Unit 6 Drinking Alcohol

Section 1. Warming-up

1.1. Can you understand when people are under the influece of alcohol? What changes can you notice in their behavouir and physical state?

1.2. Now study the following facts and say how alcohol influences people.

• In small amounts, alcohol makes people feel more relaxed and less inhibited - they may do things they would not normally do.

• In larger amounts:

• movements become clumsy;

• reflexes are slowed down;

• eyes do not focus properly;

• speech becomes slurred ;

• judgement becomes impaired (violent and aggressive);

• one feels very depressed, excitable and reckless, withdrawn and sleepy.

• Long term effects of drinking too much include:

• heart damage;

• liver damage;

• cancers of the digestive system and breast ;

• sexual impotence;

• sleeping difficulties;

• brain damage, causing changes in mood and personality ;

• concentration and memory problems;

• missing work or even getting fired;

• arguments with friends;

• family conflict and breakdown.

Section 2. Reading

2.1. Today strong drinks are becoming more available for young people and as a result more and more young people become hopelessly addicted to alcohol. Make up a list of possible reasons for this dangerous tendency. Compare your ideas with those expressed by young Europeans. While reading think of possible headings for the passages. The heading for the first passage is already given to you.

Emmanuil from Greece

The Family and the State are to Blame

Relations between family members can be a reason for this behavior. Sometimes parents don't pay much attention to their children and they allow them to drink, smoke etc. even though they know that both of these acts can lead to an addiction. The state doesn’t do enough to prevent alcoholism among youngsters. They don’t check bars, clubs, coffee shops, super markets where alcohol is sold to minors. Strict fines must be imposed in order to avoid such incidents.

Eva from Germany

…………………………………

Young people are drinking more and more alcohol. The reason for this is obvious. The young generation is becoming more and more secular, they do not believe in God any more and they do not grow up with Christian moral values. They need to find secular excitement in their lives because the modern world cannot offer them stability. No job, no stable relationships, no future, no beliefs. Do you wonder why young people are drinking more and more alcohol? I don't!

Maciek from Poland

……………………………………

I suppose  that  the reasons for many young people to be drinking more are  less  responsibilities  and more money. It seems to me that young people  earlier had to do more about the house, now they 'just' have to learn.  Busier  parents  have  also  less  time  to  look  after their children. And people are better off, so more money goes to youngsters' pockets. To spend more money on alcohol is not a problem. Of course we can not underestimate the role of adverts directed to young generation, which  promote  drinking as part of being cool and happy. Drinking has always  been a way to express 'adultness'.

Pedro from Portugal

………………………………….

Parents have less time for his children, so they give them playstations, computers instead of their care and attention. The same happens to young people who don’t have enough time to speak with their parents and find in alcohol and friends the solution to their problems. Then in our society we are getting adults sooner than before!

There is also much publicity about alcoholic drinking and it’s always associated with nice moments, nice people, nice places! The marketing campaigns are very well done and even the advice “drink with moderation” is so short that young people ignore it.

Maarika from Estonia

…………………………………….

The most direct reason for drinking at early age is peer pressure. The young are easily influenced by their friends, classmates etc. Drinking is perceived positively - it is something that makes one cool, fun, popular and grown up. Alcohol gives kids a sense of belonging, facilitates communication, and possibly makes them feel good about themselves. As it is a “forbidden fruit” it is especially desired. 

Media’s influence is more indirect yet powerful. Alcohol producers need to expend their business. Out of all people not yet consuming alcohol, young people are the target group which is the easiest to reach . The alcohol promotion paints a picture of a life that young want to live. Advertising of alcohol leaves an impression that alcohol is an inseparable part of daily life, just like toothpaste, for example.

Section 3. Listening