AGE of ADULTHOOD—18
DRINKING AGE—21?
In the 1980’s it was legal for eighteen-year-olds to purchase and consume
alcoholic beverages. In 1984, the United States Government pressured the states to raise
the legal age to twenty-one (Rally). Their reasoning–eighteen-year-olds were too
immature and responsible in their partaking of alcohol. Outlawing the consumption of
alcohol by minors does not prevent underage drinking anymore than posting speed limit
signs prevents speeding! Is there something that all of the sudden makes us responsible
drinkers when we turn 21? Many times, we see people under 21 make complete idiots of
themselves while drinking. But can it not be concluded that we see an equal number of
people over the age of 21 engaging in those same activities? Age does not determine
whether or not an individual drinks responsibly.
Remorseless drinking has long been as much a ritual of university life as football,
final exams, and frat-parties! Alcohol abuse goes on quite often on college campuses
regardless of ones age. A great many problems related to alcohol use among college
students is in direct correlation to the national drinking age in this country. A 1996 study
found that eighty-four percent of college students under the age of twenty-one drink
(Jones 64). Although one may not have access to alcohol at a bar, but a student may be
drinking at a party or may just have an older friend buy their alcohol. Studies have
shown that college students who can legally purchase alcohol drink less than those who
can’t. This just makes it more exciting for one who is underage to drink because it is
forbidden.
Alcohol consumption does not appear to pose the monumental concern in other
countries as it does here in the United States. In countries that impose a drinking age, it
ranges from 16-18 years of age and in other countries there is not one at all. In Europe,
people do not consider “getting drunk” as an acceptable pastime (Mooney 18). One says
that in Germany, “the locals treat alcohol as a supplement to evening activities, not as the
main event” (Rally). If young adults are taught that drinking is a privilege and should be
taken seriously, the problem of alcohol abuse on college campuses and across the nation
would begin to change itself.
The idea is that an 18 year old is not mature enough to be trusted with alcohol but
can vote, pay taxes, serve on a jury, stay out later than curfew laws, leave home, drive,
smoke (in some states), buy weapons, engage in financial contracts, get married, give
birth, serve and die for our country in battle, and be tried as an adult in the court of law.
Eighteen-year-olds have the same responsibility as twenty-one-year-olds but are not
allowed to consume alcoholic beverages. Is it right to grant eighteen-year-olds all of
these privileges, responsibilities, and obligations yet restrict them from drinking alcohol?
If eighteen-year-olds have the ability to handle the freedoms and responsibilities of being
an adult, they should have the privilege to drink alcohol (Rally).
Is it really about you? The Unites States is a country of consumers, hypocrites and
ignorance. If we raise the age-limit for driving we will hurt the automakers (a lot less
consumption and lost jobs). So we raised the age for drinking—it is OK. No jobs lost.
You think it is about our lives? Do you think Washington cares about you or your lives?
No, they care about you and your life only as a consumer (Mooney 72)!
When the national drinking age was raised to twenty-one in the ‘80s, the intention
was primarily to reduce the number of alcohol related deaths in America. Among drivers
killed in motor vehicle crashes, the highest rates of alcohol intoxication occur in the age
group of 25-34, followed by 21-24 and then 35-44 (Jones 23). Conservatives and
lawmakers look down on lowering the drinking age because of the many consequences
linked to excessive drinking. Studies show that students under 21 are more likely than
any other age group to discourage peers from driving drunk (Rally). Therefore our role
models, our law makers, should introduce legislation for stricter drunk driving laws and
our educators implement drinking education programs in our schools.
Fake forms of identification are being purchased by underage adults to allow
them to drink alcohol. Raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 in the 1980s triggered
a boom in the business of creating fake ID cards (Mooney 34). People twenty-years of
age and younger are purchasing these fake forms of identification in order to allow them
to enter and drink in bars with their friends who are of age, and to allow them to purchase
beer in stores. Many say that no matter what age the government sets as the standard
legal drinking age, people who are underage are going to have friends who are older and
of age. If the legal drinking age were lowered down to eighteen, there would be fewer
instances where this situation would occur, because the majority of eighteen-year-olds
attend college with people who are older and of age.
Students need to learn how to drink in a mature, relaxed environment, the kind of
environment found in Europe and other foreign countries. Students who can approach
alcohol as a familiar and socially acceptable substance are more likely to behave
responsibly and rationally than those who must hunt it down and drink in secret. Students
will drink whether the minimum age is 21, 25, or 30. Because alcohol is not presented
as the normal adult activity that it can be, underage students view its consumption with
a “forbidden fruit” mentality that almost always end in excess (Jones 21). Lowering the
minimum age back to 18 would require a significant shift in this country, but it is a shift
that is crucial to the alcohol problem many college students and young adults face.
Arguments for lowering the drinking age on RALLY (Realistic Alcohol Laws for Legal
Youth). Spring 1995. Syracus University. (wwwl.rallyusa/)
Jones, N and Barnes, G. Alcohol Misuse Among College Students and Other Young Adults.
San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998
Mooney, L., Granling, R., and Forsyth, C. Deviant Behavior. New York: Harper & Row,
1987.
Другие работы по теме:
A Legal Adult Should Have The Right
To Consume Alcohol Essay, Research Paper When someone turns 18, our country considers him an adult, and trusts him with the responsibility of voting, starting a family, purchasing firearms and tobacco products, entering into legal contracts, holding public office, fighting in a war, and dying for his country, a country that doesn’t even allow him to consume alcohol.
Pressuation Essay Research Paper I propose that
Pressuation Essay, Research Paper I propose that every eighteen-year-old should be allowed to legally drink alcohol. There are many reasons that made me think of this idea. First I thought hey, when I turn eighteen there are so many responsibilities and options that I’m going to have to make. The first one was the right to vote.
Lower The Drinking Age Essay Research Paper
Lower the Drinking Age I think Iowa s drinking age should be lowered to 18. People are legally considered an adult when they turn 18, so they should get the privileges, and have to take the responsibilities of being an adult. The problems our society has with drinking are caused because we look down on people who drink.
Cause The Parasite Giardia Lamblia
Essay, Research Paper How spread: Drinking contaminated water Areas of risk: Common anywhere there is contamination of surface or domestic water. Commonly spread through day cares of underdeveloped countries. Outbreaks have occurred in cities where water is not properly treated.
Drink Up Essay Research Paper Drink UpDrunk
Drink Up Essay, Research Paper Drink Up Drunk driving should be legalized in the United States to help improve our standard of living. The legalization of driving while intoxicated would severely reduce the
Drinking Age Essay Research Paper Drinking AgeWhy
Drinking Age Essay, Research Paper Drinking Age Why has America had so many problems with underage drinking? I think that there is way too much underage drinking by young adults in America. On the other hand, I don?t believe that it is their fault. I feel, that the lawmakers should lower the drinking age. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1986 forces states to enforce the legal age of 21 years old or lose matching highway funds.
Underage Drinking Essay Research Paper Underage DrinkingMany
Underage Drinking Essay, Research Paper Underage Drinking Many teens face adult problems at a very young age. Underage drinking viewed in the eyes of parents and law enforcement agencies is a major problem among teen. In today society, kids are being pressured into doing things at a very young adolescent age.
Underage Drinking Essay Research Paper Who is
Underage Drinking Essay, Research Paper Who is to judge whether or not someone underage is mature enough to handle the responsibility of consuming alcohol? The government has set twenty-one years of age as the legal drinking age. This is found to be a little odd by most teenagers. At the age of eighteen, young adults can sign their life away to the government and give their life for the country.
Causes Of Student Drinking Essay Research Paper
College drinking is a growing problem amoung colleges and universites across the country. It has been estimated that at least ten percent of college students are problem drinkers, or “pre-alcoholics.” This problem is a serious one. Each year, more and more students resort to college drinking for a number of various reasons.
Drinking Age Essay Research Paper Since the
Drinking Age Essay, Research Paper Since the increase of the drinking age to 21 has taken effect in New York state, the argument for lowering that limit has been heated. The current age for the
Drunk Teen Drivers Essay Research Paper Teenagers
Drunk Teen Drivers Essay, Research Paper Teenagers Drinking Issues The drinking age is fine, if anything is should get raised. It is hard to ignore the fact that this law is broken everyday. It’s the 21st century all teens just want to fit in. Kids are drinking at a much younger age. Now, even 10 year olds and 11 year olds are trying to fit in with us older kids.
Underage Drinking Essay Research Paper Underage drinking
Underage Drinking Essay, Research Paper Underage drinking is a major problem for many of today?s youth. It can lead to teenage alcoholism and even death. It is not singled out to one race, age, or region. It can be found among the wealthiest doctors, lawyers, and businessmen?s children, and yet the poor factory worker?s child becomes that teenage alcoholic too.
A Different Sort Of Segregation- Position Paper
On Legalizing Drinking Essay, Research Paper Segregation of a Different Sort “If we [adults between 18 and 21] can still be trusted enough to fight in wars, if we can be trusted enough to vote for our leaders, if we can be trusted enough to have sex, then why the hell can’t we be trusted with a glass of wine?” Shamed Dogan
The Drinking Age Essay Research Paper Underage
The Drinking Age Essay, Research Paper Underage drinking has always been a major problem in society. The immaturity of teenagers contributes to their inability in understanding the dangerous effects that drinking has on their families and themselves. All they think about is how much fun they will have on Friday nights, bingeing beer.
Why We Should Keep The Drinking Age
At 21 Essay, Research Paper Why We Should Keep the Drinking Age at Twenty-one By Barry T. Hellman English 116, section 6 Dr. Budler 11 May 2000 Imagine winning the State Basketball Championship. You get back to your house with a few friends and feel a party is in order, so you start drinking a few beers after your parents go to bed.
Drinking And Driving Essay Research Paper Drinking
Drinking And Driving Essay, Research Paper Drinking and Driving is dangerous to yourself and others around you. Alcohol is a depressant, it impairs your ability to drive, slows down your reaction time and causes you to make some risky decisions that you wouldn’t normally take. The penalty for Drinking and Driving is Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
Lowering Of Drinking Age Essay Research Paper
Lowering of Drinking Age When teenagers turn eighteen, we tell them they are adults and send them into the world. They go to college, get a job, marry or join the military. They do grown up things like vote, pay taxes and become parents. They can drive cars, buy a gun, smoke, serve on a jury, and go to an adult prison.
Lowering The Drinking Age Essay Research Paper
Laurent 1 English 102 December 1, 1997 Lowering the Drinking Age to 18 Since the increase of the drinking age to 21 has taken effect in New York state, the argument for lowering that limit has been heated. The current age for the consumption of alcohol in the United States is 21 (”Consequences”). Just as it is stated in the following quote, age limits for minors are inconsistent. ” Why is it that 18 year old U.S. citizens can legally obtain a driver’s license, register to vote, be forced into jury duty or a draft, can be tried as an adult and even put to death, but cannot buy and consume alcoholic beverages?”(”Drinking”).
Issues On Lowering The Drinking Age Essay
, Research Paper Issues on lowering the drinking age When one turns eighteen in the U.S, they can drive cars, fly planes, marry, vote, pay taxes, take out loans and risk their life as a member of the U.S. Armed forces, but it is illegal for them to drink. Why do young adults have the liberty to do everything else besides drink at the age of eighteen? Turning eighteen comes with adult responsibilities as well as privileges.
Alcohol Essay Research Paper AlcoholTeenagers in society
Alcohol Essay, Research Paper Alcohol Teenagers in society today have a different outlook on life. They mature at a faster rate then we realize. Many teens start experimenting with alcohol at the young age of thirteen and fourteen (Alcohol and teen drinking Aug 21, 2000). Some start even earlier if they have parents that drink or an older sibling that abuses alcohol.
The Legal Drinking Age Essay Research Paper
The Legal Drinking Age The legal drinking age is twenty-one years old. There is no justification for it to be that high. Many reasons support it being lowered. The legal drinking age in the in the United States should be changed to eighteen years old.
Binge Drinking Essay Research Paper A study
Binge Drinking Essay, Research Paper A study conducted by researchers at Harvard University found that binge drinking continues to be a widespread problem among U.S. colleges, Reuters reported Sept.
Binge Drinking Essay Research Paper My report
Binge Drinking Essay, Research Paper My report is on the disease binge drinking. Binge drinking is a dangerous drinking problem that many people have. A binge is defined as five or more alcoholic drinks in
Binge Drinking Essay Research Paper Personal EssayBinge
Binge Drinking Essay, Research Paper Personal Essay Binge Drinking on College Campuses Binge drinking is running rampant on many college campuses and with an ever-growing number of high school students starting to binge drink, it would appear that there is no end in sight. In a study that was conducted by The Harvard School of Public Health, Binge drinking is defined, as having five or more drinks in a row.
The Drinking Age 2 Essay Research Paper
The DRINKING Age Why can’t the legal drinking age be lowered to 18? This is a question asked by thousands of kids and adults under the age of 21years. Over all if you think about it is sort of ignorant how the government made the required drinking age 21, were they thinking that when you reach 21yrs of age you are more responsible and more priveledged than any one else? I guess no one really knows.
The Drinking Age Essay Research Paper The
The Drinking Age Essay, Research Paper The Drinking Age The drinking age is twenty one because all the people making the laws are over twenty one. So they take a biased way of thinking. When we are eighteen we can smoke, vote, and be
Drinking Essay Research Paper Drinking Age The
Drinking Essay, Research Paper Drinking Age The drinking age is fine, if anything is should get raised. It is hard to ignore the fact that this law is broken everyday. It?s the 90?s all teens just want to fit in. Kids are drinking at a much younger age. Now, even 10 year olds and 11 year olds are trying to fit in with us older kids.
The Drinking Age Essay Research Paper Drinking
The Drinking Age Essay, Research Paper Drinking Age The drinking age is fine, if anything is should get raised. It is hard to ignore the fact that this law is broken everyday. It’s the 90’s all teens just want to fit in. Kids are drinking at a much younger age. Now, even 10 year olds and 11 year olds are trying to fit in with us older kids.
Lowering The Legal Drinking Age To 18.
. Essay, Research Paper Lowering the Legal Drinking Age to 18 The legal drinking age in the United States is set at twenty-one years of age. I believe that considering twenty-one as the legal age of maturity is ridiculous. Who is to say that just because an individual is twenty-one means that they are mature enough to consume alcohol in a responsible manner? Changing the legal drinking age to eighteen should be enforced.
Lowering The Drinking Age A Solution Or
A Problem? Essay, Research Paper Lowering the Drinking Age: A Problem or a Solution? Why is it that 18 year old citizens, like myself, can legally obtain a driver?s license, register to vote, be forced into jury duty or a draft, can be tried as an adult and even be put to death, but cannot buy and consume alcoholic beverages legally? It is hard for me to comprehend as a young American that we can be permitted or subjected to perform actions that affect the lives of other people, but we are not allowed to have the freedom of choice on an issue that directly involves one?s own life.
Binge Drinking Essay Research Paper One of
Binge Drinking Essay, Research Paper One of the most serious problems in today’s youth is drinking. Amoung high school and college students a popular and very dangerous kind of drinking. Binge
Article Essay Research Paper EN102018 January 2001The
Article Essay, Research Paper EN1020 18 January 2001 The Article ?British Airways sacks pilots seen drinking before flight?, talks about how pilots abuse the drinking rules set up by the airlines. One of the airlines, British Airways, announced that they had fired two of their pilots because they had been filmed while drinking and they were due to fly the very next day.