Symbolic Interactionism In Australia

Symbolic Interactionism in Relation to Binge Drinking

An issue that has become so intergraded into Australia that it is considered a social norm, binge-drinking is an issue that has a irrefutable prominence. In this essay, binge-drinking and it’s effects as well as its clout in Australia will be addressed first. After that, the theological perspective of symbolic interactionism, developed my George Herbert Mead in the 1920s. Lastly, there will be a critical analysis of the application of symbolic interactionism and binge-drinking in Australia and that it is to be considered a social problem.

A country identified as one with a laid-back bearing, Australia has an elephant in the room that needs to be addressed and that elephant’s name is binge-drinking. …show more content…
But, the particular amount an individual can consume in a safe manner depends on copious factors including: age, gender and health (_____). But while many Australians are aware of their own “safe range” of drinking, many over-consume alcohol consistently, research indicated that on a self-defined ‘big night out’ nearly 3 in 10 18-24 year olds reported consuming 11+ standard drinks (____).While there are many reasons behind binge drinking, the two main causes are: peer pressure and people holding misconceptions in regards to their limits, both in terms of tolerance and biology (____). Peer pressure is the biggest issue because it requires people to say ‘no’ when pressured to drink and to avoid social groups where excessive drinking is expected. Not only do studies show those in younger age group consume large amounts of alcohol, but according to the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, more than 20% of 14-19 year olds consume alcohol on a weekly basis (____). The risky behaviour increases the need for funds in both the police force and public health systems, proved by an ABS survey in 2005-06 which showed, the highest hospital …show more content…
The answer lies in the situation that people create. Various studies have report that while teenagers are well informed about the risks of binge drinking, there is a social expectation and a wildly held belief that teenagers excessively drink. (____). Theorist aim to explain this phenomenon, through theories including Best’s theory of labelling, which is the process of an individual becoming the labels applied to them either by the generalised ‘other’ or by a single individual (Best, 1989). Labelling theory when applied to binge-drinking develops interesting theories as well. When society or the generalised other, labels an individual, according to labelling theory, this escalates the individual’s likelihood fulfil that label. This is because the individuals will begin to label themselves as their actions, for example an individual who is constantly labelled as an alcoholic may begin to refer to themselves as an alcoholic rather than someone with alcoholism (the difference is identifying as the behaviour instead of identifying with the behaviour), which can lead to a continued behaviour of alcoholism. Another impetrative theory is that of the looking-glass self which is when we imagine what we think someone else thinks of us and then we judge ourselves accordingly which lead us to name our

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