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Research ArticleArticles

The Minimum Legal Drinking Age and Crime Victimization

Aaron Chalfin, Benjamin Hansen and Rachel Ryley
Published online before print May 09, 2022, 0720-11070R2; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.59.2.0720-11070R2
Aaron Chalfin
1Department of Criminology, University of Pennsylvania
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Benjamin Hansen
2Department of Economics, University of Oregon; NBER; IZA, E-Mail: .
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Rachel Ryley
3Department of Business Economics and Public Policy, University of Pennsylvania
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Abstract

For nearly every crime there is a victim. However, the vast majority of studies in the economics of crime have focused the causal determinants of criminality. We present novel evidence on the causal determinants of victimization, focusing on legal access to alcohol. The social costs of alcohol use and abuse are sizable and well-documented. We find criminal victimization — for both violent and property crimes — increases noticeably at age 21. Effects are not present at other birthdays and do not appear to be driven by a “birthday celebration effect.” The effects are particularly large for sexual assaults, especially those that occur in non-residential locations. Our results suggest prior research which has focused on criminality has understated the true social costs associated with increased access to alcohol.

Keywords:
  • Alcohol
  • Crime
  • Minimum Legal Drinking Age
  • Victimization
JEL Classification:
  • K4
  • I1
  • D8

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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The Minimum Legal Drinking Age and Crime Victimization
Aaron Chalfin, Benjamin Hansen, Rachel Ryley
Journal of Human Resources May 2022, 0720-11070R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.59.2.0720-11070R2

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The Minimum Legal Drinking Age and Crime Victimization
Aaron Chalfin, Benjamin Hansen, Rachel Ryley
Journal of Human Resources May 2022, 0720-11070R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.59.2.0720-11070R2
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Keywords

  • Alcohol
  • crime
  • Minimum Legal Drinking Age
  • Victimization
  • K4
  • I1
  • D8
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