Abstract
Patterns of acquisition of alcoholic beverages by underage youth were studied, using focus group methods with a sample of midwestern youth. Results showed that the alcohol initially used by those in their early teens is obtained from parents' stocks or from older siblings and friends. By the midteens, parties at which alcohol (usually beer) is readily available become the major source. In the mid to late teens, young people purchase alcohol from commercial alcohol outlets, despite the fact that 21 is the legal age for purchasing alcohol. Factors reported to increase the rate of successful alcohol purchases include female buyer, male seller, young seller, and convenience store outlet. Results of focus group interviews revealed the easy accessibility of alcoholic beverages to underage youth. Further investigation into patterns of underage access to alcohol is recommended, with results from the focus group study guiding the design of probability sample studies to assess their generalizability.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Gonzalez G. M. Early onset of drinking as a predictor of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems in college. J Drug Educ. 1989;19(3):225–230. doi: 10.2190/W3RE-MWRR-D8TL-74V0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hingson R. W., Scotch N., Mangione T., Meyers A., Glantz L., Heeren T., Lin N., Mucatel M., Pierce G. Impact of legislation raising the legal drinking age in Massachusetts from 18 to 20. Am J Public Health. 1983 Feb;73(2):163–170. doi: 10.2105/ajph.73.2.163. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- O'Malley P. M., Wagenaar A. C. Effects of minimum drinking age laws on alcohol use, related behaviors and traffic crash involvement among American youth: 1976-1987. J Stud Alcohol. 1991 Sep;52(5):478–491. doi: 10.15288/jsa.1991.52.478. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Robins L. N. Sturdy childhood predictors of adult antisocial behaviour: replications from longitudinal studies. Psychol Med. 1978 Nov;8(4):611–622. doi: 10.1017/s0033291700018821. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Williams T. P., Lillis R. P. Changes in alcohol consumption by 18-year-olds following an increase in New York State's purchase age to 19. J Stud Alcohol. 1986 Jul;47(4):290–296. doi: 10.15288/jsa.1986.47.290. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]