Moderation in argument and alcohol intake

Victoria White (Opinion, 19th July) openly says of herself: “I am not ‘reasonable’.”

She has a fair point.

Her impassioned broadside against an array of ministers for dallying on a flagged proposal to wind down drinks’ sponsorship of sports and cultural events, carries many home-truths, but with something of a repellent drive. The patent truth is that drinks’ companies are firmly in the ascendant with regards to aggressive advertising opportunism in the social/leisure market-sphere. Whether a personalised ultra-moralistic diatribe is the most effective countering tactic, would seem doubtful.

Gushing forth about transmitted genetic imprints, whether alcoholic or autistic, is a rather tricky referencing when employed to boost and bolster one’s commentary. I’m not aware that there is any definitive evidence on either ‘genetic’ tendency.

Transgenerational patterning, however, could well account for some recurring typicalities, though specific gene-proven traits are unlikely. People, including all aberrant or at-risk teenagers, are constituted via a wide-ranging spread of ‘nature-nurture’ composites. Familial shaping and community influencing play a core part in social-emotional development, albeit laced with transgenerational ‘hangovers’.

There is, it seems, a beneficial social and physical health aspect to alcohol moderation. The pressing issue, of course, is to sustain the moderation quotient, rather than tipping into ‘tipple-hood’.

Jim Cosgrove

Lismore

Co Waterford