Blog #8 - Research Question in Conversation with Sources

My original research question concerned the current drinking age and its impacts on college students today. How successful would a new drinking age be (18 years instead of 21 years) based on the lifestyles and drinking habits of college students today? But, based on some of the readings, I think a more appropriate question would be why do most students in college drink excessively, and despite its negative effects, continue to do so? My points supporting my argument include how culture shapes our drinking habits, how social norms can change how we perceive others, and how students may not realize the dangerous of their drinking.

The type of culture someone is raised in affects how alcohol is treated, such as its purpose or the way it is used. Culture creates certain boundaries and rules that are blindly followed. The "myopia theory" expands on this idea further. The "myopia theory" explains that a drunk is more sensitive to his environment (than when he is sober) and abides by the rules that are in front of him. Instead of being completely numb to his environment, as the "disinhibition theory" suggests, the person pays particular attention to the standards and expectations established by culture.

Social norms play a large part in why and how much students drink. The influence of both friends and family affect someone's drinking. According to recent research, students who "overestimate the drinking of their peers and who perceive their friends as more approving of alcohol have more problems because they drink more." If someone was drinking with another group of people, or perhaps by himself, then the amount of alcohol consumed would change. Also, less social anxiety would result.

In terms of the dangers of drinking, some students do not realize that they could be "problem drinkers." Many students drink on a regular basis (every week) in heavy amounts. They do not perceive this as problematic (maybe because of social norms or the fact that it is ritualized), but in essence, the amount of drinking being done is unhealthy and excessive. Many students may not realize that their drinking is out of hand and may be blind sided to future problems with alcohol.