Club Culture: The Glamorization of Partying

With the rise of Euphoria and other major pop-culture influences, the glamorization of club culture is on the rise, especially in underage crowds. High schoolers are portrayed as spending their weekends in clubs or parties to appear “cooler” to their friends. Clubs are shown to be busy, hip places, where people come together to dance, drink alcohol, and often use drugs in the mix. The clubbing subculture as we know it today broke into the mainstream around the 1980s and 1990s.

Many young people dream of their first time going to the club because of the way mainstream media portrays it as an essential rite of passage. Today’s teens and young adults are beginning to enter this party culture at younger and younger ages. With the rapid growth of the internet and digital comes increased access to purchase a fake ID, and the illicit businesses selling them are more than happy to profit off of as many people as possible.

Coupled with the expansion of underage drinking, struggles with alcoholism are beginning to become prevalent among younger and younger crowds. Many people only think of alcoholism as affecting older individuals; however, it has become a very real issue to begin abusing alcohol at an age younger than 21. With today’s teenagers delving into party culture headfirst before they even reach the age of 18, they can become burnt out of their nightlife tendencies by the time they even reach the legal drinking age.

Despite the issues surrounding club culture, it does have allure: nightclubs are often embellished with mesmerizing visuals and light shows paired alongside trendy and exciting music. Individuals can also express themselves through fashion and their outfit choices. Clubs are a space to be free, let loose, and socialize. Many people are drawn to this experience because of how freeing it feels.

While club culture can be an exciting and inviting space, the risks are real. For example, people with ulterior motives often prowl these nightclubs, sometimes with sedative drugs, looking for victims among partygoers having a fun night out. This is especially concerning for the underage teenagers in these spaces.

Club culture and partying have their risks, but it can still be a fabulous outlet for stress. Pop culture displays these spaces as freeing and exciting, which they absolutely can be. Yet, it is important to consider the risks that these experiences possess. Alcoholism is becoming deep-rooted in the younger generation, and dangers can lurk in dark nightclub corners. Club culture can be glamorous, but it's even more exciting when enjoyed responsibly.