Alcohol Discourses among Ladakhi Youth in the Context of Acculturation

Alcohol consumption among young people has been a great concern in the West. New research concerning the process of globalisation and acculturation points to a disturbing increase in alcohol consumption in the youth of developing countries, such as India. Research has also shown that discourses and attitudes concerning this problem are of grave importance in regard to the management of this increase. The present study examines the ambiguity found in earlier discourses on alcohol in Ladakh, and then compares it to the empirical findings in a recent survey of alcohol discourses and perceptions among Ladakhi youth. Findings indicate that a vast majority considered there to be an increase in alcohol consumption among the Ladakhi youth, and a majority found this consumption to be problematic. As many Ladakhis reported alcohol usage to be higher for Ladakhis outside of Ladakh, as Ladakhis who reported it to be the same as in Ladakh. A narrow majority blamed the individual for alcohol problems, while most of the young Ladakhis requested a preventive intervention from the Ladakhi society. The perceptions were categorised and thus revealed a continued ambiguity in the attitudes towards alcohol consumption in the context of acculturation among Ladakhi youth.