I feel that this binge drinking phenomenon is glorified at university. People argue that students are not the culprits of excessive alcohol consumption more than any other group in society, but I disagree. Of course the students are not actually to blame, the clubs and bars that offer cheap deals

Hannah, London,

"Very worrisome that increasing numbers of women are turning to drink"

Has anyone considered that - much the same as men - women drink because it is fun and they enjoy it? It is not considered problem or issue when groups of men get drunk, so why the different reaction for women? Sexism perhaps?

Elaine, Doncaster,

Izi, have you heard of a little place called the US? The UK is much more tolerant than the US about drinking. In lots of the world it is outlawed. While we may be more conservative than some of the other European countries, we are certainly not conservative.

james, Sussex, UK

The thing is, the English are generally a very conservative bunch of people and it often means they are boring. So in order to help this state, they give into drinking on nights out in order to have fun, this also applies to some parts of Europe. It is different in other countries i've been to :(

Izi, coventry, UK

As someone at my university in place of power for over 6000 "freshers" I am fully aware of the pressure put on people to drink as soon as they arrive. There needs to be a change. When did women neck dirty pints in their underwear worthy of a rugby initiation? Don't ban freshers week, improve it.

Lucy, Cheltenham,

If any woman thinks that equality with men means trying to outdrink them, she is a very sad case and a very poor protagonist for gender equality. In the past, women made up for their lack of opportunities by being regarded as more responsible than men in their behaviour re: sex, drink & fighting.

John, Sandhurst,

I fully appreciate going out and enjoying some irresponsible drinking. We've all done it. But what's rendered me a sensible drinker was not only a decent upbringing, but being unlucky enough to see scores of men being tipsy, and the women being far worse. I'm embarrassed on their behalf

Adam, Chester, UK

surely the problem is that there are no recognised alternatives- no-one goes out for just a couple of drinks let alone goes out and stays sober unless they are driving maybe - the perception is that no-one can have fun unless under the influence and that the alternatives are staid and boring

F C, newcastle upon tyne, uk

It's interesting that a pre-feminist society somehow gets the blame for young women binge drinking today: "Gender boundaries are fluctuating and the restraint of past generations could even be acting as an incentive for today’s young female to drink".

Matthew, Oxford,

At least they're not using the addictive, harmful, dangerous drugs the government has kindly prohibited us from even trying.

Wait-
I've never heard of anyone OD'ing on ganja
Or getting addicted to LSD-25
Or suffering organ failure from chronic Nitrous Oxide use...

Ah well, I guess they know best!!

Sheltz, Northampton, UK

Women are still expected in society to be 'ladylike' and not do the same things men do. Clearly some take drinking too far, and I'm not advocating binge drinking, but people talk about female drinking like it is extra bad because they're not being perfect little girls anymore. Its a form of sexism.

Sally, London, UK

Women drink for the same reason as men: because it's fun. I won't list why, as it's pretty obvious. And the reason a lot of people binge drink is because, generally speaking, the more you drink the more fun you have, or think you'll have. Especially if you are shy or lack self-confidence.

Alex, London,

its up to them let them get on with it

jimmy fingers, durham, england

As a student I believe that the idea of banning fresher's week is wrong I mean the whole idea of it, is to bond and have fun for the first week so that you can find your feet and if that happens to be excessive then so what? A student can't afford to go out everynight they would be broke by the end of the month. The media is talking like this is a problem of the present but if you look at politicans pasts at university you find a culture of binge drinking so I find it rather hyprocritical of them to suggest that we are an "out of control generation" of "ladettes". If you want to tackle the problem of binge drinking then don't look at university students as the cause because we don't have the funds to be the person going out every weekend getting ratarsed look at other parts of society like the middle aged women drinking in silence and the thirty something socalites using their hard earn cash to let loose once in a while from the mind numbing work they are subjected to everyday.

Ruth, Norwich, UK

Well, alcohol has become a new culture. I wonder if ladies ever considered about rising medical costs and the hassle they have to go through if they are ever diagnosed with appendicitis. Its a pity if the liver has to go, but it will be a painful to go through it.

Prem Kumar, Singapore, Singapore

Well that's just sexism to the greatest extent? Why shouldn't females be allowed to drink as much as males?

Ellen, Kent, UK

It's England! It's our culture.

In the heady heights of Paris people don't party in the streets, laugh, dance and fall down drunk. Traffic cones on heads would never get the green light: Manifestation after manifestation block the roads. People are involved. They are not drinking in and to apathy, but drinking in philosophy and rights.

The danger is not only drinking, but lack of awareness that drinking brings. Reality is becoming strangled by surveillance and as everybody is too busy not noticing, the situation will get worse and worse, until it gets so bad, it might be too late!

Kit Brandon, Paris,

I don't think that these problems can be sorted until the reasons for why young girls turn to alcohol are addressed. For example, there is still pressure to conform to the 'right' image of women in society and a massive factor must be stress - which is particularly relevant when studying for a levels and university degrees.

Simone H, Wakefield, West Yorkshire

I work as a dentist and women, especially the young ones, have a a sickly sweet smell on a monday morning or occasionally on Saturday morning when I have worked. I could not understand why everyone had a similar smell, It must be the alcohol.

Genco Abbandando, Truro, Cornwall

Very worrisome that increasing numbers of women are turning to drink. A woman who drinks while pregnant is blighting the future of her offspring - there is no safe level of alcohol for a pregnant woman. It is one of he surest signs of a degenerate and reckless society.

Paul S, Cheltenham, Glos