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Maj, I tend to use sweeping generalities to make a point.
You do create a picture of a 1950's style world....
posted by
Cynthia
on September 9, 2006 at 7:01 AM
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Here comes the nitpicker.....(me!).
"...more often than not, get killed"...really?? A majority? (Just being a kiljoy here).
In the past, country youth were part of the workforce and lacked the wherewithall to get liquor (except steal it from their parents) or congregate, especially after dark, and get drunk. If you weren't in school, you were working, and if you weren't working or in school, you left, probably to the city, or the military. You were with your peers in school, or at events sponsored by local organinzations (Kiwanis, scouts, Grange, 4H, church, organized sports) which greatly lessened the whole subculture of youth drinking/inebriation.
And, as you so aptly mention, they mimic their parents, who did the same, not to bring mass media and mass marketing into the picture.
posted by
majroj
on September 7, 2006 at 9:15 PM
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Your insight
is exceptional. You are 100% right. The city lights do have a certain allure about them and many young kids end up on the streets. I will pop into the site. I do know that many wine farmers pay "bonuses" with wine. Not helping the Western Cape alcoholic situation at all.
posted by
Tanga
on September 4, 2006 at 9:15 AM
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Tanga, interesting point, but we have two very different political,
social and cultural history represented between South Africa and the American west. The American west is overwhelmingly white. The big move west for these folks happened generations ago. In SA and Africa in general there may be a big more recent influx of young people moving from farms to the city to look for work. If they are young, uneducated black kids, that could be difficult for them, driving them to poverty, crime, drinking and drugs.
My company (documentary film) distributes a DVD by a South African filmmaker that looks at the wine business in SA and compares two vineyards and how their worker policies deal with alcoholism among their employees. It's very interesting. The film is called "AFTERTASTE". You can see a clip on our web site at: www.der.org
posted by
Cynthia
on September 4, 2006 at 7:42 AM
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Whacky, You could still say that if kids drinking
till they vomit, pass out or die is an example of being wild. It's more just a a downward, sad, spiral.
posted by
Cynthia
on September 4, 2006 at 7:28 AM
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I must disagree
in terms of South Africa. The farm community kids drank a lot less than the City kids in South Africa. There was always something to do on the farm. I think you hit the nail on the head regarding the parents' example. If parents are drinking excessively it is natural that the kids will follow suit. Parents in rural areas need to be very involved with their children in order to keep them on the straight and narrow. You cannot do this if you are drunk. Sounds as if that area of America has a problem and it must be nipped in the bud before is escalates to uncontrollable proportions. As for legalized drinking and driving - Oh my goodness.
posted by
Tanga
on September 3, 2006 at 10:33 PM
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It sort of looks like in some ways the west is still wild.
posted by
Whacky
on September 3, 2006 at 5:18 PM
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