How to Educate Adolescents to Make Responsible Decisions About Alcohol Consumption in a Media-Influenced World?

In the realm of fostering responsibility and awareness among adolescents, the learning and evaluation situation (SAÉ) "Your Judgment – 4th Secondary" offers a deep dive into the decision-making processes facing ethical dilemmas, with a focus on the impact of media and advertising messages on alcohol-related behaviors.

This unique educational initiative aims to equip fourth-year secondary students with the necessary skills to navigate a world where media influences on alcohol consumption are ever-present.

Through a series of interactive activities, ranging from classroom discussions to the development of argumentative texts, students are invited to explore the complexity of ethical choices and critically evaluate alcohol representations in the media. Various resources, including comics, posters, and videos, serve as starting points for deep reflections on the contradictory messages young people may receive about alcohol, and how these influence their perceptions and behaviors.

The goal is to lead students to a nuanced understanding of the dilemmas related to alcohol consumption, enabling them to identify value conflicts and inherent dualities in these choices. By emphasizing the consistency between personal values and actions, this SAÉ encourages young people to develop a thoughtful and responsible approach to alcohol consumption.

Aligned with the Québec Education Program from the MEES, this SAÉ addresses essential development axes such as the knowledge of the consequences of personal choices on health and well-being, as well as the critical appreciation of media representations. Ethics and French competencies are mobilized to enable students to articulate their opinions and build strong arguments, thus promoting constructive dialogue and critical thinking.

"Your Judgment – 4th Secondary" thus stands as a valuable tool for teachers wishing to engage their students in deep reflection on the issues related to alcohol and the importance of informed decision-making. By encouraging young people to position themselves against media pressures and opt for responsible behaviors, this SAÉ contributes to the formation of conscious, critical citizens capable of making choices beneficial to their health and well-being.