"21 at 21" Freaks Mom Out

"21 at 21" Freaks Mom Out

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Mom•Logic's Julie: New trend of drinking 21 drinks on 21st birthday scares me to death.

When I read the New York Times article about the ritual of drinking 21 or more alcoholic beverages to celebrate the 21st birthday, I started nervously counting the years until my own kids hit that milestone. According to new research, 34% of men and 24% of women who drank on their 21st birthday reported consuming 21 or more drinks that night. And the results can be deadly.

There are countless instances of people dying of alcohol poisoning on their 21st birthdays. B.R.A.D. (Be Responsible About Drinking) was founded by the family and friends of Bradley McCue, a Michigan State University junior who died of alcohol poisoning after celebrating his 21st birthday.

I drank a lot in my college days. Looking back, I was probably at risk for alcohol poisoning on more than one occasion. But I guess back then I felt invincible, as most young adults do. I feel incredibly lucky that I am alive. If I would have succumbed to alcohol poisoning at 21, I would not be married to the man of my dreams. I would not be the Mom to two incredible children. I just hope that when my own kids hit 21, they won't follow stupid and reckless traditions like "21 at 21," and will be smarter about drinking than I was.

My son's got 14 more years until he hits his 21st. I better start instilling these lessons in him now, while he still willingly listens to me. This is one message I want to make sure he hears loud and clear.

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When I was 30 and recently divorced, I went to a friend’s fraternity and discovered a party where they have you drink a number of cheap, varied alcohols. The “brothers” treat it as a huge joke in public, but it cures a lot of young people of foolishness by making them really sick from the nasty stuff. However, there are only 9 drinks in that particular ritual. (And no one forces you to drink all of them, by the way. You can stop whenever you want.) On the one hand, I think that getting “good and drunk” with your friends sponsoring/helping you/making sure you get home safe is a valuable ritual for today’s young folk. But of course, the ritual discussed here is obviously going waaaay too far.

- scyllacat

Posted 04/12/08 02:00 PM

This is so scary to think about. I wish my kids could stay little forever.

- Proud Mom

Posted 04/12/08 05:50 PM

This is the first I have heard of this and I have 3 daughters over the age of 21 and one more coming up in 10 months. I just got IM by her boyfriend, by chance, and asked him if he knew of this trend and he said he did. My daughter that I am speaking of was a senior in high school when I asked her if she ever heard of the choking game, because I had just heard of it on Dr. Phil! She said she had and had even seen someone doing it!! These kids know alot more than we think they do, even though we think we read alot. It is scary to know that they know this stuff before we do!

- Pam Winters

Posted 04/12/08 08:50 PM

yikes - now that aging, and needing to MOVE lots, and eat fairly ‘anal-y’… 21 beers scares me………. but remember (u.) days when last day of classes when hundreds of us ‘greek’ nuts attempted to “drink the board” —— involved getting t-shirt with bar (“Vous”) on front, and every bottled beer on back - must have been dozens.. but was badge of honor to have all crossed-off (always by a cute boy!

- sue

Posted 04/12/08 10:07 PM

My daughter who is 22 told me about this a couple of years ago. She assured me that the bartenders are fully aware of the kid’s birthday and therefore they make sure that all 21 shots are totally watered down. It’s a stupid stupid thing to do but my daughter goes to a huge well-known school and it’s become a ritual when one turns 21. Sad but true.

- elaine

Posted 04/12/08 11:52 PM

I think this is a prime example of natural selection. I was studious when I was 21 and now I have a Doctorates and make real money, Kids that do that stuff sound like a product of the working class.

- - Jen

Posted 01/06/09 05:22 AM