Why does the word consent fly out of the window when a person is drunk?

So, I’m 19, just got my BSc in Accounting, and I’ve never been to a party—crazy, right? But I’ve heard all about them from friends and seen enough on social media to know they’re a big deal. One thing that keeps coming up is how the word “consent” just seems to disappear when alcohol’s in the mix. It’s like, why does being drunk make everything so murky? I’m no expert, but I’ve been thinking about this, and here’s my take. Alcohol messes with your head. I remember from a high school biology class that it screws with the prefrontal cortex—that’s the part of your brain that helps you make smart choices. When someone’s drunk, they might not be thinking clearly enough to say “yes” or “no” and really mean it. Like, in accounting, we learn you can’t sign a contract if you’re not in your right mind, so how can you give real consent when you’re wasted? It just doesn’t make sense. But it’s not only about what alcohol does to your brain. From what I’ve heard, parties are these wild scenes where everyone’s drinking, dancing, and sometimes hooking up. People act like if you’re drunk, you’re automatically okay with stuff you wouldn’t normally do. That’s so wrong. Just because someone’s had a few drinks doesn’t mean they’re saying “yes” to anything and everything. It’s like assuming you can take someone’s phone just because they’re too tipsy to stop you. That’s not how it should work. Then there’s the legal side, which is super confusing. I looked it up online, and in some places, being drunk means you can’t legally consent, but in others, it’s not so clear-cut. It’s like the rules aren’t even sure what to do. And I’ve heard people say things like “we were both drunk, so it’s fine.” That’s just a cop-out, especially if one person’s way more drunk or being pushed into something. Consent needs you to be clear-headed, period. If someone’s drunk, they’re not fully in control of what they’re agreeing to. From what I’ve heard about parties, we need to stop acting like alcohol makes blurry situations okay. Maybe it’s about teaching everyone to just chill and respect boundaries when drinks are involved. Until that happens, consent’s gonna keep getting lost in the chaos of the night, and that’s just not right.

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