Most recent edit on 2005-11-09 12:46:42 by EschaTon
Additions:
Even though the national drinking age is 21, individuals under the age of 21 still are able [to] acquire and consume alcohol with incredible ease. Whether it is through friends that are 21, or by just walking up to strangers and asking them to buy the alcohol, if a person under the age of 21 wants alcohol, they can get it. To the government a person is considered to be a legal adult at the age of 18 and this is the age that a person should be able to purchase and consume alcohol.
Since people under the age of 21 are not able to purchase and consume alcohol legally, it is seen to them as a “forbidden fruit” (Engs 1). There have been two attempts at a prohibition in the 1850’s and 1920’s, and soon to be one of the 2000’s [what??????? this worries me, what are you talking about here (and could you, seriously, email me what you are basing this on? I'm curious)?]. The first two did not work, what makes people think another one will.[?]
Most people’s concern lies within the fact that they are afraid that people under the age of 21 will be careless and choose to get behind the wheel of a car. In many roadside surveys, the people under the age of 21 are actually least likely to choose to drink and drive and are involved in fewer accidents involving alcohol than those over the legal drinking age of 21 [citation?]. This just goes to show that when it comes to driving, those of us under the age of 21 are not the most reckless decision makers that there are [interesting point].
Another reason that the drinking age should be lowered is because the age limit for the military is 18 and if someone can go out of the country[,] and fight[, and] potentially die for their country, then what is the reason that they cannot enjoy an alcoholic beverage if they so choose to do so in a responsible manner? This makes no sense at all to me[.] in the fact that if y[Y]oung men and women can go out in any branch of the military and be on the frontlines of combat and [but] still be forbidden to touch alcohol. When the government said that 18 is the age in which on[e] becomes an adult, they should have included all of the responsibilities that encompass being an adult. This mainly includes making the right and responsible choice about everything, which should include drinking. [excellent point!]
Instead of telling our young adults, under the age of 21, that they cannot drink, shouldn’t we encourage responsible drinking in a safe setting by teaching young people as much as we can about drinking.[?] Such as [We should teach them such things as; otherwise, this isn't a sentence] the long term health effects of drinking, telling them how to be a responsible drinker, and the consequences of drinking and driving.
“For example from 1982 until 1987 about 46% of students reported ‘vomiting after drinking.’ This jumped to over 50% after the law change. Significant increase were also found for other variables: ‘cutting class after drinking’ jumped from 9% to almost 12%; ‘missing class because of hangover’ went from 26% to 28%; "getting lower grade because of drinking" rose from 5% to 7%; and "been in a fight after drinking" increased from 12% to 17%. All of these behaviors are indices of irresponsible drinking” (Eng 1). This should be shown to them and then it should be up to the young adult whether they would choose to drink or not [I think this is a faulty conclusion ... or maybe not the best thing you could say here]. I will be one of the first to admit that there is way too much underage drinking going on everywhere. One way that I think that all of this can be remedied is by lowering the drinking age. The way that this will fix the problem is that it will take the thunder away from the rebellious ways of underage drinkers. Studies have shown that individuals under the age of 21 are more likely to be binge drinkers. A binge drinker is defined as one who consumes more than 5 drinks per night at least once a week. Studies have also shown that 22% of all students under 21 compared to 18% over 21 years of age are heavy drinkers (Eng 1). Since the drinking age would be 18 there would be a lesser interest in people to participate in it and other activities such as binge drinking.
There are ample studies out there showing scientific facts and evidence supporting lowering the drinking age. These facts show that even if the drinking age was lowered, essentially nothing would change [wait ... what?]. People who are under the age of 21 were not even the most irresponsible when it came to drinking. Should a person over the age of 18 really be punished for enjoying an alcoholic beverage even though they could possibly be out on the fields of battle fighting for their country? [So ... way to complete demolish the entire argument in the conclusion ... seriously though, you've spent the entire paper trying to say that these facts suggest lowering the drinking age and then ... you don't ... I'm confused]
[You raise a lot of interesting points in this paper (especially about a subject that has been discussed almost to death), but your conclusion is troubling. Also, this paper continues to demonstrate a lack of rigorous proofreading. That said, the arguments made are fascinating.]
Deletions:
Since people under the age of 21 are not able to purchase and consume alcohol legally, it is seen to them as a “forbidden fruit” (Engs 1). There have been two attempts at a prohibition in the 1850’s and 1920’s, and soon to be one of the 2000’s. The first two did not work, what makes people think another one will.
Most people’s concern lies within the fact that they are afraid that people under the age of 21 will be careless and choose to get behind the wheel of a car. In many roadside surveys, the people under the age of 21 are actually least likely to choose to drink and drive and are involved in fewer accidents involving alcohol than those over the legal drinking age of 21. This just goes to show that when it comes to driving, those of us under the age of 21 are not the most reckless decision makers that there are.
Another reason that the drinking age should be lowered is because the age limit for the military is 18 and if someone can go out of the country and fight potentially die for their country, then what is the reason that they cannot enjoy an alcoholic beverage if they so choose to do so in a responsible manner? This makes no sense at all to me in the fact that if young men and women can go out in any branch of the military and be on the frontlines of combat and still be forbidden to touch alcohol. When the government said that 18 is the age in which on becomes an adult, they should have included all of the responsibilities that encompass being an adult. This mainly includes making the right and responsible choice about everything, which should include drinking.
Instead of telling our young adults, under the age of 21, that they cannot drink, shouldn’t we encourage responsible drinking in a safe setting by teaching young people as much as we can about drinking. Such as the long term health effects of drinking, telling them how to be a responsible drinker, and the consequences of drinking and driving.
“For example from 1982 until 1987 about 46% of students reported ‘vomiting after drinking.’ This jumped to over 50% after the law change. Significant increase were also found for other variables: ‘cutting class after drinking’ jumped from 9% to almost 12%; ‘missing class because of hangover’ went from 26% to 28%; "getting lower grade because of drinking" rose from 5% to 7%; and "been in a fight after drinking" increased from 12% to 17%. All of these behaviors are indices of irresponsible drinking” (Eng 1). This should be shown to them and then it should be up to the young adult whether they would choose to drink or not. I will be one of the first to admit that there is way too much underage drinking going on everywhere. One way that I think that all of this can be remedied is by lowering the drinking age. The way that this will fix the problem is that it will take the thunder away from the rebellious ways of underage drinkers. Studies have shown that individuals under the age of 21 are more likely to be binge drinkers. A binge drinker is defined as one who consumes more than 5 drinks per night at least once a week. Studies have also shown that 22% of all students under 21 compared to 18% over 21 years of age are heavy drinkers (Eng 1). Since the drinking age would be 18 there would be a lesser interest in people to participate in it and other activities such as binge drinking.
There are ample studies out there showing scientific facts and evidence supporting lowering the drinking age. These facts show that even if the drinking age was lowered, essentially nothing would change. People who are under the age of 21 were not even the most irresponsible when it came to drinking. Should a person over the age of 18 really be punished for enjoying an alcoholic beverage even though they could possibly be out on the fields of battle fighting for their country?
Edited on 2005-11-03 21:56:40 by RyanDeWeese
Additions:
Since people under the age of 21 are not able to purchase and consume alcohol legally, it is seen to them as a “forbidden fruit” (Engs 1). There have been two attempts at a prohibition in the 1850’s and 1920’s, and soon to be one of the 2000’s. The first two did not work, what makes people think another one will.
Most people’s concern lies within the fact that they are afraid that people under the age of 21 will be careless and choose to get behind the wheel of a car. In many roadside surveys, the people under the age of 21 are actually least likely to choose to drink and drive and are involved in fewer accidents involving alcohol than those over the legal drinking age of 21. This just goes to show that when it comes to driving, those of us under the age of 21 are not the most reckless decision makers that there are.
Another reason that the drinking age should be lowered is because the age limit for the military is 18 and if someone can go out of the country and fight potentially die for their country, then what is the reason that they cannot enjoy an alcoholic beverage if they so choose to do so in a responsible manner? This makes no sense at all to me in the fact that if young men and women can go out in any branch of the military and be on the frontlines of combat and still be forbidden to touch alcohol. When the government said that 18 is the age in which on becomes an adult, they should have included all of the responsibilities that encompass being an adult. This mainly includes making the right and responsible choice about everything, which should include drinking.
Instead of telling our young adults, under the age of 21, that they cannot drink, shouldn’t we encourage responsible drinking in a safe setting by teaching young people as much as we can about drinking. Such as the long term health effects of drinking, telling them how to be a responsible drinker, and the consequences of drinking and driving.
“For example from 1982 until 1987 about 46% of students reported ‘vomiting after drinking.’ This jumped to over 50% after the law change. Significant increase were also found for other variables: ‘cutting class after drinking’ jumped from 9% to almost 12%; ‘missing class because of hangover’ went from 26% to 28%; "getting lower grade because of drinking" rose from 5% to 7%; and "been in a fight after drinking" increased from 12% to 17%. All of these behaviors are indices of irresponsible drinking” (Eng 1). This should be shown to them and then it should be up to the young adult whether they would choose to drink or not. I will be one of the first to admit that there is way too much underage drinking going on everywhere. One way that I think that all of this can be remedied is by lowering the drinking age. The way that this will fix the problem is that it will take the thunder away from the rebellious ways of underage drinkers. Studies have shown that individuals under the age of 21 are more likely to be binge drinkers. A binge drinker is defined as one who consumes more than 5 drinks per night at least once a week. Studies have also shown that 22% of all students under 21 compared to 18% over 21 years of age are heavy drinkers (Eng 1). Since the drinking age would be 18 there would be a lesser interest in people to participate in it and other activities such as binge drinking.
There are ample studies out there showing scientific facts and evidence supporting lowering the drinking age. These facts show that even if the drinking age was lowered, essentially nothing would change. People who are under the age of 21 were not even the most irresponsible when it came to drinking. Should a person over the age of 18 really be punished for enjoying an alcoholic beverage even though they could possibly be out on the fields of battle fighting for their country?
Oldest known version of this page was edited on 2005-11-01 20:06:27 by RyanDeWeese []
Page view:
Even though the national drinking age is 21, individuals under the age of 21 still are able acquire and consume alcohol with incredible ease. Whether it is through friends that are 21, or by just walking up to strangers and asking them to buy the alcohol, if a person under the age of 21 wants alcohol, they can get it. To the government a person is considered to be a legal adult at the age of 18 and this is the age that a person should be able to purchase and consume alcohol.
Since people under the age of 21 are not able to purchase and consume alcohol legally, it is seen to them as a “forbidden fruit” (Engs 1). There have been two attempts at a prohibition in the 1850’s and 1920’s, and soon to be one of the 2000’s. The first two did not work, so what makes people think that this one will. Studies have shown that individuals under the age of 21 are more likely to be binge drinkers. A binge drinker is defined as one who consumes more than 5 drinks per night at least once a week. Studies have also shown that 22% of all students under 21 compared to 18% over 21 years of age are heavy drinkers (Eng 1). Most people’s concern lies within the fact that they are afraid that people under the age of 21 will be stupid and choose to get behind the wheel of a car. In many roadside surveys, the people under the age of 21 are actually least likely to choose to drink and drive and are involved in fewer accidents involving alcohol than those over the legal drinking age of 21. This just goes to show that when it comes to driving, those of us under the age of 21 are not the most reckless decision makers that there are.
Another reason that the drinking age should be lowered (this one is more of a personal reason and opinion) is because the age limit for the military is 18. If someone can go out of the country and fight potentially die for their country, then what is the reason that they cannot enjoy an alcoholic beverage if they so choose to do so in a responsible manner? This makes no sense at all to me in the fact that if young men and women can go out in any branch of the military and be on the frontlines of combat and still be forbidden to touch alcohol. When the government said that 18 is the age in which on becomes an adult, they should have included all of the responsibilities that encompass being an adult. This mainly includes making the right and responsible choice about everything, which should include drinking.
Instead of telling our young adults, under the age of 21, that they cannot drink, people should encourage responsible drinking in a safe setting and should teach young people, who choose to drink, as much as they can about drinking. Some of these could include showing them the long term health effects of drinking, telling them how to be a responsible drinker, and educate them about the consequences that could potentially happen as a result of a bad decision about drinking and driving. “For example from 1982 until 1987 about 46% of students reported "vomiting after drinking." This jumped to over 50% after the law change. Significant increase were also found for other variables: "cutting class after drinking" jumped from 9% to almost 12%; "missing class because of hangover" went from 26% to 28%; "getting lower grade because of drinking" rose from 5% to 7%; and "been in a fight after drinking" increased from 12% to 17%. All of these behaviors are indices of irresponsible drinking” (Eng 1). This should be shown to them and then it should be up to the young adult whether they would choose to drink or not. I will be one of the first to admit that there is way too much underage drinking going on everywhere. One way that I think that all of this can be remedied is by lowering the drinking age. The way that this will fix the problem is that it will take the thunder away from the rebellious ways of underage drinkers. Since the drinking age would be 18 there would more than likely be a lesser interest in people to participate in it.
There are ample studies out there showing scientific facts and evidence supporting lowering the drinking age. These facts show that even if the drinking age was lowered, essentially nothing would change. People who are under the age of 21 were not even the most irresponsible when it came to drinking. Finally, there must be a reason that I have never heard that explains the fact that the drinking age in America is 21 and the rest of the world is 18. The whole world cannot be wrong can they?
http://www.indiana.edu/~engs/articles/cqoped.html∞
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/drving.htm∞