Fanta Who? These French Kids Drank Wine on Their Lunch Breaks

Ah yes, France! The capital of love, romance, and even wine! However, France’s deep connection with wine is more than just a classy combination. While it is now enjoyed by people all over the world, France had a different approach to it when it came to allowing children to consume it. The country’s history with alcohol, especially with children is an intriguing matter to discuss. This is the story of the French kids who drank wine on their lunch breaks at school until 1956.

The French Kids That Drank Wine at School

Before 1956, children were permitted to drink wine with their dinner, often diluted. The Ministry of Health’s decision to ban the use of wine in schools at that time was particularly shocking to parents. However, nowadays, the idea of children drinking wine is unsettling to many except for the French.

Why Did These French Kids Drink Wine?

People believed that alcohol could kill microbes. It also appeared to provide relief for a child’s cold by warming the chest. Consequently, alcoholic drinks were commonly consumed during lessons, driven by national advertising and cultural attitudes that strongly endorsed this practice.

Parents frequently placed an alcoholic drink, usually half a liter of wine, cider, or beer, in their child’s school basket. In instances where head teachers prohibited such drinks, some parents reportedly encouraged their children to consume the alcohol. This included even during breakfast before going to school.

The Ban

Until August 1956, the Ministry of National Education in France did not explicitly prohibit the provision of alcohol to minors under the age of 14 on school premises. Older children were allowed to use the school canteen if their parents approved. Additionally, their alcohol consumption was restricted to “one-eighth of a liter per head.” However, during this period, there was a notable increase in alcohol consumption, particularly among young people.

The decision to introduce an age limit and ban on alcohol in schools faced pushback from various quarters. In March 1956, the National Advisory Committee on School and University Health recommended the prohibition of alcohol in schools, citing concerns such as students nodding off in class and exhibiting signs of hyperactivity. The initial test run of the ban took place in a boarding school, where underage drinkers were found to be more prone to classroom drowsiness and behavioral issues.

What Happened Afterwards?

The ban on alcohol was eventually extended to include all school-aged children, a move that was generally welcomed by educators who saw improvements in student focus and behavior. The shift away from alcohol in schools gained momentum as advertising campaigns promoting milk consumption, with slogans like “to be studious, strong, and vigorous, drink milk!” became more prevalent.

By September 1981, high schools in France implemented a complete ban on alcohol, with only water permitted at the dinner table. This transition went hand-in-hand with François Mitterrand’s election as president. Notably, Minister of National Education Alain Savary reportedly issued directives prohibiting the serving of alcoholic drinks in school cafeterias or restaurants, even in the absence of water supplies. This marked a significant shift away from the longstanding practice of allowing alcohol in school settings.

While this is definitely a taboo nowadays, it is interesting to see how things in history have developed over time. Who would have thought children would be drinking alcohol at school nowadays? I sure didn’t! And that is exactly why context is also important.

You might also want to read: 5 Ingenious Ways To Open a Bottle Of Wine Without A Corkscrew