Permissive Attitudes toward Alcohol Abuse among Young Military Dependents

This paper focuses upon patterns of alcohol abuse and permissiveness among a sample of 230 high school students residing in a U. S. military community in Europe. Patterns of abuse are seen as symptomatic of the military life style and the homogeneity of the environment surrounding the respondents. Analysis of data shows limited relationships between certain personal background variables and the tendency toward permissiveness. Such variables as sex and religious affiliation were significant in predicting degree of permissiveness. On the other hand age, socioeconomic status, ethnic background and length of stay abroad failed to show any difference between the respondents. Other analysis indicates lack of knowledge concerning basic facts regarding beverage alcohol and a general rejection or ambivalent feeling toward alcohol education.