A front-page article in the New York Times, 19 August 1996, by Fox
Butterfield discusses the phenomenon of the decline of murders in
bar-room brawls.  The increase in homicides by juveniles has
obscurred the decline in murders by adults.  On aspect of this
decline has been the great reduction in killings at bars.  The
article argues that part of the explanation lies in the shift of
drinking by workingclass adult males from bars located near the
workplace to home and the TV screen.  Bars themselves have because
less male and less workingclass and so less violent.
 
Any comments?
 
David M. Fahey
History Department
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056-1618, USA
tel. 513-529-5134
FAX 513-529-3841
e-mail: <[log in to unmask]>