WASHINGTON (AFP) - People who consume
alcohol earn significantly more at their jobs than
non-drinkers, according to a US study that highlighted
"social capital" gained from drinking.
The study published
in the Journal of Labor Research Thursday concluded that
drinkers earn 10 to 14 percent more than teetotalers, and
that men who drink socially bring home an additional seven
percent in pay.
"Social drinking builds social capital," said Edward
Stringham, an economics professor at San Jose State
University and co-author of the study with fellow
researcher Bethany Peters.
"Social drinkers are out networking, building
relationships, and adding contacts to their BlackBerries
that result in bigger paychecks."
The authors acknowledged their study, funded by the
Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank, contradicted
research released in 2000 by the Harvard School of Public
Health.
"We created our hypothesis through casual observation
and examination of scholarly accounts," the authors said.
"Drinkers typically tend to be more social than
abstainers."
The researchers said their empirical survey backed up
the theory, and said the most likely explanation is that
drinkers have a wider range of social contacts that help
provide better job and business opportunities.
"Drinkers may be able to socialize more with clients
and co-workers, giving drinkers an advantage in important
relationships," the researchers said.
"Drinking may also provide individuals with
opportunities to learn people, business, and social
skills."
They also said these conclusions provide arguments
against policies aimed at curbing alcohol use on
university campuses and public venues.
"Not only do anti-alcohol policies reduce drinkers'
fun, but they may also decrease earnings," the study said.
"One of the unintended consequences of alcohol
restrictions is that they push drinking into private
settings. This occurred during the Alcohol Prohibition of
1920-1933 and is happening on college campuses today. By
preventing people from drinking in public, anti-alcohol
policies eliminate one of the most important aspects of
drinking: increased social capital."
The researchers found some differences in the economic
effects of drinking among men and women. They concluded
that men who drink earn 10 percent more than abstainers
and women drinkers earn 14 percent more than non-drinkers.
However, unlike men, who get a seven percent income
boost from drinking in bars, women who frequent bars at
least once per month do not show higher earnings than
women drinkers who do not visit bars.
"Perhaps women increase social capital apart from
drinking in bars," the researchers said in an effort to
explain the gender gap.
