I wonder how such cultural messages could be introduced, if they do not exist presently.
It doesn't seem like something that the government can do anything about, so it makes sense that the govt reaches for new laws and restrictions to address the problem (if unfortunate and ineffectual).
Look at other countries. In Europe for example, many families drink wine with their meals. I knew the taste of wine and beer as young as 10 probably. My parents would have wine and beer with their meals and it never turned into a drunken debauchery as many American expect it to. I could tell they got drunker because they talked louder for example. I never got really drunk that young and never really wanted to binge drink later.
I got drunk on occasion with friends (and regretted it) but it most often happened with American friends (who were more likely to binge drink I think). So this bad attitude towards alcohol has somewhat rubbed off on me as well after many years of living here.
It doesn't seem like something that the government can do anything about, so it makes sense that the govt reaches for new laws and restrictions to address the problem (if unfortunate and ineffectual).
Very interesting read, thanks!