.. alcohol

On Thursday, April 18th, I find myself striding from 58 Stoke Newington Rd to Kingsland Rd in Dalston, tightly clutching a pair of pre-loved jeans wrapped meticulously in a lead-coloured medium parcel bag, braving the spitting rain and relentless gusts of wind. My mission: find the parcel shop and dispatch my package to its new owner, a mere 30 minutes before my best friend’s open mic night. However, as the weather conspires against me, the maps app on my mobile offers little assistance, providing only geographical coordinates—51.54464 N, 0.07568 W—instead of displaying the name of the nearest parcel shop. As I pass by quaint boutique cafes, bars, and eateries lining the road, I observe pairs and groups of girls gathered around tables adorned with half-empty glasses emitting vibrant green hues, accompanied by even more glasses formerly drained to the last drop. And then it hit me — in a world where memorable events often mark milestones, the clink of glasses and the taste of alcohol have become synonymous with the transition of young girls in their early twenties into adulthood.

As a Gen Z myself, I've become increasingly aware of a worrying trend among women of similar age to mine — from their early twenties to the onset of their thirties - the voluntary adoption of alcoholic social drinking as a statement of growing into womanhood. This thought has led me to wonder whether there exist cultural influences and peer dynamics that contribute to a broader societal narrative, where young girls see alcohol as the rite of passage into adulthood where they can finally shake off their teenage identities and 'reach the woman within’. It's important to note that this behaviour is not inherent only to females, guys are just as much affected by this phenomenon as girls but as I have been drawing the experiences and observations from my own life and perspective as a woman, I’ve decided to look into it from this angle.

Before delving further into this topic, it's essential to acknowledge that there are now non-alcoholic alternatives for almost every alcoholic cocktail available. However, it's unlikely that the majority of women at these social gatherings are opting for virgin mojitos. This isn't to suggest that there's anything inherently wrong with consuming alcohol; rather, it's about recognising a socially constructed norm. My intention is really to explore whether there’s a societal expectation that alcoholic beverages represent maturity and are a symbol of ‘becoming of age’. Therefore, I encourage readers to approach the content of this column with a critical eye rather than criticise it for what it’s aiming to draw attention to. 

In my own life, I’ve seen girls, myself included, who have fallen victim to this ‘trend’. Drinking alcohol was never about enjoying the taste of it, there’s hardly anything enjoyable about the bitter taste of beer and its metallic undertones reminiscent of rusted iron and stale bread. The idea of voluntarily subjecting oneself to drinking such a beverage was beyond my comprehension. Yet, despite my distaste, I vividly recall the occasion when I disregarded my preferences and purchased my first pint, yh.. a whole pint.. , during an outing with colleagues after landing my first 'real' job, as some people might like to frame the concept of a nine-to-five. It wasn't about the taste of the drink, nor the concept of alcohol; it was about the perceived act of maturity and independence of being able to purchase an alcoholic beverage with money earned from a ‘real’ job. However, this newfound sense of liberation was accompanied by a gnawing feeling of betrayal towards myself and the woman I was supposed to become, which I discovered later. Deep down, I sensed that conforming to societal expectations wasn't synonymous with personal growth. What began as an occasional social activity soon became a regular ritual, with friends and I gathering over cocktails to mark personal and career milestones. Ironically, our approach was naively driven by a desire to feel more grown-up than we truly were, equating womanhood with the ability to order alcoholic drinks.

A woman orders an alcoholic drink because she’s a fully grown adult.

This is a poignant reminder that societal norms can sometimes lead us astray from our authentic selves.

My colleague’s experience seems to have been very similar to my own, as she shared with me her routine of going out with friends on Saturdays and ordering cocktails over brunch at 11 o’clock in the morning, a plan they meticulously discussed days in advance. It's not just about the act of ordering alcohol; it's the ability to do so early in the day that holds significance. Many young adults view alcohol consumption as a marker of adulthood — a tangible way to assert their independence and infatuation with sophistication - because what better describes a woman if not the word ‘sophisticated’ huh? 

In the minds of many young girls, the ideal of womanhood is synonymous with being a sophisticated adult who ‘has her life together,’ depicted effortlessly holding a glass of prosecco, casually carrying a Vogue magazine in her purse, and striding confidently in 7-inch heels around the city on a Sunday morning before heading to the farmers’ market for a freshly made gluten-free loaf. This perception seems to be further reinforced by cultural influences that glorify alcohol in media representations like TV series such as "Sex and the City" depicting glamorous, cosmopolitan women sipping martinis and champagne with effortless chic, creating an aspirational image of womanhood intertwined with alcohol consumption while diverting the focus away from what womanhood should be depicted as to young girls - seeking the profound connection with one's inner self, where emotions, thoughts, and feelings are embraced and understood with a deep sense of empathy and awareness. Being in tune with the rhythms of her own heart and listening to her intuition by following her true soul’s desires. Nurturing herself on the inside through acts of self-compassion, self-reflection, and self-care. Honouring the sacredness of one's being, acknowledging the complexity and depth of one's emotions, and embracing vulnerability as a source of strength.

Indeed, societal norms play a significant role in shaping young girls' attitudes toward drinking. From advertising campaigns that associate alcohol with social success to social media influencers showcasing extravagant cocktail creations, the message is clear: drinking is not just an activity but a lifestyle choice synonymous with maturity and social acceptance. For many young women, especially, the allure of the "adult" world beckons, and alcohol serves as a tangible symbol of entry. The ritual of selecting and savouring cocktails becomes a form of empowerment, a declaration of autonomy over one's choices and desires. Cheers!

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