The Economist has recently published a captivating series of articles that delve into evolving dynamics within Western culture. The first piece, titled Aging disgracefully, explores a surprising surge in promiscuous behavior and drug use among the baby boomer generation—yes, my generation. The second article presents an interesting contrast, revealing a marked decline in such behaviors among younger individuals:
The trend towards youthful sobriety is prevalent across much of the affluent world. In 2024, illicit drug use among adolescents in America plummeted to historical lows, according to a nationwide survey released on December 17th by the University of Michigan. Alcohol consumption also saw a decline. Researchers found that even cannabis usage is swiftly decreasing among the youth, despite its legalization in nearly half of U.S. states over the past decade. European studies echo these findings, showing continued reductions in drug and alcohol consumption as well.
What accounts for this vanishing act of youthful excess? There’s no single answer. Children today are scrutinized more closely than in previous generations, and a growing proportion of young adults hail from more temperate immigrant cultures. Age verification checks at bars are more common; streaming platforms and video games present cheaper entertainment alternatives than the local pub; and dating apps offer a more appealing avenue for romance than stumbling across it on the sticky floors of a venue named “Snobs.” The evidence is clear, and this trend appears poised to endure. Ironically, it seems to be the parents who have become the new problem generation.
If you live long enough, you witness all sorts of unexpected trends, and this one certainly takes the cake. I had always assumed that wild antics were the domain of the young, while older individuals opted for a more conservative lifestyle.
While I am not advocating for drug prohibition, perhaps we should consider flipping the script on restrictions: instead of a minimum age for cannabis consumption, let’s introduce a maximum age. Naturally, I jest, but these articles provoke a serious discussion. Over the past few decades, countless individuals have faced imprisonment for marijuana distribution. Proponents of the war on drugs insisted that we needed these harsh penalties to protect the youth, arguing that young people would misuse legal substances due to their lack of maturity. Yet, it now appears that the entire premise of the drug war was built on a shaky foundation. The legalization of marijuana correlates with a significant decrease in its use among young people. So much suffering, all stemming from a fundamental misunderstanding.
Consider Titian’s Allegory of Prudence:
