The expectations children have about the effects of alcohol are shaped without actual drinking experience. Positive expectations explain why kids will drink even though almost no one enjoys the initial taste of alcohol.
How then are these expectations formed? They are likely formed through vicarious processes of watching others like family and friends. Also, media outlets like television, movies, and radio often portray postive images of drinking. A good example of these images are recent pop songs.
The singer Rihanna has a song called “Cheers (Drink to That),” with lyrics such as:
“DON’T LET THE BASTARDS GET YOU DOWN
TURN IT AROUND WITH ANOTHER ROUND
THERE’S A PARTY AT THE BAR
EVERYBODY PUT YOUR GLASSES UP
AND ILL DRINK TO THAT”
The Black Eyed Peas released a song in 2008 called “I Got a Feeling,” with the following lyrics:
Fill up my cup
Mazal tov
Look at her dancing
just take it off
Pink also had a recent song of the same genre called, “Raise Your Glass” with similar lyrics.
These are clear examples of information children can use to establish alcohol expectancies. These songs are played on pop music stations that children listen to. Whether they actually listen to the lyrics and develop expectations is something that could be tested experimentally. What are other songs that have alcohol expectancy lyrics (positive or negative)?