College Drinking: Reframing a Social Problem / Changing the Culture

Review of the original edition“In comparison the other recent books on the topic, Dowdall’s book is more broad-based, yet also more comprehensive, and utilizes a wider range of scientific and professional resources, and provides more evidence-based suggestions for change to a wider audience. If there is a book that can reach all intended audiences (college administrators, governmental policy makers, practitioners, scientists, parents, and students), Dowdall’s book seems to do it. Readers of varied backgrounds should all come away with useful information and suggestions for changes."?The Journal of Higher EducationDrinking is recognized as one of the most important problems confronting students on campus today, with major impacts on health and safety.This book answers crucial questions about why students drink, examines its complex links to campus crime and sexual assault, and offers new insights on how to address the issue.It differs from other studies of college drinking by dispelling the myth that the problem is universal. Dowdall’s research reveals that the incidence of alcohol abuse varies enormously between colleges, and in doing so identifies interventions and policies that have been effective, and those that have failed. His study is also unique in looking “upstream” at the broader cultural, organizational and social forces that shape this behavior, where most studies focus only on “downstream” behaviors, well after students have selected their college and have started drinking. This book both defines and illuminates the issue, and outlines effective interventions. Read more