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Parenting > Parenting Teens

Spring Break: Dangerous Diversions
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The life of a college student is filled with classes, tests, expectations and stress.  It's no wonder then that when Spring Break rolls around that fun and relaxation are on the agenda.  Unfortunately, what equates as fun and relaxing to the typical college student involves substances and activities that are potentially dangerous—alcohol and sex. 

Every spring, approximately 1.5 million college students leave the hallowed halls of their colleges and universities to indulge in excess.  And they pay a high price for their fun…more than one billion dollars. But what are they spending their money on? The American Medical Association released a report which stated: "Spring break is no longer an innocent respite from the rigors of college academics; it's potentially life threatening."

Each year in Cancun, Mexico, a major spring break destination for American college students, the city and hospitals report an increase in deaths, rapes, injuries, assaults and arrests related to drinking. In Daytona, Fla., another popular spring break destination, last year county officials reported twice as many rape cases during the month of spring break.

"Spring break is broken," said Dr. Hill. "What was a traditional time to relax and take a break from college studies has turned into a dangerous binge-fest."

Drinking: 

In a poll of college students, 83% of the respondents said that spring break trips involve more or heavier drinking than occurs on college campuses.  In a typical week, the average consumption of alcoholic beverages tops out at 6, but on spring break, the daily intake of alcohol jumps to a staggering 10 drinks—per day!   The scariest part of this is that many college students use drinking as an excuse for outrageous behavior.

One spring break promoter's Web site for a trip to Cancun says, "your yearly intake of alcoholic consumption could happen in one small week." It then advises college students to tell parents "it's an educational trip" and "don't worry about the water because you will be drinking beer."

Sexual Activity: 

Many students view Spring Break as an opportunity for promiscuous, and at times even dangerous sexual activity.  In fact, in 2010 a survey concluded that 76% of male college students want to sleep with someone they meet while at Spring Break.  Only 19% of women have the same plan, but that could be because 60% of those women know a friend that had unprotected sex while on Spring Break. 

Girls engage in sexual activity to "fit in," while 33% of boys say, "I would have sex with someone I met on Spring Break if it seemed like everyone was having sex."  The consumption of alcohol is directly related to the casual attitude toward intimate behavior.

Other Options: 

Alternative spring break trips, that often emphasize community service, have been increasingly successful across the country. The University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. and the University of Wisconsin-Madison are just a few schools that offer service trips to desirable destinations without alcohol as the focal point.

The AMA said the poll results highlight the need for policy change, including offering alternative spring breaks and restrictions on alcohol advertising on campus. Physicians are encouraged to counsel parents about talking with their children about the health risks of alcohol use and spring break.  Here's a Driving Under the Influence Contract to help you open up the conversation.  

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