College students today celebrate 21st birthdays with an average of 12 drinks for men and nine for women, finds the most in-depth picture yet of the consequences of extreme partying.
The University of Texas-Austin research found 78% of students cited ill effects, including hangovers (54%). Of 44% who had blackouts, 22% found out later they had sex, and 22% got in a fight or argument. And 39% didn’t know how they got home.
Although the study focused on only one campus, researchers say the new level of “extreme drinking” goes way beyond “bingeing” ”” four or five drinks in one sitting. And it’s a phenomenon probably being repeated at schools across the country, researchers say. Studying 21st-birthday celebrations is a new area of research, and no national studies have been done, but studies on a handful of other campuses have found similar extremes.
I’m not surprised in the least, and I seriously doubt it’s gotten any worse over the last few decades, from what I’ve seen.
I am trying to remember my 21st. I think it involved ‘depth charges’
UUMMM! How big were the 4 or 5 drinks in a binge?
I’m sure that this is true, I’m just not sure it reflects anything new. When I was an undergraduate at Illinois (Class of 84), a familiar 21st birthday party ritual involved going to a particular bar (Murphy’s Bar at Green and 6th, for those familiar with the setting) and ordering “The Wall”, a succession of ten different mixed drinks that were sold as a package for, I believe, $15 (I feel like I’m dating myself by quoting that price), and that were meant to be consumed in quick succession. This practice of selling multiple drinks as a “package deal” was outlawed in Illinois in the early 90s, but I am sure that college students have improvised different ways to achieve the same result.
I turned 21 in 1987 – college students have been getting wasted on their 21st birthday for years!! Actually, it was a rite of passage to try to consume 21 shots that were bought for you at the bar of your choice – usually at 12:01 am on the day of your birthday. I’m not telling how many shots I made it to before I needed to go home…..!! I find it very funny that “Studying 21st-birthday celebrations is a new area of research” – where have these researchers been, and where did they go to college?
Here in Town there is a tradition called “the Tennessee Waltz”. Students turning 21 head for the main drag in town — Tennessee Street — which is lined with bars and night spots, and go from bar to bar getting one free drink in each.
By the time they reach the end, they are quite smashed, as of course, others insist on buying them a congratulatory drink as well! From what I hear, more women than men take part in this tradition. 🙄