This was one of the most depressing books I've ever read. I don't quite understand exactly how she made it all the way through her adolescent life. Funny thing is, I can easily imagine having *been* her: I refused my first drink when I was fourteen, but the reasons she drank -- to feel more accepted, more comfortable, to actually be able to talk to and interact with people at all, to for once in her life not feel self consious -- are the same reasons I would have drank at 14. I'm glad I didn't, but it was really eerie to see a twisted vision of how things might have turned out.
Has anyone else read this?
Posted by Kitsune (Member # 8290) on :
"She explains that while kids are taught that drugs are always dangerous, alcohol is perceived as an acceptable rite of passage."
I never thought of it that way. That's very true, though. I'm gonna check this out.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Nope, haven't read it, but it looks like it could be extremely educational.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
It's a really fast, engaging read. Not one of those educational treatises on the evils of teenage drinking. A real story.
But it left me *incredibly* sad and very wary of the pitcher of Bud Light I shared with my friends at happy hour tonight.
Posted by Tresopax (Member # 1063) on :
quote:"She explains that while kids are taught that drugs are always dangerous, alcohol is perceived as an acceptable rite of passage."
This is what really bothers me about drinking. While I do think it is a bad habit, dangerous, and easily abused, it's the reasons many people choose to do it that I have the biggest problem with. If you are going to drink you should do so because you enjoy it, not because you feel you need to or are supposed to.
I don't drink, and people have often asked me why not just one glass now and then - what harm could come of that? This is why. I'd prefer to prove that you don't really need to drink if you don't want to. And really, you don't....