As if things in the world of Political Correctness could not be anymore restricted to other certain countries in the West, it arrived in Scotland yet again in the form of, 'how do you help children cope with the sight of alcohol?'. No Joke. Children, as the radio programme Scotland's Talk-In (hosted by Ally Baly on the Bauer Media network in Scotland) highlighted, were 'upset' by the sight (let this word literally be said - SIGHT) of alcohol in their everyday lives, according to a report issued by the Children's Parliament (opened in 1997) and Alcohol Focus Scotland.
Now, before you start jumping down my throat on how I'm (supposedly) not caring about the children, I have to confess that I am a teetotal myself so be rest assured on any bad assumptions about me (I did taste a tiny bit of Tenants beer in a car one time while my Dad picked up a family friend from Glasgow Airport and I threw up in the car to everyone's embarrassment and vowed not to touch alcohol until I reached the right age and then subsequently never again). Even if I don't quite want kids out of my own choice in the future, I do care about them; it's just there's a clear difference between not liking kids (but being polite and respectful to them at the same time) and hating them.
The kids expressed concern about alcohol during the Children's Parliament's consultations and projects surrounding the topic.
Cathy McCulloch, Co-Director of the Children’s Parliament, said: “Children have the right to have their voices heard in matters that affect them and we, as adults, have a responsibility to listen and respond.
“Throughout this process, children have been clear about the impact that alcohol has on their lives and what needs to happen to ensure that children’s rights to be happy, healthy and safe are realised. This report sends a clear message to all of Scotland’s adults.”
Sounds great, doesn't it? Getting kids to realise how much their health would be affected by alcohol, even if they became adults in later life. But, as things progress, you'll realise that all is not what it seems..
In workshops held in Edinburgh, the school pupils shared their experiences about relationships with adults where they felt compromised when they are under the influence of alcohol. This would lead to the kids feeling unsafe, bored, excluded and ignored as well as being concerned about the welfare of adults.
The children were able to describe alcohol being highly visible throughout their day within their local community and places such as hotels, airports and train stations.
They have also demonstrated awareness and knowledge of alcohol branding, with some children able to discuss certain brands, logos and their advertising strategies.
Finally, the school kids have recognised how adverts can hurt children as they promote alcohol as something desirable, exciting and cool. They feel that this might encourage adults to drink more and make it more appealing for children to start drinking in the future.
Now, it's no secret that we know advertisements can brainwash and mind control you into buying products you otherwise don't need (the obvious answer is to develop the willpower to say NO maybe citing certain examples like how Neds hang about in parks making a complete nuisance to everyone else with their Buckfast and people getting into fights while drunk) but you can tell by the language that my obvious solution is not going to be taught at all - the item itself has to be blamed. On children discussing logos, isn't that something we normally call CURIOSITY? The way children get to know the world around them so that they can become knowledgable in later childhood, into teenagehood and eventually into adulthood? I guess curiosity doesn't matter anymore when censorship takes priority.
Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “As adults we tend to assume that as an age-restricted product children don’t really notice alcohol advertising or people drinking. What this work has shown us for the first time is how often children are seeing alcohol – from opening the fridge at breakfast time, throughout the day in shops and on billboards to in their homes and on TV at night – and the negative effects it can have on their wellbeing.
“The Scottish Government’s forthcoming consultation on alcohol marketing provides a real opportunity to show we are listening to children and will take action to protect and promote their right to grow up healthy and happy, free from alcohol harm.”
Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick, who visited a workshop with Members of the Children’s Parliament, said: “It is crucial that we seek and listen to the views of children and young people in determining how best to prevent and reduce the impact of alcohol on them.
“The Children’s Parliament Investigators have done a great job in capturing and sharing the experiences of many of their peers, providing a unique and sobering insight which will help to inform the proposals for our consultation on restrictions to alcohol marketing issuing next spring.”
Wow! Restricting the advertisements of one particular product to stop people buying it, sounds rather Orwellian, right? Rather about restricting freedom of expression and speech than tackling the real issues in society, quite a narcissistic move. As for alcohol in the fridges, who doesn't have parents that keep alcohol in the fridge? Not every parent ends up completely addicted to alcohol and then face all manner of consequences to their livelihood, there are a majority of responsible adults. The cans and bottles have to be kept somewhere good, otherwise they won't taste good at all! Might as well chuck it in the bin while you're at it. A little bit of instilling some fear into the child as to what will happen to their health if they drank alcohol too young will greatly help keep them away from drinking it in the first place. But no, the alcohol advertising has to be restricted in areas 'where kids will see it', which nowadays would prove a good fancy term for EVERYWHERE YOU GO. So just like tobacco, the alcohol will have be tucked away, all in the knowledge that kids won't see it and buy it (like they ever will). If you ask me, this is just asking for the banning of any product and/or item of just pure expression (e.g. posters advertising about certain protests, humourous clothing, flags & merchandise, particular political candidates, events, etc) because 'SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN!' What a nice way to use them as a shield to push a political agenda, even in the Children's Parliament to help make laws to dictate to Adults what they can and cannot do. What sad times we live in.
Sources:
https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/14720/childrens-parliament-call-action-limit-young-peoples-exposure-alcohol
https://www.childrensparliament.org.uk/our-work/alcohol-free-childhood-consultation/