The New Temperance Movement?

Jane McGregor, Lecturer in Substance Misuse at the University of Nottingham, has submitted a 'think piece' about the emergence of a new temperance movement.  The following is an extract; download the full document and references here.

‘Binge drinking’ as a concept is a changing entity. The term is in common use but the various definitions of binge-drinking reflect perhaps the disparities between sociological, medical and ethical discussions on alcohol consumption. The binge drinker has come to replace earlier epithets such as ‘lager lout’ (MCM Research, 2004) and the new term offers ever increasing opportunities to impose moral regulation and control. What has influenced the term ‘binge drinking’ meaning in recent times?  Are we witnessing a new temperance movement? If so, what's currently influencing this?

In contemporary society the health status and vulnerability of the body are central themes of social and political discourse. Individuals are expected to take responsibility for their bodies and limit their potential to harm others through taking up various preventative actions (Petersen and Lupton, 1996).

McGregor goes on to argue that

• the term ‘binge drinking’ provides a means by which society can demonise the behaviour of drunkenness and promote more moderate consumption

• the new Temperance emphasises two main themes: a shift away from biomedical emphasis towards social factors, particularly ‘lifestyle’;  and a recognition of the multifarious problems associated with alcohol and the need for multifarious solutions

• the new Temperance movement, if such a movement exists, owes much to a faith in the ideas of science and social progress. It relies heavily on the belief that individuals should be assisted to achieve their full potential through their own and others’ efforts. It calls for self-regulation and management.

Comments

[Jmaes Heaton]

I have a Hymns and Songs for temperance societies and band of hope
I think this should be preserved in some way.
If you are interested or know of someone who is
Please email me and could forward it on to them
the date in the book is 1834