Alcohol Consumption Has Been Increasingly Thesis

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As the desire, to be successful would push everyone to engage in some form of alcohol consumption. Where, those individuals who were engaging in such activities were often viewed in positive light, by being thought of as team players. This is important, because it underscores how the common stereotypes of low income individuals drinking alcohol is not true. (Magadelna, 2004)

Evidence of this can be seen by looking no further than the data that was collected. Where, it would show how an increase would take place in the number of individuals who are consuming alcohol. As the older someone becomes, would have an effect upon their overall levels of alcohol consumption. The below table illustrates how the overall amount of alcohol consumption will increase with each age group. As the older and wealthier and individuals become will be more inclined to become moderate drinkers.

Income vs. Age Group Alcohol Consumption

Daily Drinks

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

0

30.4%

38.8%

41.0%

0 -1

45.5%

44.8%

43.5%

1-2

6.5%

9.0%

9.9%

3 +

2.3%

3.6%

2.9%

Average Income

$31,517.20

$39,735.50

$48,533.00

(Magadelna, 2004)

The above figures are significant, because they highlight a how the more income that someone is making. The greater the chances, that they will begin to consumer at least one to two drinks per day. However, when you look further at these different statistics, the largest amount of binge drinking was reported among the 30 to 44-year-old demographic. At the same time, the number of people who were non-drinkers was highest among: the 45- to 59-year-old age group. What this shows, is that in general income will cause the number of drinks that people are taking to increase. This is can be seen with the rise in the number of individuals taking 1 to 2 drinks per day. As the older that someone becomes, means that they will make more money and will begin to drink more frequently (as moderate drinkers). The sharp increase in non-drinkers in the 44- to 59-year-old age demographic indicates that some kind of shift could be occurring with this group. As income and age, could force a certain number of individuals to go to either end of the spectrum. (Magadelna, 2004)

Demographics

The various demographics of the respondents were subdivided into a number of different groups to include: gender, ethnic groups, marital status, education, career path and the changing levels of economic prosperity. The below tables illustrates the different demographics of research respondents.

Gender Demographics

Gender

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

Female

62.0%

61.6%

53.8%

Male

38.0%

38.4%

46.2%

(Magadelna, 2004)

Ethnic Groups

Ethnic Group

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

White

65.4%

59.1%

72.5%

Black

32.5%

38.8%

25.4%

Other

2.0%

2.0%

2.2%

(Magadelna, 2004)

Marital Status

Marital Statues

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

Married

35.7%

61.4%

65.8%

Single

27.1%

14.5%

5.3%

Divorce / Widow

6.3%

19.7%

25.3%

(Magadelna, 2004)

Education

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

Education Level Avg.

12.9

13.2

13.5

(Magadelna, 2004)

Career Path

Career

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

Blue Collar

44.1%

44.5%

32.3%

Professional

39.1%

41.3%

48.4%

(Magadelna, 2004)

Changing Levels of Economic Prosperity

Economic Prosper.

18 -- 29 Years Old

30 -- 44 Years Old

45 -- 59 Years Old

Increase Wealth

7.0%

11.5%

5.0%

Negative Wealth

17.7%

15.2%

7.9%

Positive Wealth

64.9%

64.2%

76.1%

What all of the demographic information shows, it that the population sample took into account a large number of variables, to ensure as much accuracy as possible. This is important, because it can be used to corroborate the findings with other results (due to the fact that a diverse group of the population was examined).

When you step back and look at the underlying findings of the study, it is clear that income will cause the underlying levels of alcohol usage to increase in groups that are making more money.

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Where, these individuals will more than likely begin to drink between one and two drinks per day. While, the total number of binge drinkers would decline and the amount of non-drinkers would increase. However, it appears as if the underlying age of the individual will play an important role in determine how often they will drink. Evidence of this can be seen with the constant increase in non-drinkers from 30.4% in 18 to 29-year-olds to 41.0% in 45- to 49-year-olds. At the same time, the number of binge drinkers would peak in the 30 to 44-year-old age demographic. This is significant, because it shows how two trends are emerging. One is concentrating on the increasing amounts of drinking, with the rising levels of income. Yet, these increases are taking place in the group of moderate drinkers. This is indicating that people are more inclined to drink when there is an increase in their income. At the same time, the increases in non-drinkers with age, indicates that this could also be a major factor that is affecting how many drinks an individual will have during the course of the day.

Accuracy

To determine the accuracy of these finding requires corroborating the results with other studies that were conducted. The idea is that by taking this kind of research and then correlating the findings with one another will provide the most accurate results. The reason why is because you are comparing the result from our sample with other samples that were taken. When you put these different elements together, this means that we can be able to make the most accurate inferences about the role that income will play in alcohol consumption.

The study that was conducted by Elgar (2005), would examine the how income would have an impact on alcohol consumption, by examining the underlying effects in young adults. Where, researchers would sample 11 to 15-year-olds, in 34 different countries, the results were: that income did play a role in determining the first time that a teen would begin drinking and the frequency. As they found that those adolescents who are from more wealthy families were inclined to engage in these kinds of situations, in comparison with young people from lower income levels. (Elgar, 2005, pp. 245 -- 250) This is significant, because it is corroborating the underlying findings with one another, highlighting how a trend is occurring with alcohol usage and income levels. The information from this research is useful, because it helps to identify specific factors that could be affecting how income levels are having an impact upon alcohol consumption rates. The fact that this study was able to sample a different population demographic; allows us to support our findings and confirms the trend that is taking place.

The research that was conducted by Heien (1996) talks about how there has been conflicting studies that are occurring. Where, some are highlighting the fact that income levels cannot be directly linked to increases in alcohol consumption. While at the same time, others are showing that income will have an impact upon the alcohol consumption. In this study, Heien is attempting to determine which view is more accurate, through the use of regression analysis and correlating data. This was complied by various hospitals on the underlying effects of income on the individual. The results were that there was a direct link between income and the total amount of alcohol that is being consumed. In this case, respondents were more inclined to drink when they were seeing an increase in their income levels. While those individuals; who were often non-drinkers were from the low income backgrounds. This is significant, because this is corroborating the information that was identified from the previous study. At the same time, it is highlighting how the study that we conducted was able to identify the underlying trend that is taking place.

The article by Beckman (2010), discusses how the individual will drink more based upon their underlying levels of income. Where, they cite various statistics in.....

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