to think mumnset won't be happy to hear middle class parents drink too much?

[Toothiepeg]

I don't drink at all. I agree with the findings of www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-19870190 this study. I'm guessing though that many mumsnetters will dislike hearing the truth?

As a nation we drink too much - it's as simple and horrible as that.

'Rubbish' research - well they collected responses from over 600 parents, spoke to field 'experts', conducted a literature review and a nationwide freedom of information request so it's not really something made up on the back of an envelope is it? Or are you using rubbish in the mumsnet sense where it means 'something I disagree with'?

Why do I care? Well it's honestly not to get smug points or be called a 'patronising, passive aggressive cow'. I do actually care about this issue because I've worked in a hospital and I've seen that drinking wrecks lives, and yet it is so underestimated. In terms of what impacts on health - over-eating not great, poor genetics and plain bad luck - also not great, smoking - really not great, poverty, definately not great - but more than anything else it's booze that causes suffering and yet has people lining up to apologise for it and defend their right to drink themselves sick. I read the BBC link today and I knew exactly the reaction I would get here. Exactly the reaction that occurs every time somebody suggests that maybe there's a bit too much boozing going on. The relationship between alcohol and aggression is well understood after all.

Well if you care so much why waste time stating what you feel is the obvious and do more about it rather than congratulating yourself and throwing obnoxious comments about aggression around?

Has anyone here said that they drink themselves sick? No.

And you didn't answer my question about whether your smug virtue extends to other areas of your life.

Yep I'm in that category. Was cooking a veggie curry and drank too much red wine in the process. Have a hangover today.

We need people like Op on MN though Expat.
To show us where we're going wrong.
What would we do without those random health warnings from some stranger on the Internet.
Op is clearly more aware of the dangers than us

600 parents, 600 parents who could be arsed answering a questionaire out of 600, 000 who couldn't be bothered. Pretty rubbish 'research' really.

Field 'experts' - who are they? What qualifies them?

National freedom of informationj request? Well that must be true then.

And a literature review? No disrespect but just because I think Tyrion the dwarf is hot and write it down doesn't make me correct. (Though I think I am).

The binge culture is worrisome. The everyday drinking of others is probably a health concern. Alcoholism is not funny. Alcohol is not the devil. Everything in moderation.

Alcohol is one of those things that is GOOD in small doses, fine in moderation and fucking dangerous if taken too much. There are dangers. But there is also much to be celebrated too. Chin chin.

Expat - what would you like me to do? Hang around the wine departments of supermarkets and wrest bottles from the hands of anybody who looks a bit too keen As far as I am able I raise awareness and challenge behaviour.

Alibaba - tbh I was a little embarassed about the crack thing. It used to be just Saturday but now it's Sunday and Friday too if the kids really push me......

@ aldiwhore

Just googled Tyrion and YANBU. Wouldn't mind being locked in a room with five of them crawling all over me, actually.

'Expat - what would you like me to do? Hang around the wine departments of supermarkets and wrest bottles from the hands of anybody who looks a bit too keen As far as I am able I raise awareness and challenge behaviour.'

Sure, why not? Or pass out copies of this article to people entering the supermarket or pubs.

Raspberry - far more people will read this thread than ever post on it. If one person reads this and thinks 'actually maybe I need to look at what I'm drinking' then it's worth the aggro isn't it? I think it is anyway. That's whay I posted - because this is an important issue and whilst I knew lot of people wouldn't agree with it, people do need to read about it.

Wow, all of SIX HUNDRED parents. Most of whom appear to drink lightly to moderately in any event.

Yes, that is pretty much what I mean by "rubbish research".

But you're not raising awareness or challenging behaviour.
You're just lecturing a mostly intelligent forum of all classes, who might actually be aware of the dangers of alcohol themselves, and repeating research.
Who made you the expert?

Oh of course! You're right! If I'd said 'women of mumsnet I think you might be a bit tipsy, a bit too often' then nobody would have called me smug and everybody would have taken the pledge by 4.30 right? Tbh I am too old and too tired to pussy foot around people's delicate feelings.

Expat - do you think I have a deathwish?

Bollocks, OP.

If you were genuinely concerned and wanted that "one person" to make a change then you would have linked to some quality studies and organisations, with some substantial information and advice, and you would have kept your own ego out of it.

Because that's what people do when they want to reach out and help other people.

kungfu - did you miss the link to drinkaware.co.uk?

Raspberry - I answered your query and you came back with more criticism. If you're looking for me to apply a hair shirt and stand here in my wrongness and be wrong then yes you're out of luck.

Well if you care so much why waste time stating what you feel is the obvious and do more about it rather than congratulating yourself and throwing obnoxious comments about aggression around

yes do this expat speaks sense volunteer with families who have alcohol problems in their families do that do something positive about it,

I make an informed decision to drink alcohol.

I am not stupid and don't need your OP to make me question what I am choosing to do.

As I said upthread we are all going to die of something at some point, some younger than others and those who may have led a life free from alcohol and other toxic substances will die anyway at a sadly young age.

Alcohol may play a part or genetics dictate that path regardless.

Yes. I did miss the link to drinkaware in your OP.

But that might be because it isn't there.

And it is your OP which sets out your intent and approach to the issue.

The relationship between alcohol and aggression is well understood after all.

Indeed. As is the relationship between insufferable smugness and

Good job I'm as common as muck, then.

I'm common so will continue to drink.....lots