Re-framing 'binge drinking' as calculated hedonism: Empirical evidence from the UK

摘要: Background: Recent debates on ‘binge drinking’ in the UK have represented activities of young drinkers urban areas as a particular source concern, constituting threat to law and order, drain public health welfare services risk their own future well being. The discourse moral panic around people’s has pervaded popular media, policy academic research, often differentiating excesses from ‘normal’ patterns alcohol consumption, although practice definitions vary considerably. However, recent research this area drawn notion ‘calculated hedonism’ refer way ‘managing’ consumption that might be viewed excessive. Methods: paper presents critical analysis contemporary discourses British context, highlighting contradictory messages about responsibility self control relation liberalisation licensing laws extensive marketing people. analyses communications which present drinking crucial element ‘having fun’, an important aspect social lives. empirical study involves focus group discussions individual interviews with people aged 18–25 three Britain: major city West Midlands, seaside town South-West England small market also South-West. Results: initial findings varied forms meanings socialising took these In results illustrate ways is constituted managed potential pleasure. Conclusion: concludes term better describes behaviour they manage pleasure alcohol, than emotive drinking’. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.