David J. Hanson
Encyclopedia
David Justin Hanson is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the State University of New York
in Potsdam, New York
. He has researched the subject of alcohol
and drinking for over 30 years, beginning with his PhD
dissertation investigation, and has written widely on the subject.
Hanson is often critical of many prevailing views on the effects of alcohol on the body. He contends, for example, that the benefits of moderate drinking outweigh the harms from abusive drinking. Hanson is a critic of many groups that advocate the reduction of alcohol use; he describes these groups as “neo-prohibitionist
.”
Hanson criticizes what he calls the "temperance mentality" of many groups and claims that "their tactic is to establish cultural rather than strictly legal prohibition by making alcohol beverages less socially acceptable and marginalizing those who drink, no matter how moderately."
A critic of the 21-year age limit on legal drinking in the United States, he has sat on the board of advisors of the National Youth Rights Association
since 1998.
Hanson has published books and other publications on alcohol and maintains two websites on the subject, one funded by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
He is a Board Member of the Saint Jude Retreats.
State University of New York at Potsdam
The State University of New York at Potsdam, also known as SUNY Potsdam, or, colloquially, Potsdam, is a public university located in the Village of Potsdam in St. Lawrence County, New York. Founded in 1816, it is among the 50 oldest colleges in the United States...
in Potsdam, New York
Potsdam (village), New York
Potsdam is a village located in the Town of Potsdam in St. Lawrence County, New York, USA. The population was 9,425 at the 2000 census.The Village of Potsdam is in the eastern part of the town and is northeast of Canton, the county seat....
. He has researched the subject of alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
and drinking for over 30 years, beginning with his PhD
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
dissertation investigation, and has written widely on the subject.
Hanson is often critical of many prevailing views on the effects of alcohol on the body. He contends, for example, that the benefits of moderate drinking outweigh the harms from abusive drinking. Hanson is a critic of many groups that advocate the reduction of alcohol use; he describes these groups as “neo-prohibitionist
Neo-prohibitionism
Neo-prohibitionism is the belief that the influence of alcohol in society should be reduced through legislation and policies which further restrict the sale and possession of alcohol in order to reduce average per capita consumption and change social norms to reduce its acceptability.-Use of the...
.”
Hanson criticizes what he calls the "temperance mentality" of many groups and claims that "their tactic is to establish cultural rather than strictly legal prohibition by making alcohol beverages less socially acceptable and marginalizing those who drink, no matter how moderately."
A critic of the 21-year age limit on legal drinking in the United States, he has sat on the board of advisors of the National Youth Rights Association
National Youth Rights Association
The National Youth Rights Association is the largest youth-led civil rights organization in the United States promoting youth rights, with approximately ten thousand members...
since 1998.
Hanson has published books and other publications on alcohol and maintains two websites on the subject, one funded by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States is a national trade association representing producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States...
He is a Board Member of the Saint Jude Retreats.
Hanson's webpages
- Alcohol: Problems and Solutions (site funded by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United StatesDistilled Spirits Council of the United StatesThe Distilled Spirits Council of the United States is a national trade association representing producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States...
) - About David J. Hanson
- David J. Hanson publications