...the opinions of each. People believe that since the age of eighteen is the legal adult age in the United States of America that young adults should be able to make their own decisions on the consumptions of alcohol. Teens are still able to get alcohol due to parents, older siblings, friends, and other family members. Also, allowing eighteen to twenty year-olds to drink alcohol under supervision should lower the issue of underage drinking, and it will be good for the economy too. However, there are a lot of consequences that come with drinking at a younger age, such as eighteen year-olds have lower maturity than twenty-one year olds. Therefore, eighteens year-olds are more likely to get into negative alcohol and alcohol-related outcomes. With taking all opinions into consideration, you can see why this has been an ongoing debate on whether the minimum legal drinking age should be changed back to eighteen year-olds. I believe the debate should conclude on the prevision of allowing young adults to have the ability to make their own decisions upon alcohol consumption. Drew Saylor noted the effectiveness of the minimum legal drinking age, “The current push for lowering the MLDA centers on college campuses and the argument that an age 21 limit is ineffective or even worsens the problem of college binge drinking.” (330). The minimum legal drinking age of twenty-one is powerless due to the fact the eighteen year-olds are still able to get into...
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...Effects of Alcohol on College Students The use of alcohol among college students has been a recurring theme for years now. It is almost guaranteed that college students will be introduced to alcohol at one point or another during their time at school. Students taking part in drinking at college can be traced to a number of different factors: peer influences, fraternity and sorority involvement, social norms, etc. These influences all affect a student’s motives for drinking in college. When college students drink, it is usually not in a safe, appropriate way. Binge drinking has become common on the college campus. The risks of this type of drinking have an impact not just on the college student. Other students, family, and anyone in general feel the effects of this type of drinking behavior. “Alcohol identity also predicted engaging in behaviors that place the student at much greater risk for personal injury, harm to others, and legal consequences—binge drinking, drinking games, drinking intentionally to intoxication, and drunk driving.” (Casey & Dollinger, pg.18, 2007) The outcomes of alcohol consumption have many different outcomes for each student, and the root of this drinking can be attributed to many different factors. The explanation of how college facilitates certain drinking behaviors is not a simple one. There are many factors that go into why college students begin to drink. Greek life, peer pressure, and social norms all play a part in alcohol consumption for students...
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...Academic Effects Of Alcohol Consumption Shannell Richardson Lindsay Barrow May 10,2000 Econ 312; Prof, Wolaver Academic Effects of Alcohol Consumption Introduction: In recent years, college students are consuming alcohol at increasing rates. According to the Harvard School of Public Health CoUege Alcohol Study (1999), 44% of the students surveyed were binge drinkers and 23 % were frequent binge drinkers. Binge drinkers are often associated with a higher probability of experiencing alcohol-related problems such as violence, car accidents, injuries and the tendency to disregard academic responsibilities. Much research has been conducted concerning alcohol consumption and its effects on academics in higher education institutions. In our study, we would like to filrther investigate this issue and apply it to Bucknell University. There is a widely accepted conception of Bucknell students' drinking behavior as excessive and dangerous. The Bucknell community, including administration and staff, believe that Bucknell students have a serious problem with alcohol abuse, especially binge drinking. We believe that heavy alcohol consumption can lead to a decrease in class attendance; lower achievement on projects and tests; and inability to concentrate on class material. We intend to uncover the relationship between Bucknell students' alcohol consumption and academics. In addition...
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...Running head: Drinking at College Games Drinking at College Games Joel Jordan Troy University Abstract The article, Blood (Breath) Alcohol Consumption Rates of College Football Fans on Game Day, was a quantitative research used to measure the consumption of alcohol drinking of Midwest college student during a home football game. This type of research was performed by having 536 college students, during tailgating, to only drink alcohol within a designated area within the college grounds. This article provided the various ways to lower the college students’ binge drinking by controlling the tailgating drinking areas. Drinking at College Games The purpose of this study was to provide the study of consumption of alcohol among large Midwest university students during the tailgating of home football games. This article sought to validate the time series study design of 599 people that were drinking during the college home games while tailgating. Glassman, Braun, Reindl, and Whewell believed that if there were specific areas labeled only for drinking and tailgating, that they could control the large consumption of alcohol among the individuals. There was also the assumption that it would not control the heavy consumption of alcohol, because individuals that wanted to entertain themselves by drinking would no matter what was being enforced on the universities grounds. Studies indicated drinking rate increase on game day when compared to other social occasions among...
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...Abstract This study examined the effects consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AMED), and gender had on overall alcohol consumption and negative alcohol related consequences. One hundred and seventy two Psychology students from Swinburne Online, (male n =92), completed a two part survey relating to AMED and alcohol consumption, and negative alcohol related consequences. Based on previous research, it was hypothesised that overall alcohol consumption and negative alcohol related consequences would not be increased by the consumption of AMED. It was also predicted that males were more likely than females to consume excess amounts of alcohol and experience more negative alcohol related consequences independent of drink type. Statistical tests supported the hypotheses that related to AMED, and partially supported the hypothesis that these variables were also influenced by gender. Based on survey results and a review of the literature it is advised that, independent of drink type or gender, consumption of alcohol should be limited to a maximum of four standard drinks per session, as advised by The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council safety guidelines. An Investigation into the Effects of Mixing Alcohol with Energy Drinks Over the last decade, there has been an increasing trend in the use of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED), and previous research has raised concern regarding this practice and the possible negative outcomes on health and behaviour...
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...twenty-one years old when you are considered an adult at the age of eighteen? At the age of eighteen you are not mature and responsible enough to purchase and consume alcohol. Alcohol has been around for centuries, showcased at parties, bars, sports events and just about everywhere. For these very reasons every day in our country the drinking age is being ignored and violated by young adults, teenagers, and even children all under the age of twenty-one. “On average ninety-five percent of those who will be alcohol consumers in their lifetime take their first drink before the age twenty one. Fifty percent of eighteen to twenty year olds consume alcohol on a regular basis” (McCardell 1). Based on these statistics we can conclude that the enforcement of the legal drinking age has fallen short. The most commonly known place where alcohol is consumed very heavily is on our college campuses. Many college students participate in binge drinking which is drinking of four or more drinks back to back.(Saylor 1) “Among college students, a decade's worth of research in the College Alcohol Study found the proportion of students engaging in frequent binge drinking had increased” (McCardell 1). Between the years of 1993 and 2001, there was a ten percent increase in college students drinking to get drunk (McCardell 1). Alcohol use...
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...Name Professor Title 24 February 2014 Alcohol consumption among freshmen Alcohol consumption is very common among freshman in colleges. Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause addiction, and this situation are known as alcoholism which is more dangerous because one cannot do without alcohol. Consumption of alcohol is dangerous because it causes disorder, road accidents if drunken people drive, can cause miscarriages to pregnant mothers, loss of jobs due to failure of one’s responsibilities at work and divorce among many others. Research shows that freshmen in colleges consume alcohol at much higher rates than other students. This may be because the young adults love to experiment with alcohol and most of them it’s their first time to have faced decisions about alcohol. Stress is also viewed as a factor that makes these students drink since many of them when interrogated claim that they drink to reduce stress. Stress is a major cause of alcohol consumption to college students because just a little consumption of it, makes one feel closer to his friends, his mood is lifted high, one starts paying attention to the moment and so, they end up becoming more care free. Alcohol consistently reduces the body's physiological stress reaction. This is dangerous because overtime it may become a vicious circle and one will be forced to drink more and more to gain its stress-decreasing effects. Major causes of stress among fresh college students These freshmen undergo a transition from...
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... Sociology Abstract Binge drinking on university campuses poses a concern for serious health issues and negative social implications. Education and awareness, about the non-gender specific short and long term effects associated with binge drinking, provides a mechanism for students to make informed decisions about the alcohol consumption levels they will indulge in. This report illustrates the risks associated with binge drinking and offers an info graphic for observation, and consideration by students that challenges them to stop and think before they engage in risky drinking behaviours. The information for this report is drawn from the research findings of studies carried out by a variety of academics and professionals. The objective is to alert or reiterate, to the entire university student population, the risks associated with binge drinking, and the hope is that students will be oriented toward making choices related to their optimal health and wellbeing and avoid binge drinking. For many students, relaxing after a difficult week of study and research is complemented by drugs and alcohol, and sometimes way too much of either or both. Evidence of imbibing plentifully can be witnessed on campus after wild nights, reminders of excess that lead binge-drinkers to unhealthy mornings and possibly to poor exam or paper results. The “What’s Your Cap?” initiative has presented a fun stress relief program and showed that other options to...
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...excessive consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. In the US, binge drinking is defined as consumption of five and above units of alcohol for a man or four and more units of alcohol for a lady in a single session. This term can also be termed as heavy binge drinking especially when it occurs more than twice in a week of more than thrice within a period of two weeks (Wechsler, Henry, and Toben F. Nelson, 2006). Almost 80% of alcohol consumption by youths is in a form of binge drinks. The most affected age is the age between 18 and 24, of which many these youths are college students. From a research, one of the big cause of binge drinking is by influence usually by adverts from beverage (alcoholic) companies. These companies put the adverts in a way that it seems attractive and fun to drink much, among the youths. Again peer pressure plays a big role in the cause of binge drinking among youths especially college guys. Other causes may be due to curiosity i.e. they want to be aware how someone feels when drunk, believing that someone feels so good when he or she is drunk (Cranford, James A., Sean Esteban McCabe, and Carol J. Boyd, 2006). Also due to some believes that one can reduce stress by taking alcohol push students to alcohol drinking mostly towards or after an exam. As per the latest report by National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about four in a group of five college students take alcohol. Also, more than 50% of those who take alcohol consume it...
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...Carlton WRT202 29 April, 2013 Making College Policy Stricter Due to Alcohol Consequences Excessive alcohol consumption is a serious problem on college campuses. Students are divided into groups known as light, moderate, and heavy drinkers. While consuming alcohol a light drinker will have one to four drinks, a moderate drinker will have between five and nine drinks, and a heavy consumer may have ten or more drinks in a single session. Kevin E. O’Gradey, a professor who earned his Ph. D. in 1980 from the University of Connecticut, states, “Heavy drinkers could be differentiated from moderate and light drinkers on age of onset of alcohol use, illicit drug use, and frequency of illicit drug use”. The consumption of five or more drinks in a row for males or four or more for females at least once in a two-week period is defined as binge drinking. Binge drinking is associated with the use of a variety of other illicit drugs. The College Alcohol Study, which includes thousands of students from 119 different colleges, states, “a strong relationship is observed between the frequency of binge drinking and past-year use of marijuana . . . amphetamines, LSD, other hallucinogens . . . with frequent binge drinkers being the most likely to have reported use of these other drugs in the past year” (O’Gradey). Heavy alcohol use by college students remains as much of a current public health concern today as it was a decade ago. The consumption of alcohol has many physical, sexual, social, and...
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...Hangover: Binge Drinking in College Drinking on college campuses, it happens. Just “drinking” isn’t enough, and binge or excessive drinking has become a social phenomenon… and in the eyes of college students, not a problem. Whether it is health risks, academic consequences, or social issues that may be caused due to binge drinking, it is not healthy for students. The Other Hangover is an anti-binge drinking campaign targeting college students nationwide. With the slogan “Put down the beer to keep your mind clear”, The Other Hangover is attempting end binge drinking one student at a time. What is causing binge drinking? Well it’s simply the thing to do in college. Students widely believe that alcohol makes them a better and more social person. In a nationwide survey done by CORE, students reported binge drinking to; enhance social activity, have something to do, have more fun, facilitate a connection with peers, break the ice, and have something to talk about. (CORE, 2011) The act of drinking alcohol is not exactly the problem, legal or not. The main problem is the act of binge drinking of college students, legal age or not. There are many students who binge drink and don’t see a problem with it. Many students don’t see an issue with drinking 10 shots and 7 beers in one night, and that is the problem. Due to social and media influence, drinking to the point of illness and possible hospital trip is the “cool” thing to do. After taking a trip to the ER for alcohol poisoning, binge drinking...
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...to crave for alcohol despite of repeated alcohol-related problems. The signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse are very similar, and are often just a question of degree or intensity. Typically, the last person to be aware that he/she has a serious drinking problem is the alcoholic himself/herself - they are in denial. Some signs and symptoms of alcoholism as well as alcohol abuse include, drinking alone, not being able to limit how much alcohol is consumed, dropping hobbies and activities the person used to enjoy; losing interest in them, feeling an urge to drink, having relationship problems, having problems with the law, having money problems, and requiring a larger quantity of alcohol to feel its effect (Videbeck, 2007). Alcoholism does not only affect the adults. According to Sociological theory, alcoholism is a learned response. This often happens at a young age. A child may see things around them or on TV of people drinking and they tend to believe that is the right thing to do. This addiction is primarily believed to be because of society's influences. This often will affect persons who mostly drink in groups. This theory is based more on the peer pressure a person might receive, so they often turn to alcohol drinking problems during college years. Moreover, it has become a public health concern because of its effect on the future of a child. The goal of the current study is to assess the primary psychosocial factors that predict problem drinking among college students. Variables...
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...Annotated Bibliography Labrie, J. W., & Cail, J. (2011). Parental interaction with college students: The moderating effect of parental contact on the influence of perceived peer norms on drinking during the transition to college. Journal of College Student Personnel, 52, 610-621. This article emphasized the fact that students tend to increase alcohol consumption during the first year of college. Research has shown that peers influence these decisions but, more importantly parents play a significant role on educating young adults on the dangers of alcohol. In this particular study a research project was conducted on incoming college freshman. Incoming college freshman were required to fill out an online questionnaire about their current drinking behaviors, intended drinking over the first semester, and how often they contacted their parents. Individual alcohol use was measured by questions on frequency of consumption. Intended alcohol use was assessed through questions involving how often a week that particular student anticipated drinking. Parent student contact was measured by asking how often students contacted their parents. They were asked separately for mother and father. After measuring these values, results showed that parents who have frequent conversations with their children about...
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...How does drinking alcohol increase a women’s chance of being sexually assaulted? “College attendance is a risk factor for sexual assault. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, one in five women who attend college will be the victims of a completed or attempted sexual assault, compared to one in six women in the general population”. (Wade P1) The most well known way is extreme intoxication. When a woman becomes very debilitated from too much to drink she can not become efficient enough to resist an assault. In some cases women have been sexually assaulted while being unconscious from too much alcohol consumption. Excessive drinking by college students has always been an issue and years of research have proven this. This particular topic...
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...legal consumption of alcohol. In most western states, it is illegal for individuals below 18 years of age to consume alcohol. Other countries have an age limit of 15 years (Miller, 2010). All governments have reasons for setting this age requirements for alcohol consumption. For example, some argue that raising the legal age limit may not have an impact on society if people do not have the will to stop irresponsible drinking. Others argue that raising the legal age limit would allow individuals to drink when they are mature and responsible (Kolander, 2011). This would reduce chances of irresponsible drinking. This essay aims at discussing the legal age for alcohol consumption and whether it should be raised. According to reports from several police departments, most youth consume alcohol when they have not met the age limit. This implies that raising the age limit is effective albeit dutiful parenting (Miller, 2010). The need to raise the age limit, therefore, becomes crucial in curbing the negative effects caused by alcohol consumption. However, altering the age limit does not provide a conclusive solution to challenges of alcohol consumption. Governments can also create awareness in schools through program initiatives that educate children on the negative impacts of alcohol. Religious and social groups can collaborate with the governments on this aspect so as to make it effective. Secondly, raising the age limit for consumption of alcohol will reduce the harm of alcohol on the...
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