...Running head: Drinking Underage Drinking and Peer Pressure Melissa Walters January 31, 2012 Why has underage drinking becoming such a serious issue in America? In middle school kids do not think about things like going to a party, drinking, and using drugs. So, why is it when teens get to high school teens feel obligated to do such things? Some peers put pressure on others to fit in and do things people do not usually think they would ever do. Underage drinking has become a serious issue across America. Since then people have been trying to lower the age of drinking thinking it will help, but lowering the age is just going to cause the drinking and driving percent to go up because teens are not mature enough to responsibly drink and still be in control. That shows that our society is not doing everything they can to stop teens from drinking. Teens believe that drinking is something to just make them look, or seem older and more mature. They do not realize the serious consequences and the health risks they are putting on their selves. Teenage drinking is often a gateway into other often dangerous life choices; however, to fully understand the problems associated with T.A.D, one must look at why teenagers start drinking in the first place. T.A.D is a problem often over looked in our society. Alcohol abuse not only causes teens to misjudge things, but can also cause suicidal thoughts and causes them to choose risky sexual behaviors. (Staff, 2011) “A study showed that...
Words: 1137 - Pages: 5
...The drinking age should be lowered in the US By ashley_white11, Auburn, NY More by this author Email me when ashley_white11 contributes work The drinking age should be lowered in the US Image Credit: John W., Evergreen, CO The author's comments: Quotes This was my English essay and I was told to publish it on here. Quotes The drinking age should be lowered back to the age of 18. I feel that for many reasons including that people are adults at that age and should be able to make their own decisions. Setting the Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) to 21 is unconstitutional and setting the drinking age to 21 sent the wrong message to teens in the US. The drinking age should be lowered to 18 years old because people are considered adults at that age. When you are 18 you receive the rights and responsibilities of adulthood. When you are that age you can vote, drive a vehicle, get married and even join the military. So why not be able to consume alcohol? When you are 18 you should be able to make your own decisions about alcohol consumption. This includes taking the responsibilities of life or death. Another reason is that when the US lowered the drinking age it sent the wrong message about alcohol consumption to people under the age of 21. In this case it seemed like they raised the drinking age to 21 because people where more mature at 21 years old than they are at 18. So teens want to consume alcohol to appear more mature. If the drinking age were lowered it would...
Words: 568 - Pages: 3
...Lowering the Drinking Age To 18 By Daniel Harl When a person turns 18 they are given many responsibilities and rights. They are able to vote, enter into contracts, serve in the military, and buy cigarettes and porn to their hearts content. But the one thing they are not allowed to do is buy alcohol. I believe that the drinking age should be lowered to 18. Most people that agree with me will say that it should be lowered because of all that I just stated. I on the other hand believe that the drinking age should be lowered for a different reason. I believe that the legal drinking age should be lowered from 21 to 18 because it was set at 21 to save lives, but it has not done that, in fact it has done the opposite and actually endangered more lives. After researching it a bit I found out some interesting facts. I found out that the legal drinking age in all 50 states and the District of Colombia is 21, but under certain circumstances drinking under 21 is legal in some states. In 29 states underage drinking is legal if it is on private, non alcohol-selling premises, with parental consent. In 7 states it is legal if it is on private, non alcohol-selling premises, without parental consent. 30 states allow it if it for religious purposes. 21 states allow it if it is for medical purposes. In 4 states it is legal if it is for government work related purposes. If it is for educational purposes it is legal in 13 states. In 3 states it is legal if reporting medical need due to underage...
Words: 1529 - Pages: 7
...you’re intriguing article, I was embraced to express my opinion on the drinking age. Drinking has taken affect on most of my high school friends. Recently, one of my close friends was hospitalized from drinking too much. He is eighteen years old, and can never drink again. When he was sent to the hospital his alcohol level was through the roof, the doctors said he should have died right there. However, he is still alive; they told him that he can never drink alcohol again. This is why I believe the drinking age should be lowered to eighteen. I personally believe that if you are able to risk your life, and die in war for this country at age eighteen, you should be allowed to drink. America, considers you an adult when you turn eighteen and if you’re legally an adult you should be able to make your own decisions and the consequences that go with them. 42 percent of eighteen years old drink regularly, versus the 24 percent of people who are over the legal drinking age, who drink on a regular basis. If the drinking age was decreased to eighteen it would make less taboo for adults because it would take the fun out of breaking the law. Because, most teenagers drink so much, because of the thrill they get from it. One of the biggest problems with the drinking age is all of the college drinkers. In a recent study done in 2010, 44% of males will drink at least five beers in a row. Also, over the past ten years drinking percentages in colleges have almost gone unchanged. When you turn...
Words: 381 - Pages: 2
...Underage Drinking and the its Effects on the Economy In America underage drinking has many negative effects on the United States economy. Underage drinking cost the United States economy because of injuries, and or deaths resulting from drinking. Other incidents that cost the United States economy money are traffic accidents, school failures, or even unwanted pregnancies. In total underage drinking coast the United States 4.7 million every hour, 105 million every day, and above 53 billion dollars annually. With underage drinkers starting at thirteen to fourteen, the United States has seen an impact form underage drinkers at colleges all across the nation. With that being said in one year, there were 1400 student deaths, 500,000 injuries, and 70,000 cases of sexual assaults. The Center of Alcohol and Substance Abuse says that about 25 percent of all the alcohol consumed in the United States is from underage drinkers. In many cases, underage drinkers will become addicted to alcohol after they have started to drink the substance. Considering that drinking is one of the three leading causes of deaths in America, besides suicide and homicide, the United States needs to become more aware of this deadly abuse. At least 10.7 million people throughout the Unites States, between the ages of 12 and 17 drink an alcoholic beverage before they reach the age of 21. With this being said, the consumption of alcoholic beverages...
Words: 270 - Pages: 2
...Most teenagers live their lives and get involve in different things, based on what they see happening around them. With that being said, there are many environmental features that can convince them to use and abuse alcohol. Two environmental aspects are, peer pressure and binge drinking. Peer pressure is when a person of the same age group influences you to do something that you are hesitant about. Teenagers of today’s society enjoys partying and having fun. Unfortunately, consuming alcohol beverages is the way for them to have a good time. Therefore, it is likely that at some point they will feel pressured by their peers into partying and eventually participating in the consumption of alcohol beverages, which can also lead to binge drinking....
Words: 293 - Pages: 2
...Underage Drinking Introduction Alcohol is the most preferred choice of drug abuse among the youth. Many young people developed the habit of taking too much alcohol at an early age. Underage drinking has lead to numerous health problems in many countries. Many families have lost their children due to excess drinking. Adolescent stage comes with an increased independence, which is linked to alcohol abuse. This study will cover the effects of underage drinking and how it is a controversial issue in the country’s development. The Controversial Issue Teenagers are constantly willing to try different things. Drinking alcohol is one of the things teenagers try to do. Underage drinking is a widespread in the contemporary world. Most of the teenagers end up abusing alcohol. Some have lost their lives due to alcohol abuse. Each year, more than 5,000 young people below 21 years of age in the U.S. die due to alcohol abuse and alcohol related cases. This is a great loss to the society. The government is compelled to set aside funds for rehabilitation centers. The U.S. law does not allow anyone below the age of 21 to drink alcohol. Dangers of Underage Drinking Underage drinking is the chief cause of death among teenagers. Many deaths among young people are due to excess drinking. Excess drinking leads to accidents, homicides, suicides, drowning and other injuries. Too much drinking can harm the brain growth. The brain continues to enlarge and mature...
Words: 595 - Pages: 3
...Teen Drinking The topic of teen drinking age is controversial and has raised lots of debate over the years. There are many that believe the drinking age should be lowered, and there are those that believe the age to drink should stay at 21. There is no benefit on allowing underage teenagers the right to drink. Keeping the legal age to consume alcohol at 21 is beneficial for the safety and well being of teenagers. In Europe the Europeans let their teens drink from an early age. They also claim they have less alcohol-related problems than the United States, and their teens learn to drink responsible and are less likely to “binge drink.” According to T. R. Reid’s May 4 [2003] op-ed piece, “Let My Teenager Drink,” amid a national outcry over an epidemic of “ binge drinking,” the politicians don’t like to admit that this problem is largely a product of the liquor laws (86). That is a total myth. Among American youth binge drinking rates are higher in European countries by almost double. According to Joseph Califano Jr’s May 11 [2003] op-piece, “Don’t Make Teen Drinking Easier,” in 2001 the Justice Department released an analysis comparing drinking rates in Europe and the United States. The conclusion: American 10th graders are less likely to use and abuse alcohol that people of the same age in almost all European countries, including Britain” (88) There is also the argument that you should be able to drink at eighteen, since at that at the age you are considered...
Words: 654 - Pages: 3
...BINGE DRINKING I am a previous alcoholic. When I was in the service and before I met my wife, I could kill a 24 pack of beer every night. It caused me a lot of problems such as financially and socially. I was not as popular as I thought I would be if I drank a lot. The financial burden was the worst. I never bought anything, but alcohol. Also, I never had any money even though I just got paid because I had drunk away my whole paycheck. I honestly feel that if I had gone to college instead of joining the Army, I would have failed and ended up dropping out because of alcohol. I finally straightened up my act when I met my wife. I realized that I had someone else besides myself to take care of financially and emotionally. Yeah I have a beer or a drink about once a year, usually on my anniversary or birthday, but that is it. After realizing that I could live a fulfilling life without alcohol in it, I am much better off. Binge drinking is a major problem on college campuses. Yes, binge drinking can be fun. Binge drinking is a problem because it is very detrimental to your health, goals in life may also be affected, and social life being influenced. Some of the major health issues that are introduced by binge drinking are alcoholism, liver disease, alcohol poisoning, maybe even death. According to The Center for Disease Control (CDC) “It is estimated that more than 38 million US adults binge drink, about 4 times a month, and the largest number of drinks per binge...
Words: 778 - Pages: 4
...Theses: the drinking age should be lowered because it would both benefit the economy this would bring in an a lot of money in the economy. The government if they think that this is a bad thing they could increase taxes on alcoholic beverages to bring in more money. Who are we lie to we know that teens drink and most get away with it. We can’t fully enforce it so why not bring in out so that they don’t have to hide it. This would help the local business to gain more business form a one of the largest spenders in the nation which are teens. The issue of lowering the drinking age or even eliminating has always been there it has gone back and fourth for centuries. The two biggest issues are that should we lower it or should we raise it. There are both pros and cons to how we can look at it. From my point of view as an economist I think that we should lower. First point on why we should lower it that if we at age 18 are old enough to go to war and risk our life’s for this great country that they should allow us to drink. I know that this is has nothing to do with economics but this is a big reason and should not be left out. The next reason is that if we lower the drinking age the will bring a new market out. This market is that if teens drinking. The market right now that is out there for teen spending is huge and every one is trying to get into it. See in order for most business to survive they need to expend past their targeted customer in this they can compete and survive...
Words: 827 - Pages: 4
...argue that 17, 18, 19, and 20 year olds are not capable of handling the responsibilities that go along with consuming alcoholic beverages. To those people I say, if you do not trust someone under the age of 21 to be responsible when it comes to alcohol consumption, then why do you trust them to carry firearms into battle and make life and death situations? In 2007 the United States Marine Corps listened to these complaints from the Marines and decided that Marines, who were overseas, in ports of call where the drinking age was under 21, would allow those Marines to consume alcohol. It is also up to the commanders’ discretion to approve beer being served on special occasions such as returning from war. These Marines would only be allowed to drink on base though. These young people are being asked to make enormous sacrifices, said John McCardell, the former president of Middlebury College in Vermont who runs Choose Responsibility, an organization that wants the drinking age lowered. Yet, when underage Marines come home, they face arrest and can jeopardize their fledging military careers if they illegally buy a six-pack. (McCardell, 2007) There is however certain people that have some reservations about younger Marines consuming alcohol. Groups like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and older Marines. Although...
Words: 1208 - Pages: 5
...hospital for alcohol poisoning. Mr. Seaman proposes that the drinking age should be lowered to 18. Lowering the drinking age would decrease alcohol abuse in college students. As the famous quote says, what’s the fun in doing what you’re told? “There is no doubt that the law, which achieved full fifty-state compliance in 1988, saved lives, but it had the unintended consequence of creating a covert culture around alcohol as the young adult’s forbidden fruit” (180). People that cannot drink legally sometimes drink just for the thrill or as rebellion of authority. Lowering the drinking age would erase drinking alcohol as a “forbidden fruit”. Without drinking alcohol being seen as a forbidden fruit, the hype of pregaming and consuming large amounts of alcohol at one time would decrease. The thrill of breaking the law would be gone. ` Another famous saying goes around the means of “with time comes great responsibility”. “Meanwhile, we should let pregamers come out of their dorm rooms so that they can learn to handle alcohol like the adults we hope and expect them to be” (181). Most college students are at least eighteen years old and considered adults in every legal sense, except for being able to purchase and consume alcohol. Parents, teachers, and other adult influences, set children on a path to adulthood. Within the path of maturing and growing up, parents and teachers should educate their children on responsible drinking as it is a part of the adults they would...
Words: 446 - Pages: 2
...CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Background of the study “Drinking is the cause and the solution is drinking”. Teenager’s starts to sneak out, party all night and drinks excessively. The youth today is convinced that drinking liquor is part of being a teenager. They believe that to have a sense of adventure drinking liquor is one way to have fun, an exciting but dangerous way of seeking for adventure. The generation today is not fully aware of what danger these vices could do to them. They tend to overlook the fun and excitement it could bring instead of the Statement of the Problem To find out the disadvantages of drinking liquor as perceived by the Fourth Year male high school students of the College of the Holy Spirit (CHS). Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions: What is the profile of the 4th year male students of C in terms of the following? Age Annual Family Income Academic Performance How many of the fourth year student experienced to drink liquor? What are their reasons in drinking liquor? How often the fourth year male students of C drink? How much did they spend in drinking liquor? Did their parents aware that they are drinking? What are disadvantages they foresee in drinking liquor? Scope and Limitation This study is conducted to determine the disadvantage of drinking liquor as perceived by the Fourth Year male high students of CHS. This study is limited only to the 4th year male students of the High School Department of CHS...
Words: 2573 - Pages: 11
...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. Problem many parents are facing in their own life are also posing as problems on their kids. The answer teens today must make is no longer just what shoes to wear or what matches what, but the must decided on drugs. Amongst those is alcohol, which is a choice most teens make even before they are teens. I have actually talked to some people that were drinking at the age of eleven and twelve. Everybody I have met has at one time drunk alcohol before graduation. Police officers sit day and night coming up with ways to extinguish this problem, but no matter how much effort they put forth it will and has continued. People all have different views on the solution to this problem, but before we get to their thoughts and mine, I would like to ask you a question. Would you as a parent or person rather have kids drinking at a house with chaperons where they will be staying all night or driving home drunk because you do not approve of it, and enforce a curfew? As a teenage I feel I know the most on the subject, but as I have found out my parents had to make the same decision during their life, even as hard as it is to believe they did. Solutions are like excuses they come in hundreds. People today blame everything...
Words: 484 - Pages: 2
...Student corner n°1 Drinking and driving The text October 18, 2011, The NY times Friends Still Let Friends Drive Drunk By BARRON H. LERNER, M.D. On Sept. 15, Matthew Grape, 21, got into the passenger seat of a car with one of his Duke University fraternity brothers. The driver hit a tree, escaping with minor injuries, but killing his dear friend. According to local press reports, the driver was charged with impaired driving. Nearly 11,000 deaths related to alcohol-impaired driving still occur each year in the United States, despite a three-decade surge in anti-drunken driving activism, stricter laws and clever slogans like “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” There are more than 110 million instances of impaired driving each year, according to data from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey and summarized in a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How can this still be occurring, and what can be done about it? Back in 1980, when Candy Lightner’s 13-year-old daughter, Cari, was killed in California by a drunken driver with several previous arrests for driving while intoxicated, including one only two days earlier, there was little public discussion of the topic, even though drunken drivers killed 25,000 Americans annually. Crashes were called “accidents,” and victims were characterized as having been “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Police and prosecutors routinely allowed drunken drivers to plead to lesser offenses...
Words: 1890 - Pages: 8
