Alkoholens meningsskapende og kontekstuelle funksjoner blant ungdom med ulik sosial bakgrunn

Abstract

In this thesis I have used two different studies to discuss the relationships between social background and alcohol use among Norwegian adolescents. In the discussion of this relationship, I have used theory based on socialization, Pierre Bourdieu and Émile Durkheim to explain the association between parental sosio-economic status and adolescent drinking. Adolescent drinking in Norway appears to be related to parental influences, cultural norms, and the meaningful function alcohol has in the construction of their identity. These factors will vary according to their social background. In some social contexts, for example “russetiden”, the social background is of less importance when drinking.