Assignment #4: Systembolaget - Predition or Blessing?

First of all I want to make something very clear: While reading through the second assignments I also got the impression that many people think of Sweden as an alcoholic country and all inhabitants seem to be always deadly drunk. Looking to the empirical side of life we have to accept the fact that Sweden is one of the countries with the lowest rate of alcohol consumption in Europe. The highest level of alcohol consumption takes place in Germany, England, Scotland, France, Italy and Austria. This only as a remark!

But what is it with the drinking habits of the Swedes so many people are irritated about? I think they drink less alcohol than other people from Europe over the year but when it comes to a party Swedes, men and women, tend to consume more alcohol then and consequently seem to be deadly drunk. This can be an explanation why Swedes change their behaviour at the weekend. I think everyone of us has experienced the effect of being drunk! You feel invincible and great.

But is the “alcohol system” working out in Sweden? I think no! First of all I had to discover that Swedes are allowed to buy alcohol when they are 21. Before that age-limit they are not allowed to get into contact with alcohol. In Germany we are allowed to buy beer at the age of 16 and hard booze when we turn 18. That means that Swedes have no chance to make their first experiences with alcohol when they are younger. They also have no chance “to get used to alcohol”. When getting 21 many people freak out because they experience the drug alcohol in an almost unknown way.

Furthermore I want to state that alcohol is seen as an almost “dangerous and forbidden drug” that has to be locked up to the commonality in a special building/ institution called SYSTEMBOLAGET. But I know from my own experience that something that is forbidden is even more attractive to experience when you have to get the chance to try it. In my home country alcohol is seen as a staple food and not as a luxury good. I will not say that teenagers and young adults have no alcohol problem in Germany. That is not the point. But I can argue from my own experience that it is easier for us to deal with alcohol and to experience its natural limits than it is for Swedish people.

I think parents should play a more active role in familiarizing their children with alcohol earlier when they turn 16 or 18. I really like to consume alcohol but I do not change my character only because I am drunk. I know my natural limits and don’t have to be completely wasted only to have fun.