SHOULD WE LOWER THE DRINKING AGE
EN102
JOHN HUBER
Since the 1970’s, lawmakers in America have been taken with respect to underage drinking. It was at this time that many states changed the legal drinking age from 18 to 21. The theory behind this was, essentially, if you raise the drinking age, people will drink more responsibly, because with age comes responsibility. Unfortunately, the people who made these laws did not consider that responsibility is something that comes from experience and teaching – not just age. So with this being said should the drinking age be lowered? Currently, there are many anti-alcohol groups whose main purpose is to stop drinking and driving, but they are trying to stop people from drinking illegally before the age of 21. However, a majority of people feel that the solution lies not in abstinence, but in teaching young people how to drink responsibly, and by doing so at a younger age.
The United States is one of the only western nations on the planet in which the drinking age is over 18. In most cultures, drinking is perceived as a social activity. In Europe, many children (who are younger than 18) begin drinking in a social context with their parents by the early to mid-teens. In France, many families include wine as a part of the daily dinner, and in England, it is legal for a person to have an alcoholic beverage, in a public restaurant, with a parent, at the age of 16. So why is it that in America, we consider people who have wine every night to be alcoholics, and associate 16-year-olds who drink with stomach pumps? It may seem to some that Americans have created an artificial problem with drinking, which precludes us from imbibing in the same fashion as Europeans. The fundamental difference lies in learned responsibility. Europeans teach their children to drink responsibly, whereas in America, we have taught our children that alcohol is as deadly as cancer. Kids are drilled for years about the harmful effects of alcohol, yet often see adults drink. The result is that when these children grow into teenagers, their curiosity heightens, and they raise their glasses without knowing quite what they are doing. These teens do not know their tolerance levels, or which drinks mix and which do not, and that is why some people’s first experiences with alcohol are played out to the tune of sirens and emergency room jargon.
The Essay on Drinking Age People Alcohol
... alcohol for yourself. Increasing the legal drinking age and making laws that prohibit people of legal age to purchase alcohol ... drink more abusively when they do drink. This change has occurred after the drinking age was increased. 3) The affect of lowering the drinking age on Drinking ... States. "The Europeans teach their children to respect [alcohol] from an early age" (Conway 2000). Theses countries ...
For many teens in America, the appeal of drinking lies as much in the procuring of the alcohol, as it does in the actual consumption. But in countries where it is legal for teens to drink, that element of mischief does not exist. This is largely because drinking is seen by these youth as an enticing “forbidden fruit,” a “badge of rebellion against authority,” and a symbol of adulthood”. Our nation has twice tried prohibition, first at the state level in the 1850’s and at the national level beginning in 1920. These efforts to prevent drinking were unenforceable and created serious social problems such as widespread disrespect for law, the growth of organized crime, and the development of immoderate consumption patterns. The flaunting of the current age-specific prohibition is readily apparent among young people who, since the increase in the minimum legal drinking age, have tended to drink in a more abuse manner than do those of legal age. This, of course, is exactly what happened in the general public during national Prohibition.”
The Essay on Under Age Drinking The Problems It Creates
Under Age Drinking: The Problems It Creates It's a Saturday night, and the bars are packed. People are inside having a few, or more than a few, drinks. A select few are really drunk or passed out. Now lets step outside and take a look at a different type of drinking, drinking at an early age. High school and junior high kids are at a party drinking. Like the adults, some are just having a few, but ...
So would lowering the age limit help solve this problem? “Unfortunately, it wouldn’t solve the problem. However, it would be an important step in the right direction.
The experience of many societies and groups demonstrates that drinking problems are reduced when young people learn at home from their parents how to drink in a moderate and responsible manner. As parents we need to be good role models in what we say and do. And lowering the drinking age would help send the important message that drinking is, in itself, not evidence of maturity…… that responsible consumption for those who choose to drink is evidence of maturity. We need to reinforce the norm of moderation by making it clear that the abuse of alcohol is completely unacceptable by anyone. This would help stress that it is not drinking that is the problem but rather drinking abusively that is the problem”. While a majority of people firmly believe that people, who can vote, go to war, or buy cigarettes should be able to enjoy a drink responsibly, but we must admit that what is being proposing would require a change in an entire culture.
In conclusion, as we have seen here there are a lot of things that are tied into this topic. But the main point that I kept seeing in my research was the fact that many individuals and doctor pointed out that age and maturity of the individuals. We as a country and generation all have different maturity levels and no one person can dictate when one is mature enough and age has anything to do with the maturity level of an individual. As I have read and research it has become clearer to me that a large portion of our culture think we should lower the age limit and thus hold everyone responsible for their own actions. As long as they have been taught the danger of alcohol just like anything else, we must know the danger and then be accountable in the event we fail to adhere to the rules and regulations of our state or country.
P.S
The Essay on Under Age Drinking
Why would people who are under age want to drink? Well under age drinking isn't to uncommon. (1) Studies say that approximately 6% of 10-11 year old children use alcohol. 25% by the age of 14 and 55% by the age of 17. Approximately 92 percent of high school kids have used alcohol, of the 92 percent 64 percent use alcohol on a regular basis. Sometimes teenage kids drink under stress. Stress can be ...
I would like to give my Pathos view on this topic. I would have to say the majority of military member would agree with me.
I would like to add a personal not if I can on this topic, being that I am in the military. I have seen many great individuals that hold a lot of responsibilities not be able to order a drink at a bar but yet they are sent overseas to fight and defend our country. I enlisted at the age of 17 and until I turned 21 I was not served and that pissed me off. Before I reached the age of 21 I had deployed twice and had way more responsibilities than the average person my age. So to me yes we should lower the drinking age but with certain stipulations.
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REFERENCE’S
1. http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/YouthIssues/1053520190.html
2. http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/YouthIssues/1053520190.html
