Sunday, 27 September 2009

teenager drink article [news story]


click here to see the article

The above article is from the BBC News website, and discusses how teenagers from the UK - particularly girls – have shown to have the highest rate of drunkenness in Europe, and it also compares various other factors from other countries.

The article itself begins with a very neutral tone – it discusses only the findings from the survey, comparing the facts and figures to those in different parts of the world. It does mention some positive findings, particularly discussing that teenagers from the UK have: ' above-average state funding, a high quality of school life, below-average child poverty and low levels of bullying.' Still, it goes onto say, 'But in their personal lives, the UK youngsters are characterised by alcohol abuse and high rates of teenage pregnancy.'

Further on, interviews with the co-reporter and the child minister of England are presented – it should be noted, however, that there are no interviews or opinions from teenagers themselves - I believe this is rather unfair, since the youngsters in question may want to share their own views, or experiences concerning the subject, and without their opinion, the report seems rather one-sided and more focused on what adults in the UK believe. If the results were such a concern, then perhaps bringing a teenager's attention to this article could help with the problem?

However, the report ends on a happier note, claiming that '"Recent statistics have shown encouraging decreases in teenage conceptions during the first half of 2008, that fewer teenagers than ever before are choosing to drink alcohol and we know that drug use among young people is falling."'

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