Bias Analysis: Should the U.S. lower its drinking age?

In the article, Editorial: Should the U.S. lower its drinking age?, written by Brandon Griggs, an unpopular question is brought upon Dwight B. Heath and a few other scholars, “Would America be better served by reducing its drinking age -- or at least encouraging states to set their own limits?”. Both Heath and the few other scholars who contributed have different view on the subject of alcohol in today’s society. Several different biases are seen in this well written article, including the Ostrich Effect and Restraint Bias.

The Ostrich Effect is a bias where an obvious (negative) situation is ignored. It is clearly obvious to the reader that when Heath expresses his opinion he shows this bias. Heath’s opinion on the matter at hand seems to be “a little crazy to most people” says Griggs. Heath thinks that the drinking age in the U.S. should be lowered to 8, maybe even 6. Heath is looking at this issue from a cultural perspective since France and Italy serve small amounts of alcohol to young children at family meals. Heath thinks that if the age is lowered to 8, or even 6, that children will have some sort of respect for alcohol and that they will be more educated. But, Heath isn't thinking about the effects that alcohol has on children. He is also ignoring the fact that children may abuse the drinking law. These are both important, obvious negative situations that are being ignored when Heath is explaining his position. Therefore, proving the Ostrich Effect is present when Heath takes his position on the question at hand.

            Restraint Bias is the tendency to overestimate one’s ability to show restraint in the face of temptation. We see restraint bias when the author, Heath, and other scholars make their points throughout the article. For example, when Heath argues that the drinking age should be lowered to 8, maybe even 6, he is overestimating the restraint ability of teens. He completely ignores the idea that some teens and children may not be able to restrain from the “fun” aspect of alcohol if the age is lowered to such a low denominator. Teens are often influenced by their friends and whether doing something will make them “cooler”. Heath says, “By doing this, he says, parents educate their kids about alcohol and rob drinking of its taboo allure, which can make rebellious teenagers sneak off to basements and backwoods to binge drink far from adult supervision”. Heath has a very strong opinion, but he is certainly overestimating the ability of teens in today’s society to restrain from the temptations that alcohol provides, showing he is under the impression of Restraint Bias.

          In the article, Editorial: Should the U.S. lower its drinking age? , written by Brandon Griggs, the unpopular question, “Would America be better served by reducing its drinking age -- or at least encouraging states to set their own limits?” is brought upon Heath and a few other scholars. As Heath expresses his opinions on the subject of alcohol and teens, the reader can see the Ostrich Effect and Restraint Bias. These biases affect the way the reader see’s his opinion and prove that Heath does not have a strong enough argument since he ignores an obvious negative situation and overestimates the restraint ability of teens.


Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/16/us/legal-drinking-age/