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A High School Graduation Rite of Passage for Sun, Sand, Suds, and Sex

Richard H. Schwartz, MD; Regina Milteer, MD; Michael J. Sheridan, DSc; Cynthia P. Horner, MD

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1999;153:180-183.

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 "beach week." 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.

From the Department of Pediatrics, Inova Hospital for Children (Drs Schwartz and Milteer), the Institute for Research and Education, Inova Health Systems (Dr Sheridan), and the Department of Family Medicine, Inova Fairfax Hospital (Dr Horner), Falls Church, Va.

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