Final answer:
College students may feel pressured to drink due to a combination of social norms, increased stress from financial and academic pressures, and lack of support. Pursuit of wealth and fitting in at social events are also contributing factors. These pressures can lead to higher alcohol consumption among students.
Step-by-step explanation:
College Pressure to Drink
According to a study conducted at the University of North Carolina, one reason that college students feel so much pressure to drink is the pervasive social culture that exists within college environments, where drinking is often seen as a normative behavior for socializing and coping with stress. Factors such as increased college tuitions, burdensome debt, and the challenge of finding employment after graduation can add to the stressors that might drive students towards alcohol as a means of escapism or relief. Moreover, the lack of support systems typically found in college, in comparison to the high school environment, could make students more susceptible to peer pressure and engagement in risk behaviors such as binge drinking.
Additionally, non-traditional students might face extra pressures, balancing education with raising children or maintaining full-time employment, potentially using alcohol as a coping mechanism. Psychologist David Myers mentions that the pursuit of wealth through higher education can be a contributing factor, as students may sacrifice their happiness in the quest for financial success, increasing overall pressure and possibly leading to higher alcohol consumption. Social gatherings, such as parties where alcohol is consumed, may also indirectly pressure individuals to drink simply to fit in or as a direct result of the environment they are immersed in.