Alcohol age restrictions and the divorce rate?

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Here's the thesis; I think that there is probably a correlation between the time that state alcohol consumption ages rose from 18 to 21 with the rise in American divorce rates. Here's why, couples don't dance anymore. Think of it this way, dance clubs are now just one stagae of longer production line to get into bed. On the other hand, as recently as the 1980s, dancing and sex were complements or even substitutes. Young people danced to determine and express their compatibilities with one another. When states rose the drinking age from 18 to 21 night clubs couldn't afford to stay in business. Where they used to service customers between 18 and 21 their customer base radically shrank. These clubs shut down, the content of music changed, etc. Now no one dances and everyone gets divorced.

Hat tip to Geoff Lea for the fun discussion.

2 Comments

Jeremy H. said:

I would love to see your instrumental variable.

(PS, I went contra-dancing with my girlfriend a few weeks.)

I'll bet that's what you say to all the girls.

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This page contains a single entry by Dan published on March 23, 2007 9:25 AM.

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