The authors contend that adolescent drinking is a normal part of the socialization process, wherein teen-agers experiment with and acquire adult behavior. The high incidence of adolescent drinking buttresses this argument. But the authors further contend that adolescent abstinence is as deviant as excessive drinking. I agree with their position. I had to turn that 'no' into 'yes' or die trying.
Risk is part of growing up.
Young people are not robotic anonyms and should not be regarded as such. They are human individuals and have an ancient, instinctive need to experiment. Paternalism dampens the spirit, fosters resentment, and perpetuates itself. If we invoke science to dress prejudice as policy, we do not merely pervert science. We demean policy and the laws we live by as well.