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Original poster

DS19 never drunk alcohol and no interest

79 replies

GladysGeorgina · 12/12/2021 19:35

My DS19 is having a year out before uni, working to save some money. His friends who are at uni already seem to be having social lives involving alot of drinking. DS has never had any interest in trying any alcoholic drink. He prefers water! (unlike younger dd who is a lover of parties with plenty of cider) I am mildly concerned this will mean he struggles to fit in when he goes to uni next year. Anyone had any experience with teetotal teen offspring?

OP posts:
Nivealove · 12/12/2021 19:36

You cannot be serious.

Hen2018 · 12/12/2021 19:37

What a silly OP.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 12/12/2021 19:38

One of my DDs has very little interest in booze. Loves uni and has found her tribe there … some drink, some don’t. It’s not that unusual so don’t worry.

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19 years old
MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 12/12/2021 19:38

He’ll be a social pariah, he’ll spend all his time alone in his room, people will mock him for being a weirdo, they’ll probably make memes about him.

Wink

Or he’ll be one of the many many young people nowadays who have no interest in drinking.

Nivealove · 12/12/2021 19:39

Just be happy that your DS is not easily peer pressured and that he is surrounded by good people/friends who respect his choices, make him feel included, don't ridicule and include him.

LondonWolf · 12/12/2021 19:39

My almost 19 year old has never drunk alcohol. Just doesn’t appeal to him. That may change of course but I hope it doesn’t! I don’t think as many youngsters focus on alcohol in the same way as we used to.

Original poster
GladysGeorgina · 12/12/2021 19:39

Absolutely serious. He doesn't drink and I'm worried it will make settling in more difficult. I'm not suggesting he starts drinking in order to fit in, just after experiences of other mums of teetotal teens.

OP posts:
BigSandyBalls2015 · 12/12/2021 19:39

I don’t think it’s a silly question, this did concern me a bit as all you hear about freshers is the partying. Plus if they’re lucky enough to get onto a sports team there’s all sorts of pressure to drink and initiation ceremonies etc.

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 12/12/2021 19:39

Im 38 and have had maybe 5 alcoholic drinks in my life, never had a problem fitting in Confused

IsolaPribby · 12/12/2021 19:40

My DS is 22, and has ASD. He doesn't like trying new things, and has never drunk anything other than water. This is definitely not something I'm concerned about!
It's also very handy to have someone in the family who can be relied upon to always be able to drive 🚗 🙌

Rainbows246 · 12/12/2021 19:40

My niece was like this. She does drink it occasionally now she’s older but she socialises differently and is much more a homebody than a party girl. It never stopped her making friends etc though.

I thought there was a lot more younger people that didn’t drink now in comparrison to my 90s experiences.

IncompleteSenten · 12/12/2021 19:40

Mine are 21 and 22 and have no interest in alcohol at all.

Tal45 · 12/12/2021 19:40

I'm amazed that anyone could see this as a negative.

Hen2018 · 12/12/2021 19:41

Do you think that there won’t be anyone else there who is not drinking? Do you think they drink during lectures, tutorials, whilst having lunch together, in the launderette or the other 22 hours of the day that they’re not in the pub?

What about all other students who don’t drink, the Muslims, those who drink rarely?

It’s really a middle aged pursuit now.

Queenthistle3 · 12/12/2021 19:41

I'd be proud of him

Blossom64265 · 12/12/2021 19:42

The wonderful thing about university is that it allows you to meet a wide variety of people. He will find his tribe. They will be much more interesting than the mobs who think a good time must involve copious amounts of alcohol.

JohnHunter · 12/12/2021 19:42

I never had any interest in alcohol. This didn't limit my social opportunities at university or subsequently.

Original poster
GladysGeorgina · 12/12/2021 19:42

Please don't misunderstand me. I am perfectly happy he doesn't drink. Just wanting reassurance I suppose.

OP posts:
JLQ1020 · 12/12/2021 19:44

When I was at uni 5-6 years ago there was a few of our group that didn't drink. They still had a great time and we still included them in nights out etc. Also great to have a sober friend or 2 to make sure u get home safe. Huge market right now for non alcoholic drinks and mocktails. Its a bit bonkers you are worrying about this TBH. I don't think you are in touch with the current generation more and more are deciding not to drink because they don't enjoy it.

Parky04 · 12/12/2021 19:46

My DS21 only drinks water and milk. He has never touched alcohol. He went to Uni and he fitted In OK. His friends were not big drinkers either. A lot of youngsters are choosing not to drink alcohol.

DinoMamasaurus · 12/12/2021 19:47

I don’t have a teetotal teen but I was one! I had a great time at uni and went out, did all the normal things. Had lots of friends. Obviously friends knew I didn’t drink but I don’t think it was really noticed much to be honest. Didn’t have any negative experiences because of not drinking. I just didn’t like it and didn’t see any point in forcing it. Would rather have something I liked.

It’s not been an issue since either.

Popopopo · 12/12/2021 19:47

This is a non issue. I'm sure it's much more common than you think. I had friends that didn't drink and no one gave a toss. They hung out with people who did much worse than drink too!

Oblomov21 · 12/12/2021 19:47

Are you serious? Ds1 is nearly 18, about to sit A'levels, applied to Uni, and doesn't really drink, a very occasional one. Most of his friends are the same. Done drink a lot.
I just can't see this as a problem OP.

Peakypolly · 12/12/2021 19:48

My DS has finished his degree at a university this year which is well known for drinking. DS has never been a big drinker but has had no problem with socialising, even in Rugby society which has the 'worst' reputation.
Two observations I would make are, that my DC's generation drink far less than mine did at Uni and secondly, DS is not the sort to draw attention to that fact that, after one Guinness (he says he enjoys the first long gulp and leaves the rest) he orders a coke.
Just chatting to my DD, in her final year at Uni (she will have alcohol) and she says she can think of 3 people in her friend group who don't drink at all. I can't think of any when I went!

AlternativePerspective · 12/12/2021 19:49

I had 0 interest in alcohol growing up. I never liked the taste, think that most of it is vile in fact,and was completely teetotal until I was in my mid 20’s but even then I maybe had 1/2 drinks a year, and then it was something like archers which tasted more like soft drink than alcohol.

Now I’m on numerous medications for a serious heart condition and I never drink anything.

I couldnt’ have given a shit if people didn’t want to mix with me for not conforming to the “let’s get smashed” norm, my only issue was that there were people when I was growing up who used to say things like “I’d love to see you drunk, it would be fun to spike your drink one day.” Hmm Angry but no alcohol certainly doesn’t affect someone’s ability to fit in, they just don’t fit in with the crowd who go out and get wasted during the first term of uni, but there will be plenty of people who don’t.

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