The World Cup is not a celebration for everyone

The author, Elin af Klintberg, contends that the widespread celebration of the FIFA World Cup in Sweden can obscure the detrimental effects of alcohol on children. She points out that one in five children in Sweden live with an adult whose alcohol consumption negatively impacts them.

Klintberg observes a fine line between public festivity and potential danger. She criticizes the prevailing alcohol debate in Sweden for almost exclusively focusing on adults, thereby neglecting the experiences and vulnerabilities of children. The author suggests that children learn about football not just from the game itself, but also from the emotional atmosphere at home. They can discern the mood from the cheers in the living room, angry tones from the kitchen, or the force with which the front door is opened hours later.

These children learn to read the emotional climate long before they can identify players, understand league standings, or follow the tournament bracket. Their understanding of the game is filtered through the emotional state of the adults around them, particularly concerning alcohol consumption during events like the World Cup. The piece serves as a commentary on the societal tendency to overlook the impact of adult behavior, especially concerning alcohol, on the youngest members of society during widely celebrated events.