Hey, I’ll let you in on a little secret…I’m freakin tired of the ‘glorification of alcohol’ on social media.
Now let me just state I could give a rats fat (what even is that?!) if people do choose to consume alcohol, I’m not a total killjoy. Where I get turned off is the constant photos of alcohol, ‘needing’ it to get through life and telling me every time you ‘crack’ open a bottle or fill your bucket glass of wine. My social media feeds are filled with photos and hashtags that are alcohol related and I don’t understand when this became acceptable or even necessary.
Now here’s why I find it unnecessary, I grew up the child of alcoholics.
Both my natural father and mother are drunks, let’s call it what it really is hey…I only grew up with one of these parents but alcohol played a part in that too when my father hightailed it outa my infant life never to be seen again until I was 16.
I have extended family members who are alcoholics and let me tell you, I saw too much as a kid and watching an adult who reaches for wine every day to ‘get through’ or ‘block shit out’…it’s the pits.
I’ve had alcohol, I’ve even been drunk a few times but I choose to steer clear of alcohol for a number of reasons. Depression runs rife in my family and I’m not immune, alcohol is not your friend if you suffer from any mental health issues…nuff said. I don’t like being outa control…and alcohol while great for ‘loosening up’ is an altering substance that can tip me past the ‘loose’ stage to ‘messy’ with just ‘one extra drink’. My health is important to me and alcohol is detrimental to my health. I also don’t like hangovers, hot flushes and birdcage mouth.
When I say I don’t drink alcohol people laugh and take the piss. For some reason it’s seen as weird and anti social to not drink…it’s almost ‘un Australian’.
Yeah well seeing people on social media raising their wine glass every day is weird…even weirder when some people post yoga and smoothie pics in the morning then alcohol at night. Does that feel weird to you?
The biggest reason I’m not a drinker? I’m raising two sons and I’ve worked hard to educate them about alcohol and model good behaviour.
It’s been hard work especially with the footy and cricket club culture and now…social media. Ten years ago all the advertising in regards to campaigning against binge drinking and drink driving was targeted towards males, but these days I reckon we need to turn the tables and look at women.
It might all seem harmless but once again…I’m raising sons. I want ‘everyone’ who posts alcohol related images to think about their influence and the impact these images can have.
Social media is an influencer, one that my boys read everyday. I don’t want these constant messages making it ok to drink everyday, raise glasses the size of buckets or sending the message that alcohol is medicinal or necessary.
It’s a tough gig parenting teens and these messages add to that. Let me just say too, everyone is entitled to post what they like and let’s face it I’m an adult and I just scroll past, but kids aren’t the same.
Alcohol is a substance that intoxicates, It’s addictive and if abused can be the catalyst to life altering horror.
I know right, who would have thought that a ‘cute’ glass of wine might be linked to rape, murder, drink driving, one punch deaths, abuse and more. Yeah fucking alcohol is at the root of lots of problems.
Now you might be able to handle your tipple but ‘advertising and glorifying’ it on social media with carefully shot photos all filtered and pretty is sending a message to our youth… and for some members of society it’s a slap in the face and a reminder of things they might like to forget.
Alcoholics, the abused, kids from violent homes, adults fleeing domestic violence…might not appreciate those filtered fizzy photos.
When I’m at an event and I see people taking photos of their alcohol and posting it I’m disturbed. Why? Why do people need to post their alcohol pics? Why not post a pic of the actual event? Is it because they think it’s cool? Enlighten me.
I’m all for people enjoying themselves and having the odd drink but be very careful of the message you’re sending, you just might be influencing others with your pics of an addictive substance.
What’s your thoughts on constantly seeing alcohol in your news feeds?
Do you think social media is an influence on youth? Maybe it influences you?
Have you ever thought of how others might perceive your grog shots?
SHaryn says
May 24, 2015 at 4:24 pmWell said, here here…..
you certainly have made me think about a few photos that I have put on FB.
Thank you
Jenni says
May 24, 2015 at 4:28 pmThanks Sharyn, that’s great that you have thought about it. x
Sam says
May 24, 2015 at 4:55 pmtotally agree! I don’t drink aside from maybe a single drink for a special occasion.. But can’t understand why people think you’re weird for not drinking
Jenni says
May 24, 2015 at 4:58 pmI know I get asked if I’m sick/pregnant/medicated then there’s those who egg me on with ‘ohhh go on’…or who flat out say I’m weird for not drinking.
Gael - The Vinyl Edition says
May 24, 2015 at 5:18 pmInteresting post, Jenni, (and very ballsy too, I might add). I find the constant alcohol pics annoying, but i hadn’t ever thought of it in terms of influencing younger people. Very true though. And I know there’s a difference, but you don’t see any “look at me” photos of cigarettes, do you? Because it’s not cool any more. But alcohol still is, apparently, because it will get enough ‘likes’ and back-slapping and “I hear ya, sistah, cheers” comments.
Jenni says
May 24, 2015 at 5:39 pmThanks Gael, a lot of stuff I write about might be considered ‘ballsy’, I just write from the heart. If people are offended by this post they need to ask themselves why…it’s just a discussion. Don’t even get me started on cigarettes, I visit my hospital a couple of times a month and am always saddened by the people sitting on the wall in their hospital gowns sucking on a cigarette…then they head back to oncology.
Sabrina says
May 24, 2015 at 5:27 pmamen to this! I’m 24 years old and I’m absolutely sick of seeing all this crap about ‘wine time’ and whatever. I get that people like to have a drink and thats fine, but goodamn! People need to chill out! And its not just people my age, Its people older than me as well. Nothing fucks me off more than when someone has an infant and yet their posting about alcohol or their hangover. I legit want to strangle them
Jenni says
May 24, 2015 at 5:42 pmThanks Sabrina, that’s so interesting to hear that from someone your age and refreshing. Gotta say I get shocked by some posts I see too.
Suzie says
May 24, 2015 at 5:44 pmThanks Jenni, I agree wholeheartedly, not just because I too don’t drink, but I totally get it… It’s a type of self medicating, the ‘I need a drink’ just doesn’t get to solve problems…it just adds. The come on just a little, won’t hurt, or lighten up.. & So on… I just hope and pray that my not drinking means my children don’t see the ugliness of alcohol. My parents rarely had a drink and sadly as a young adult I did overindulge many times.
Jenni says
May 24, 2015 at 5:53 pmI think that al teens will find their own way, given the green light to drink once 18 is part of growing up. One son had a good bash for a few months but these days hardly ever drinks and he works in bars and clubs. Repetitive messages have a way of sticking, that’s my concern.
fiona fAgan says
May 24, 2015 at 6:40 pmHi Jen, hooray!! You have written what I have been thinking for so long. I enjoy a drink now and then and have at times probably indulged too much….but lately I have been thinking more and more about the glorification of drinking and the social media postings from women posting about “needing’ a drink. I am the widow of an alcoholic who died from the affects of the disease. at 38. I was 30.
The joking of how much a drink is needed to get through life and the drinking culture that is heavily promoted through our sporting clubs and events makes light of what a serious disease this is and how it affects not only the drinker but the drinker’s family. My thinking and my own behaviour with social media has completely changed in regards to this issue and I applaud you for speaking out in such a public forum about it.
There is help if anyone out there has been affected by someones else’s drinking – I belong to a support group called Al-Anon here is in Adelaide, (but it is world wide). Most people know of AA for the drinker but are unaware that there is help also for the family and friends, whether you have grown up with drinkers or are living with a drinker now.
Thanks for such a great piece on this issue…..would love your article to go viral…but unfortunately the joking/glorification of drinking and the acceptance of it being “normal” will stop that happening…..but we can try!!!
Fi xxx
Jenni says
May 24, 2015 at 7:36 pmThanks for the tip about Al Anon Fi. I’m so sorry about your husband, what a terribly heartbreaking tragedy. Xx
merilyn says
May 24, 2015 at 7:17 pmgood on you for saying what you think jen! …
I have had an alcoholic uncle too and it’s not pretty! …
dad had to stop him from visiting us!
I had always had the nightly drink until 2 years ago and I stopped! … cold turkey!
since I stopped drinking, people don’t know how to deal with it! … but what will you drink! … byo!
we are not that social anyway!
it is so much the norm that people don’t even think it’s bad behaviour! … society gives permission when it condones something! … then they think it is ok! … this is the study of social science!
the influence on children with alcohol, drugs, violence etc is very alarming!
I agree! … we should stop glamourizing alcohol!
I’m going to have a nice cup of tea now hun!
much love m:)X
Jenni says
May 24, 2015 at 7:33 pmI bet you feel better for it Merilyn, enjoy your cuppa lovely x
LouisaG says
May 24, 2015 at 7:24 pmphew! I’ve found someone to hang with at the problogger event! I don’t drink, it certainly sends me into a deep dive into depression, and I can do that all on my own. Also I can’t have one drink. Its four bottles of wine later. I’m not sure I’ve ever been drunk, sober or shitfaced. Not cool. I skipped the party last year, as I struggled with my sobriety at the previous years event. Happily sober, but sometimes it’s awkward.
Jenni says
May 24, 2015 at 7:31 pmI will happily hang with you at PB…can’t wait hun x
Kirrily says
May 25, 2015 at 7:01 amA great blog Jen. I do drink, mostly in moderation, but have been known to overdo it and I have alcoholism in my history, although nowhere near the trauma that it brought you. I am one of the ones who occasionally post these types of comments. I know some of my FB friends completely overdo the whole thing, and I honestly think that they have not thought about the effects on young people. This has made me really think about the glorification issue in social media and I know it would with others. I totally agree and will be very mindful in future.
Well done
X
Jenni says
May 25, 2015 at 9:03 amThanks lovely. If people want to snap the occasional pic go for it, it’s the ones who overdo it. Be mindful of who is reading. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a glass of anything on your feed hun.x
Kathryn says
May 25, 2015 at 7:03 amYou are 100% right Jen. I have quite a few alcoholics in my family, and an ex who had ‘addiction’ problems – to booze and pot. It was always one or the other. Booze was way worse though. The mood swings, raging/frothing at the mouth etc. I do enjoy a glass or two of wine, and I am guilty of posting pics on Instagram. But I have noticed that a lot of the people I follow drink every single night of the week. Food for thought. Kathryn x
Jenni says
May 25, 2015 at 9:04 amDon’t feel ‘guilty’. It’s s discussion. Something I notice and wonder if others do too x
Smaggle says
May 25, 2015 at 9:44 amI struggle with our societal dependence on alcohol too. About a year ago I made a conscientious effort to stop hanging out with people if the prime reason was drinking. There has to be a meal attached, a walk before hand of some kind of an event like a movie. My mates are pretty well trained now to not make every social interaction we have about alcohol. I also go dry a few months most years and they’re used to it now.
Jenni says
May 25, 2015 at 9:51 amSounds like you’ve got it sorted Carly. social media is such a huge part of our youths world and I see so many alcohol related posts and wonder how that influences them. Alcohol advertising is gone from our TV screens but has shifted to other screens. I like that you take a walk before a movie 🙂
Jasmine @ Pretty Chuffed says
May 25, 2015 at 11:50 amI totally see what you’re saying here Jenni. I was a heavy drinker before children and have a lot of (undiagnosed) alcoholics in my family. Many of them cannot last one day without drinking or getting drunk. Having to not drink while pregnant and breastfeeding I think was the best thing that ever happened to me. It really was a wake up call. I’m still a ‘drinker’ (although I rarely drink), however I am much more aware of how my drinking would affect others and potentially how it could be perceived by my daughter. As such, I am very worried about how ‘normal’ drinking is in our culture – and how ‘abnormal’ it is not to drink! It’s totally crazy. Te fact is, many people can control their drinking however there are many that can’t, too, however it’s still seen as relatively normal to get drunk or drink everyday more than the recommended amount. I’m worried for the future. Also, I love your writing and even though I may not agree with everything I love how you have the courage to say it. Xx
Jenni says
May 25, 2015 at 1:09 pmThanks jasmine. My intention was never to point fingers or launch a personal attack but start a conversation around the impact of images and normalization of alcohol in our society. I know not everyone will like what I write so maybe I’m not writing for them…I can’t censor that this does disturb me. Great to read that you ‘get’ what I was writing about. X
MIchele says
May 25, 2015 at 6:28 pmHi Jenni,
Right with you!! What about drinking or being drunk is attractive? I believe alcohol should be treated like cigarettes – start phasing it out and eventually make it illegal …
Drinking and alcohol cause more deaths than smoking ever has. And the law seems to condone it, if DUI sentences are anything to go by. Just look at the court schedules to see how many drunk drivers are repeat offenders.
However, on a positive note, bloggers like you DO make a difference, in that you make everyone else stop and think – even if it is only for a second. At least we HAVE stopped and thought.
Cheers
Michele
Jenni says
May 25, 2015 at 6:57 pmIf it made people think then job done. There’s many issues surrounding alcohol…