Isn't Spring Break about a nice time on the beach playing sand volleyball, dancing, and sipping fancy drinks? Well, if you are in a 1960's beach movie it is, but the reality is more like an R-rated teen romp. Most Spring Break trips are promoted as trips with no rules and no boundaries, which poses some important questions and temptations for many Christian teens considering going with their friends on Spring Break. So, what are the temptations on Spring Break trips that Christian teens should be aware of before they head to these popular destinations and what are some alternatives for Christian teens?
Why is Spring Break Appealing?
The most appealing part of Spring Break is to get away from daily pressure, from classes to parents. The freedom of Spring Break can be intoxicating in itself as students get away from regular rules to a place where they can make their own rules. However, many students are not necessarily prepared for what they will see or experience while on Spring Break.
The Drinking and Drugs
Many Spring Break trips are promoted as drinking trips. The University of Wisconsin conducted a study on Spring Break drinking and found that 75 percent of college males along with 44 percent of college females were intoxicated daily while on Spring Break. Of those students studied, half of the males reported they had passed out at least once from intoxication during Spring Break, and 40 percent of the females reported the same.
What do these statistics mean? The large number of students drinking heavily on Spring Break also mean lowered inhibitions and a lack of understanding what is happening around them. If you are trying to stay strong in your faith, heavy alcohol consumption can lead you down a path you may not be prepared to walk. They can also lead to dangerous behavior like drunk driving.
Decreased Inhibitions
Besides drinking, drugs and sex also run rampant on Spring Break. Things like wet t-shirt and boxer contests are just the start of the open-sex atmosphere on Spring Break trips. There are strip contests and sexual simulations that occur right on the beach. Girls flash their breasts like the common Mardi Gras practice. Sex is discussed, and sometimes seen, fairly openly.
Sex is another temptation for Christian teens on Spring Break. A recent study by the American Medical Association reports that approximately 50 percent of students had friends who had sex with more than one partner on Spring Break. The AMA report also stated that approximately 3 out of 5 women had friends that had unprotected sex while on Spring Break. Decreased inhibitions means that students can make some unsafe sexual decisions. Women reported a 74 percent increase in their sexual activity during Spring Break.
Crime
Crime is also a concern for Spring Break vacationers. The no-holds-barred attitude of many students often leads to the destruction of hotel rooms and robberies. Also, many scam artists target the teens on Spring Break, knowing that inhibitions are lowered so they can easily scam students out of their money by offering them money making schemes or deals that will never come to fruition.
Spring Break Alternatives
While many teens head off to Daytona or Cancun, Christian teens may be seeking more tame destinations or seeking to participate in activities that help them strengthen their faith rather than fall into temptation:
- Alternative Vacation Spots: If you really need a vacation, finding an alternative vacation spot rather than the typical Spring Break locales may be more appealing for Christian teens. Not every teen is seeking the MTV experience, so you may want to find an affordable vacation elsewhere.
- Mission Trip: There are many organizations that plan mission trips during Spring Break. Not only are Christian teens avoiding the temptations of Spring Break, but they are also spreading the gospel around the world.
- Outreach Activities: If you are not sure you want to leave town for Spring Break, consider doing some outreach or volunteer work at home. See what your local youth group has planned. Try offering your assistance to someone in need.
