism perspective. Firstly, this essay with present an extensive amount of information in regards to binge drinking and how is socially impacts the Australian society. Secondly, through the extensive research on binge drinking the essay will correspondingly create a connection to how the symbolic interactionalism perspective is linked to the social problem of binge drinking within the Australian society. Alcohol consumption is widely referred to as the most commonly used recreational drug within the Australian society. People within the Australian society often do not consider the consumption of alcohol a drug use. However, statistics portray that the consumption of alcohol is the largest cause of death amongst teenagers living in Australia (Australian Drug Foundation, 2014). Binge drinking is defined as overly consuming a high amount of alcohol in one session over a period of a few days causing rigorous negative health and well-being effects post consumption (Health Direct, 2017). As a consequence, to binge drinking there is often serious health problems and social problems an individual may result in which include unprotected sex leading to a sexual transmitted infection or pregnancy, drink driving, loss of valuable items, public fighting and serious liver problems (Health Direct, 2017). Since, 2014 the rates of binge drinking within Australia has increased rapidly (myVMC, 2008). Statistics from Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate 48% of male adults in 2004 and 32% of female adults participated in binge drinking minimally once a week (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007). National Drug Strategy, 2001 signify in the early 1800 as

Australia was colonised a large amount of indigenous Australian’s were employed by nonindigenous people which lead them to interact highly in a binge drinking lifestyle (National Drug Strategy, 2001). Figuratively speaking findings from the National Health and Medical Research Council, 2012 outline “binge drinking were higher for Indigenous males (64%) than females (44%)” (Prime Minsters and Cabinet,2014). Jukic, Flaherty and Pino, 1997 states “Arabic-speaking community has a lower prevalence of and risk from drinking compared to the general community” (Jukic, Flaherty and Pino, 1997). This statement signifies that community groups impact the rate of binge drinking occurring within societies. Communities which base their culture vigorously around the consumption of alcohol are more prone to have a higher rate of binge drinking rather than communities which do not interact in alcohol consumption as part of their culture. Symbolic interactionalism is defined as a sociological perspective that addresses how a society is created and preserved within individuals in a community (Carter and Fuller, 2006) Carter and Fuller, 2006 symbolize that the Symbolic interactionalism is a micro level theory that specifics the individual’s role in the construction of an adequate society (Carter and Fuller, 2006). Symbolic interactionalism theorist investigates the importance of how symbols impact an individual’s actions and communications skills. Specific symbols include words, gestures, body language and facial expressions. The symbolic interactionalism theory was compiled mainly by George Herbert Mead in the early 20th century he specifies that social experiences between individual’s and society is generalized by the exchange of symbols including gestures as a form of communication and the anticipation of the reactions of others (Blumer, 1969). Herbert Blumer 1936 was a student of Herbert Mead whom was the first theorist to use the terminology symbolic interaction. According to Blumer, 1936 there are three core principles which comply the symbolic interaction “Humans beings act towards things that have a

meaning to them, the meaning attached to a thing arises or is derived from the social interactions that person has with others, the meanings are handled and modified through an interactive process they have endured (Blumer, 1969). Moreover, Charles Cooley signifies his theory as “looking glass self” this theory symbolizes the way individuals view themselves within a society is a reflection of to how the other people may observe them to be. This theory similarly allows individuals to reflect on themselves and develop a positive self-image of how they may portray themselves while connecting with the community similarly generalizing a larger sector of the community (Blumer, 1969). Another predominate theory linked with the symbolic interactionalism is known as labelling theory which was discovered by Howard Becker in the early 1960’s. Becker believes “social groups create deviance by making rules whose infraction constitutes deviance and by applying those rules to particular and labelling them as deviant.” (Becker, 1963, p. 9) This statement by Becker highlights that labels to individuals are often giving by powerful social status to individuals performing an action not condemned by society. Through labelling individuals within society behavioral issues tend to arise. Becker’s prime example states “injecting heroin into your arm is not deviant, because it’s fine if a nurse does it under doctors’ orders. It only becomes deviant when society defines it as such” (Becker,1963, p.10) As discussed earlier in the essay symbolic interactionalism looks at that the connection between individuals in society to groups, cultural communities and institutions. An important concept in the symbolic interactionalism is use of symbols. Symbols portray various messages from individuals to those apart of a society. Binge drinking is commonly evident in young teenagers whom are influenced by older individuals or by those individuals who are exposed to this habit at a young age. As individuals grow they are often educated with the negative consequence of alcohol consumption however due to the negative influence from various society the social problem of binge drinking increases. Statistic indicate in an average

week one in four Australian teenagers die due to large consumption of alcohol (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007). To support this concept Blumer’s 3 premises theory can be applied to this social problem. If a teenager find pleasure in consuming a large amount of alcohol he/she will most likely have a reoccurring incident. Secondly, motivation by binge drinking bystanders increases the social problem. Lastly, once becoming a frequent binge drinker problematic issues arise. Becker’s concept of labelling is most commonly evident in the social problem of binge drinking. The symbolic interactionalism theory for this concept is highly evident as social influences and social status impacts significantly on societies perspective on binge drinking (National Drug Strategy, 2001). The commonly used label used on binge drinkers is known as “cool kid”. Individuals whom witness binge drinkers and are not relatively educated on the consequence of excessive drinking most frequently fall into the category of being a cool kid while social interacting in groups, parties and social gathering due to the excessive peer pressure from those around them (National Drug Strategy, 2001). Alcohol consumption around the Australian society is relatively common as mean of socializing, celebrating and relaxing. Additionally, to support this statement Plant, 1995 highlights the legal age in the United Kingdom to consume alcohol is 18 years old, however it is not illegal for a 5-year-old to drink outside a licensed premise (Plant, 1995). However, there are cultural groups within the Australia society which have a negative perspective on alcohol consumption and not socially and religiously accepted therefore the rate of binge drinking is extremely low and there is no social problem evident. Additionally, countries like Bangladesh, India, and Saudi Arabia prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol this decreases the social problem of binge drinking in these areas (Nag, 2017). In conclusion, the social problem of binge drinking within the Australian society and the link to the symbolic interactionalism theory is highly evident. The statistics of binge drinking

figuratively portray the seriousness of the social problem and clearly connects to the concepts of the symbolic interactionalism. Social influence and labelling of alcohol consumption in young teenagers is commonly evident as a social problem.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2007). Alcohol Consumption in Australia: A Snapshot, 200708. [online] Available at: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/4832.0.55.001/ [Accessed 2 May 2018]. Australian Drug Foundation (25 November 2014). Facts and resources about alcohol and drugs, statistics. Retrieved on 29 April 2018 from http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/topics/quick-statistics#alcohol Becker, H. (1963). Outsiders. New york: Free Press, pp.9-13. Blumer, H. (1969). Symbolic interactionism. Berkeley: University of California Press. Carter, M. and Fuller, C. (2016). Symbols, meaning, and action: The past, present, and future of symbolic interactionism. Current Sociology, 64(6), pp.931-961. Jukic, A., Flaherty, B. and Pino, N. (1997). Alcohol and other drug use, attitudes and knowledge amongst Italian-speakers in Sydney. Rozelle, N.S.W.: NSW Health Dept., CEIDA. myVMC. (2018). Binge drinking (alcohol intoxication disorder) | myVMC. [online] Available at: https://www.myvmc.com/lifestyles/binge-drinking-alcohol-intoxication-disorder/ [Accessed 1 May 2018]. Nag, O. (2017). 14 Countries Where Drinking Alcohol Is Illegal. [online] WorldAtlas. Available at: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/14-countries-where-drinking-alcohol-isillegal.html [Accessed 30 Apr. 2018]. National Drug Strategy. (2001). Alcohol in Australia Issues and Strategies. [online] Available at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/alc-strategy/ %24FILE/alcohol_strategy_back.pdf [Accessed 2 May 2018]. Prime Minister and Cabinet. (2014). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2014 Report. [online] Available at: https://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/indigenous/Health-PerformanceFramework-2014/tier-2-determinants-health/216-risky-alcohol- [Accessed 2 May 2018].

Plant, M.( 1995). "The United Kingdom" International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture, Greenwood Press, Westport, p. 292....