The Function of Pre-Drinking Before Social Events - Essay Example

Pre-drinking, or “pre-gaming”, is an increasingly common practice among college students aged between 18-25 years old because of a number of factors. To explore these factors, a body of research has emerged to shed light on motivations for why individuals partake in pre-gaming activities, which will be subsequently reviewed. Once existing research is described, this paper will discuss an independent study performed with a questionnaire and focus groups with a sample of college students discussing their own experiences with pre-gaming.

Comparisons between their feedback and the findings of the overall literature on pre-gaming will be discussed at length. Policy implications for educational and governmental institutions in response to these findings will be explored in greater detail.Literature ReviewPre-gaming involves taking heavy amounts of alcoholic drinks in a private setting before going to a social event in a licensed drinking establishment such as nightclubs or bars (Wile & Werlinsky, 2000, p. 7). In recent decades, the level of alcohol consumption among young adults has increased to record highs.

Most studies have attributed such increases to the widespread availability of affordable alcohol and the increased prevalence of drinking events for young adults, particularly those enrolled in post-secondary education institutions. In the United States, about 38% of college students have at one time reported being involved in pre-gaming (Stapleton & Turrisi, 2010, p. 73). Another study indicated that more than 60% of students in colleges across the United States approve pre-drinking and associate such activities with fun and do not associate it with any risk (Myers, 1998, p. 47). With rates of social acceptance so high and with scholarly research indicating that pre-gaming causes heavier drinking overall, the purpose of this paper is to describe the situation and how to focus attention toward allowing young people to engage in social activities in a safe environment.