@article{ref1,
title="Beach week: a high school graduation rite of passage for sun, sand, suds, and sex",
journal="Archives of pediatrics and adolescent medicine",
year="1999",
author="Schwartz, R. H. and Milteer, R. and Sheridan, M. J. and Horner, C. P.",
volume="153",
number="2",
pages="180-183",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Every year, thousands of suburban high school graduates from mid Atlantic states flock to nearby coastal beaches for a long-anticipated rite of passage known as &quot;beach week.&quot; Sand, sun, and sea, and also smoking, binge drinking, drugs, and sex, are reported to be dominant themes. OBJECTIVE: To document risk-taking behaviors by girls during beach week. METHOD: Fifty-nine female suburban high school graduates who attended beach week in 1996 volunteered to fill out a confidential printed survey. Twenty-five girls (42%) completed the survey during a typical beach week party. Their activities were verified on site by a peer, recommended by her grade advisor for her integrity and popularity. Breath alcohol values were obtained at entry and departure from the party. The remaining 34 girls completed the supervised survey 2 to 3 months later. RESULTS: Daily cigarette smoking (54%), daily drunkenness (75%), and sex (46%) were the norm among respondents of our survey. Few reported first-time sex (n = 4) or drug use (n = 2). Abstinence from drugs (67%) and sex (55%) was not unusual but only 12% abstained from getting drunk. Sixteen girls (64%) reported that they drank 8 or more beers/wine during a typical beach week party. By departure from the party, 15 girls had breath alcohol values of 0.017 mmol/L or greater (reference range, <21.7 mmol/L), and 8 additional girls had breath alcohol values of 0.01 mmol/L to 0.015 mmol/L. Fifteen percent of the 59 reported injuries or illness were related to alcohol or drugs. CONCLUSION: Most respondents enjoyed beach week but a large percentage engaged in serious risk-taking behaviors.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1072-4710",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}