MADD Teen Influencer
March 2025
reasons St. Patrick’s Day has become synonymous with drinking and the date on which the holiday falls. It also is within the Christian season of Lent, a time of abstaining from certain food and drink, including alcohol. In celebration of the life of their patron Saint, Irish Christians removed the restrictions associated with Lent on this day and threw large parties to commemorate his death. The second reason beer and St. Patrick’s Day is closely tied has to do with the Irish immigration of the 1840s. Fleeing to America to avoid the Potato Famine of the 1840s, thousands of Irish immigrants flocked to New England, bringing their culture and religion with them. More than a thousand years since the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland has become less of a symbol of Christianity and of the Irish people themselves. Wanting to celebrate their heritage, Irish Americans threw the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Boston in 1737.
The break from Lent makes St. Patrick’s Day the top on-premises beer-drinking holiday in the United States. Unfortunately, this means that many teens partake in the festivities as well, which can have devastating results. Research shows that the human brain doesn’t finish developing until a person’s mid-20’s, and alcohol consumption can stunt that growth. A person whose first sip of alcohol comes at age 15 is six times more likely to become alcohol dependent than someone who starts drinking at the legal age of 21. The
prefrontal cortex controls a person’s threat-assessment and risk-taking and is the last part of the brain to develop, which is why teenagers often make dangerous and risky decisions. While St. Patrick’s Day has a long and interesting history, there are still dangerous consequences to the celebrations that the day has become known for. There are other ways we can celebrate safely with friends on St. Patrick’s Day not involving alcohol. Wear a festive green outfit for the day. Cook an Irish meal with friends. Attend a local parade. Plan an evening of games and activities, and serve non-alcoholic beverages. Have a safe and fun St. Patrick’s Day!
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