...Underage Drinking at Home: Big Problem Rabia Badar University of Phoenix COMM/215 December 10, 2012 Carol J. Amato, M.A. Should minors be allowed to drink alcoholic beverages in their homes with their parents’ consent? Underage drinking is a big problem throughout United States. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required all states to raise their minimum purchase and public possession of alcohol age to 21. This Act helped decreased the cause of deaths of minors because minors didn’t purchase it. This law only prohibited the minors from purchasing it but not from drinking it. The president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, for example, accused the university heads of "not doing their homework" on the relationship between the drinking age and traffic fatalities (Tetelbaum 2009). The university was accused they said the deaths only occur between the ages of 18 – 20 but actually the deaths were occurring 16years or younger due to underage drinking. They believe underage drinking shouldn’t be allowed even if it’s at home. What are we really teaching our kids? This is something I talk about all the time at school with my kids and encourage parents to discuss with their kids. The more we discuss this topic with our generation they more they will understand the importance of underage drinking. Underage drinking costs Americans taxpayers approximately 61.9 billion dollars annually and in 2000, only 71 million was spent on prevention. Whereas 1.8 billion dollars...
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...Prevent Underage Drinking 2/1/2012 General Orientation Dr. Graham 2/1/2012 Prevent Underage Drinking You go into a bar and ask for an alcoholic beverage, usually they ask if your 21, but this time you are handed your beverage and not asked for your ID. This is pretty much what goes on at college campuses. Underage drinking without much or any regulation has corresponded to many deaths and serious injuries to underage students. Teaching underage members of society how to drink in moderation, making stricter consequences for the drinkers who are underage and stricter consequences for the supplier should prevent underage drinking. Teaching underage members of society how to drink in moderation would be difficult but it would make underage drinking injuries disappear. In Europe, many of the people there are taught when they are very young how to drink in moderation by giving the kids alcohol moderately throughout the years they are growing up at home. This has caused the accidents and injuries in Europe to go down significantly. Though the drinking age in Europe is lower than America, they have a higher driving age, making it a whole lot harder to get into accidents. With Europe’s process of drinking laws it would make it so much easier to have as many deaths that involve underage drinking. “Alcohol statistics in Europe say that teens coming from homes that had no alcohol and were not taught how to drink responsibly had more issues with alcohol.” This shows the same thing...
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...consumption (Ransom, 2013). Alcohol use can take a toll on one’s health and can also lead to risky behaviors or even death. Nearly 88,000 people die annually due to alcohol-related causes in the United States. Additionally, alcohol consumption can lead to binge drinking, which is typically about 4 drinks for women or 5 drinks for men in a two-hour span. The minimum age to consume alcohol in the United States is 21, but that doesn't stop underage people from drinking. This is extremely relevant in South Dakota where Brookings and Clay County have...
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...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...
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...Does the current drinking age really stop underage drinking? Each state in the union has set their drinking age at twenty-one since 1984. Ever since then the underage drinking has not stopped. The drinking legal age of alcohol in the United States of America should be eliminated and replaced with a purchasing age of twenty-one and a non-existent drinking or consumption age in order to allow younger citizens to drink responsibly under the guidance of a someone responsible. To start with, several States believe that the United States has problems labeling alcohol levels in alcoholic drinks. Many in the Illinois legislature have determined those alcoholic drinks such as malt liquor, which include sugar need to include a label stating alcohol levels. (Blackston, M. 2009, Spirited debate). If the Illinois legislatures can take steps to better inform the American people to drink more responsibly, than every other state can join. Many...
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...Underage drinking has become a big problem in our society today. Many young teens die daily due to drinking alcohol, because these teens are abusing the age policy of drinking. Underage drinking is a problem today because it is causing teens to act out in a certain way. This is a problem because teens drinking cause not only health problems, but causes rapes and car accidents. More than half of American youths ages 12 to 20 have tried alcohol. Girls are nearly as likely as boys to experiment with drinking. Drinking at a young age greatly increases the risk of developing alcohol problems later in life. Talking to kids early and openly about the risks of drinking can help reduce their chances of becoming problem drinkers. Most teens find it...
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...Underage madness Have you ever been to a liquor store and you are on your way to a wonderful evening of relaxation, then out of nowhere you are bombarded by a complete stranger asking you to buy them a beer? I know I have, my initial response to that individual would be “might I ask how old you are?” Then from this point you might hear a series of excuses or lies about the situation until they realize that they are getting nowhere with you and move on to the next target. What did you do in this case? Did you attempt to scare that individual, or did you just mosey on about your business? According to the CDC 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States is consumed by children and young adults between the ages of 12-20. More than 90 percent of this alcohol is consumed in the form of binge drinking. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, about 5,000 kids under 21 die every year as a result of underage drinking – from crashes, homicides, and suicides. Teens that drink also are at risk for a long list of other injuries and potential life-long alcohol abuse. Reducing underage drinking can reduce drinking-related harm This problem is important to not only me as a parent but also to you as a driver on the street. Underage drinking is a rapidly growing problem that causes homicides, suicides and public intoxication. We need to put into play harsher punishments for underage drinking and aiding in underage drinking in order to prevent this problem from spreading. We can...
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...Much controversy has been debating on the subject of drinking age in the United States. Many people see it unfit that the drinking age in the United States is one of the highest in the world. The United States and the United Kingdom are very close compared to each other and will continue to be compared to one another. The question that must be asked is, should the drinking age be lowered for American voters, servicemen, and women. First, there are many causes to underage drinking illegally in the United States. One theory to this is that today's society is an open minded people aloud to speak out whatever they believe. This is completely legal under the Bill of Rights. In the past though this type of actions were frond upon by families, and communities. Also, underage drinking is due to the curiosity of teenager, or even wanting to fit in with their friends, or cool kids. This could all be prevented or at least reduced if the drinking age was lowered. The reason for this is that it will allow a greater number of teens to become familiar with alcohol, and the affects it has on their body....
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...Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of twenty-one die as a result of underage drinking; this includes approximately 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, 1,600 as a result of homicides, 300 from suicide, and as well as hundreds from other injuries (NIAA). In today’s society we are presented with a real epidemic, underage drinking. As children grow older they are brought into different environments where they are presented with different obligations. Children bring alcohol into their lives to be cool or to fit in, but dying of alcohol poisoning leaves young people to fit into which group? Teenagers begin drinking as early as middle school or even sooner. (NLM) It is said that teens who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crimes. They are more likely to have serious problems in school. They are more likely to be involved in drinking and driving accidents. Children who start drinking young are also more likely to develop problems with alcohol later in life. With such a huge epidemic in underage drinking, why would law makers want to lower the legal age? Throughout the United States, most seventeen year olds receive their drivers’ license. Seventeen year olds are still in high school and still testing different waters; some of the “water” is alcohol. It is hard to believe, but 70 percent of all teenagers drink alcohol, and 60 percent of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol-related (Eagle). Most parents want to believe that when they hand...
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...Drinking Age Should Stay Twenty-One According to Manchester University, “Lowering the drinking age will be a domino effect. Since eighteen year olds already drink, lowering the age will make even younger children think it is okay to drink” (Bigjohny). Many people are saying that the drinking age should be lowered to the age of eighteen; doing that will do more damage than people think. Nothing good could come out of saying an eighteen year can drink legally. The Gale Encyclopedia of American Law states, “An Associated Press study found that one hundred and fifty-seven college-age people, ages eighteen to twenty-three, drank themselves to death between 1999 and 2005” (“Alcohol”). Just look at all the minors being killed due to drinking. With...
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...lowering the drinking age has been in the process for quite some time now. Many people argue that it should be lowered to the age of eighteen, and some people have argued that it shouldn’t be lowered and stay at twenty-one. Though there are many reasons that prove both arguments correct, the law still remains where it was set at. Most say the drinking age should not be lowered because it would increase the danger and deaths to underage drinkers, but that all has to do with the main argument for lowering the age, maturity. In the United States, at the age of 18, people are not able to buy alcohol but are able to join the military, vote, be considered adults, and buy cigarettes which can be as harmful if not more so than alcohol. I propose that we also add being able to legally buy alcohol at the age of 18. Prior to 1984, states were allowed to choose their own legal drinking ages. The legal age limit varied from state to state anywhere between 18 and 21 years of age. “One of the more compelling arguments for setting the age to 21was that the prohibition had only exacerbated drinking, particularly among the young”(Seaman 242). In 1984, the United States congress passed the national minimum drinking age act. Ronal Reagan instigated this act when he set up a study to look at the drunken driving problem in the United States. Scientists recommended that there should be a national uniform drinking age of 21. Since then, there have been many that oppose and want to reform the drinking age....
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...Opponent: Lowering the Minimum Legal Drinking Age Lozi Ms. Rhodes Comp 2 November 11, 2011 Opponent: Lowering the Minimum Legal Drinking Age Introduction At the present time, the Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) Law is set at the age of 21 years old. Proponents would have the law revoked and the Minimum Legal Drinking Age reduced. This paper intends to prove that the MLDA should remain as it stands. The Minimum Legal Drinking Age of 21 protects our youth and society as a whole. Evaluation of the Present MLDA: Success Drinking and Driving The present MLDA laws set at 21 are effective. “Almost every state has seen a decrease in teenage driving fatalities since the law went into effect” (Hamilton, 2008, para 3). Before the law took effect, many American youths died in car accidents that could have been avoided if this law had been in effect at the time. “Over the past 20 years, the number of 15 to 20 year olds killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes has been cut in half. The number of 15 to 20 year old drinking drivers involved in fatal crashes also has been cut in half” (Hamilton, 2008, para 15). One cannot argue with statistics. Maturity Factor Most teens would argue that we, as adults, really don’t know anything that they don’t already know. The youth of America have a sense of entitlement, and for the most part, we have created a spoiled generation. “Many youth experiment with unlawful drinking-often to disastrous effects” (National Household Survey On...
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...Should we change the drinking age? There has been many questions on the drinking age in the United States. Why should we be able to vote and not be able to drink?, Why should we fight for our country but we cant have a drink?. Some people believe that the age we drink 21 suddenly means that we are mature enough to handle the responsibility of drinking safely. In this short essay I will give my opinions on why the drinking age should be changed or why it should not. Underage drinking is a major problem in todays time. There are countless of accidents and deaths because of underage drinking. Some are due to car accidents, suicide and even simple accidents caused from the drunken state of mind of an inexperienced young adult. I believe that underage drinking is often a reality do to the fact that it is exciting. It is the idea that it is bad that makes tennagers want to drink. I personally can say that I drank underage because it was an answer to boredom caused by a small town and not very many options. I believe that if the drinking age was lowered from 21 to 18 that for one it would cut down on the criminal side. instead of people stealing alcohol or finding a buyer they could buy it themselves. It also would be more fitting for society. I think it is embarassing that we allow a 18 year old person to die fighting for thier country, to vote for a president, and to be a responsible, working, contributing citizen, but not allow...
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...debate about whether or not to lower the drinking age has been going on for years now with people on both sides having strong points. The side with the stronger side of the argument, in my opinion, would have to be yes, we should lower the drinking age to either eighteen or nineteen years old. I will be going over four points on why the drinking age should be lowered and they are as follows: it would teach responsible drinking behaviors and stop irresponsible college drinking, if we tried to raise the drinking age we would have another prohibition-like era which we all know how that turned out, there are fewer traffic accidents in countries with the drinking age of eighteen, and the morals around it, because if we can send an eighteen year old to Iraq then why can’t he make his own decision and have a drink? Lowering the drinking age to eighteen or nineteen would help the irresponsible drinking and help educate youth to know moderation when it comes to alcohol. “According to procon.org they state that if youth between the age of eighteen and twenty were allowed to drink in controlled environments such as bars, restaurants, social events, and other licensed locations would allow them to learn moderation and not resort to binge drinking in other areas such as fraternity houses or house parties.” (Should) Many college students are drinking as a pass-time and we can’t seem to do anything about it that is just it is. If we lower the drinking age, however, it will not only show that...
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...rampant across the majority of the different realms worldwide. Underage drinking is when anyone under the minimum legal drinking age drinks alcohol. Aside from being illegal, it is a widespread public health problem that poses much risk attracting many developing adolescents and teens. The use of alcohol is a worldwide concern resulting to millions of death, including hundreds of thousands of young lives lost. Indicators revealed that underage drinking seem to be on the rise among the adolescents. Statistics showed the assessment of the five-year trend of under-age drinking where out of 73 responding countries, 71 percent indicated an increase, 4 percent a decrease, 8 percent were stable and 16 percent showed inconclusive trends (World Health Organization [WHO] Global Survey on Alcohol and Health, 2011). According to the World Health Report (2002) alcohol is responsible for 4 percent of total diseases burden and 3.2 percent of all premature deaths. It is associated with more than 60 types of diseases and other health conditions, including mental disorders and suicide, several types of cancer, and other non- communicable diseases such as cirrhosis, as well as intentional and unintentional injuries. It is very dangerous and harmful for the health and well-being of people especially the young ones who are considered the future nation-builders. Though progress and movements have been being made, underage drinking remains a persistent problem. In the Philippines, alcohol is widely...
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