...vote, smoke cigarettes, serve on juries, get married, sign contracts, be prosecuted as adults in court, and join the military (Markoff, 2012). Being considered as adults at this age and mature enough to make decisions like jury duty, we still aren’t considered old enough to consume alcohol. We get the right to drive a car at the age of 15 with someone 21 years of age. While at 16 we can get a driver’s license legally, and drive without supervision of an adult. The law of the legal drinking age was changed on Dec. 22, 1978 (Markoff, 2012). People believed that changing the law would stop 18- 20 year old from drinking, and reduce highway crashes. In my opinion the law don’t stop the 18 year olds from drinking, and the highway crashes haven’t stopped. The drinking has went underground, or behind closed doors. This makes it more dangerous for college students because they can’t have any drinks out in the open at a bar, or at family event like New Year ’s Eve. Also, the age of 21 don’t stop the DUI’s or the problem of too much drinking. Some may belive that the legal drinking age should not be changed, and other belive that it should be changed back. Becoming adults at the age of eighteen comes with rights, as well as grate responsibilities. An individual is considered mature enough to make decisions and...
Words: 1221 - Pages: 5
...Age Is Not The Problem, We Are As midnight struck on November 4, 1998, the eve of Brad's 21st birthday, he went with a group of friends to Rick's American Caf� to celebrate his birthday. He began to play a game of “drink your age.” ;When he had finished 21 shots and knowing that the record among his friends was 23, he drank 3 more for a total of 24 shots of liquor. He drank them in about 1-� hours. The Media's Effect on Underage Alcohol Abuse The Media’s Effects on Underage Drinking The use of alcohol is a major aspect of our society. It is used in religious ceremonies, during socialization, and its presence ...His friends took him home and put him to bed as he passed out. His BAC continued to climb to a lethal level of .44 g/100ml, as the depressant did its work. His breathing stopped and the coroner estimates that he died at approximately 4:30 AM. He died on his 21st birthday, November 5, 1998. Tragedies similar to this one happen too often. People say that the age of 21 is an age of responsibility, and one is now responsible The Media's Effect On Underage Alcohol Abuse The Media’s Effects on Underage Drinking The use of alcohol is a major aspect of our society. It is used in religious ceremonies, during socialization, and its presence is seen ...to drink. Well in this particular case, responsibility was not there. Having an age limit for alcohol use does nothing if individuals are not educated to use alcohol properly. Lowering the age limit to 18 will not cause any more...
Words: 1396 - Pages: 6
...Drink up, or drink down? People 18 years and older are considered adults and should be treated as such by being allowed to legally purchase and consume alcohol. The United States is one of the few countries that maintains a relatively high minimum legal drinking age of 21. Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to 18? Well, in a way the drinking age should be lowered to 18, because we have persons that go into the armed forces at the age of 18. We also have the buying of tobacco products, by 18-year-olds. 18 -year-olds are also allowed to make decisions and vote for leaders of our local, state, and federal governments. So why are they not allowed to drink? The drinking age should be lowered from 21 to 18 because 18 year olds are responsible adults that are part of society and are mature enough to handle alcohol consumption. To begin with, the definition of an adult is a person who has attained the age of maturity as specified by law. In the USA, that age is 18, and with every American's 18th birthday comes all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of becoming an adult. When becoming an adult you are given more freedom in life; such as applying for a credit card, being legally married without parental consent, filing for divorce, paying rent/mortgage, making purchases, signing a binding contract, voting, serving on a jury and serving in the military. If charged with a crime, the 18-year-old is no longer tried in juvenile court; he's tried as an adult. In overall, an...
Words: 698 - Pages: 3
...Should the Legal Drinking Age be lowered to 18? Ryan A. Conklin is a soldier who enlisted into the Army at the age of 17. He was deployed to Iraq when he was just 20 years old. In his book, he wrote about his daily duties of a soldier in Iraq and all of the sights and sounds that he witnessed. He makes a comment in his book about the drinking age in the United States. He states “I was twenty years old, and on April Fools’ Day, I would turn twenty-one finally legal to drink in a bar. Unfortunately, I was two-and-a-half years into serving my country and was living in a combat zone, and I found it odd that until then I was still not allowed to drink alcohol in the States. A law I hope will be changed in my lifetime.” Different cultures and societies respond different to alcohol in terms of how much they can drink and what their bodies can handle. The legal age to consume alcohol in the U.S. should be lowered to eighteen for the sake of the people, the economy, and safety. When a male or female turns the age of 18, they now reserve the right to serve in the military. When war broke out with Iraq, people were chosen to go over that just turned the age of 18. In the book “An Angel in Hell” by Ryan A. Conklin, he stated “he would always wake up hoping that that day was not the last day he would be on this Earth. He was always on high alert while on patrols, dodging bullets and shooting his own gun just to stay alive.” He also said, in his book, “that he found it odd and annoying...
Words: 1623 - Pages: 7
...Alcohol Drinking: Is 18 Too Young for a Legal Drinking Age? Maria Anna Dante Arellano University (Jose Abad Campus) ABSTRACT The debate of a legal drinking age has been long discussed. The legal age in the Philippines is 18 and people in the country wonder whether or not is the right call. At the age of 18, Filipinos has the right to vote. If an 18 year old can make up their mind as to who the potential leader of the country should be then, they should have every right to purchase and drink alcohol. The majority of the world has their legal age set at 18 and if you are old enough to be regarded an adult by society, you are old enough to have the same rights afforded to you. Introduction Teen drinking is on the rise. By the age of eighteen the law recognizes these young people as adults, they can be tried as an adult in the law, parents signatures are no longer necessary, and it is assumed you are mature enough to make sound decisions regarding things such as alcohol. Alcohol is abused heavily by teenagers across the nation. As they grow older their alcoholism grows worse and worse. The effects of teenage drinking affects many aspects of your body and mental state that it can lead to risky behaviours. DISCUSSION In the Philippines, although there is an age limit for purchasing alcoholic beverages it is estimated that 60% of young people will have at least tried alcohol before then. Hard liquors and beers can be easily buy in convenience stores by teenagers under the...
Words: 1012 - Pages: 5
...the law now sees them as adults. They can vote, buy property, adopt a child, film a pornographic movie, purchase a long gun and do a host of things that they could not have done the day before. Young people are also held accountable for their own actions and could be sued in court or thrown in jail for crimes they have committed; they are forced to sign up for the draft, risking the possibility of being sent off to distant lands to fight wars and they are now forced to pay taxes if they have a job. So with all these responsibilities and privileges given to 18 year olds, why not allow them to consume alcohol? Lowering the age limit to 18 is a great idea that can be a benefit for many. It teaches young adults to be responsible; “The majority of the people around the world who are introduced to alcohol at an early age and learn to drink appropriately (often at home, with food and in the company of family) continued to drink responsibly and rarely get drunk, so that drinking poses no threat to themselves or others” (Heath, 2000); it helps the government build a better infrastructure by taxing the alcohol consumed by these young people and finally, it is just plain fair. Our youth can kill for our country but they are not allowed to take a sip of alcohol? It is a double standard that should be eliminated. According to the Andrea C Nakaya, “National beer sales alone pull in $30 billion in taxes. The beer industry in the U.S. spends $1.36 billion in advertising annually, employs 1.78 million...
Words: 1476 - Pages: 6
...Old Enough to Die, Just Not Enough to Drink John Hartman SOC 120 Instructor: Getachew Wakgira October 28, 2013 When a person turns eighteen years old in our society we consider them an adult and they are no longer recognized as a juvenile. They are responsible for themselves in the eyes of the law and subject to the same laws as all other adults. They can vote legally or sign contracts and even join the military as a matter of fact they can do anything any other adult can do except for drinking alcohol. Because of the high death rate associated with alcohol among people in the age range of sixteen to twenty year olds, lawmakers began discussing adjusting the minimum age. The idea was not welcomed by everybody however, "It just doesn't sit right with me that people [at the age of 18] have the right to do everything else, including serve their country, but don't have the right to consume alcohol," state Rep. Richard Marron said. "It's a form of age discrimination."( Chiappetta, A. 2005.) Is it fair that they can be an adult, fighting for our country but not be able to drink like one? In this paper I give my personal experience and view both sides of the issues in the subject of soldiers drinking alcohol under the age of twenty one. Either way that you look at it, the current laws prevent under age drinking of alcohol in the military as a standard rule. In the early eighties though it was not the same as it is now and the laws...
Words: 1432 - Pages: 6
...States. Some people think that a federal law should be passed that reduces the drinking age to 18 in all states. I agree with this side of the argument. It is not just young people who are for lowering the drinking age but some legislators as well. Representative Bob Lynn who is in the state legislature of Alaska also argues that the drinking age should be lowered for 18 year olds in the military. “Why do we consider 18-year-olds old enough to join the military, to fight and die for our country, but not to have a drink with their friends before they ship out or while they are home or on leave?” (Minton) Phyllis Kahn who is a state representative of Minnesota has fought for years to lower the drinking age in her home state. She proposed two bills this year on this topic in her state. One bill would lower the drinking age in bars and restaurants to 18. The other bill would allow underage teenagers who are accompanied by a parent or a spouse who is of legal age. She feels that if teenagers want to drink, they need to do it socially instead of getting alcohol from an older friend or relative and then binge drink. It would also eliminate the need for fake IDs. (Belden) In the 1970s the drinking age in many states used to be 18. In 1984, Congress passed the 1984 National Drinking Age Act which lets Congress withhold money from the state’s federal highway funds if the legal drinking age is set below 21. By 1988, all 50 states had raised the legal drinking age to 21. (Minton) One...
Words: 1208 - Pages: 5
...for drinking and joining our army has been a controversial issue of which many prefer not to argue about. Currently the law sates that a person who is at least 18 years old can join the army and serve his/her country at war. The law considers a young adult of 18 years of age responsible enough to make a decision which may cost him/her their life. Yet, the law prohibits an 18 year old person to make the decision of drinking alcoholic drinks. If we believe that a person cannot be responsible enough to make a decision such as drinking because we think it may ruin his/her life, then why do we let them take the decision of joining the army which in many cases leads them to their death. It is true that drinking alcoholic drinks may end up destroying the life of a young adult only if the drinks are used irresponsibly. The age restrictions on drinking should not be modified, but the age requirement for joining the army should be raised to 21 as the alcoholic one. Joining the army of any country is an important decision but joining the American army is not a decision you can take so easily. Such decision at that early age puts the young adult’s life experience at risk. It is completely ignorant for us Americans to think that an 18 year old person has the maturity to make decisions such as joining the army. An 18 year old person is someone who has barely graduated from high school, may be starting his/her first college semester, or may be applying for their first job. As we think of the...
Words: 414 - Pages: 2
...in today’s news involving the younger generation. One of the most talked about topics is lowering the legal drinking age in the United States. Lowering the drinking age could have a really good impact on society as a whole. Although there are people that believe that lowering the age limit will have a really bad effect on the US, the good outweigh the bad. The drinking age being at 21, makes those underage look at alcohol sort of like the “forbidden fruit,” making them want to drink even more, sort of as a rite of passage. Lowering the drinking age to 18 seems almost undeniable considering that in the US, 18 is considered the age of adulthood. In the United States, turning 18 gives you the right to vote in elections, smoke tobacco, serve on juries, get married, sign legal contracts, be prosecuted as adults, and even join the military. Just imagine being 18 in the military, watching everyone 21 and older having a cold beer while you’re sitting there drinking water because you’re not old enough to drink alcohol. Not only are you risking your life being in the military like the others, you are also able to do everything the older members are able to do but, you absolutely cannot have an alcoholic beverage. In 1984 the U.S. Government raised the legal drinking age to 21 in an effort to decrease instances of drunk driving and related injuries and fatalities. However, this attempt has not been successful at all. Our drunk driving statistics still have not even equaled those of...
Words: 999 - Pages: 4
...Drinking Age of the Military: Should it be Lowered Jason M. Stoudt DeVry University The drinking age in the military is currently set at 21 years old as it is set for the rest of the country. There has been an age old statement widely used by those in the military, “If I am old enough to fight and die for my country, I should be old enough to drink”. The debate is out there that the drinking age should be lowered for all young adults from 18 years old to 21 years old. The idea behind the fact that younger people tend to have less responsibility and are not good candidates for being allowed to drink is a valid point. Those serving in the military are different in that respect for the fact that they have more responsibilities than that of their counterparts in the civilian side of the realm. Anyone in the military from 18 until retirement has to be more responsible and is dealt with more severe consequences if they break the rules. Now the thing to look at is that it has not always been this way. In earlier years the military service members were allowed to drink if they were 18 years old and older as long as they were on a military base. It did not matter if the military base was overseas or inside the United States. In the middle of the 1980’s advocacy groups such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) as well as other groups lobbied Congress to have the rules changed. Per the U.S.C. 10, Section 2683, an amendment was made that changed the policy to reflect that the...
Words: 1983 - Pages: 8
...Some may wonder the age old question, why should we be able to serve our country and possibly die in war but not drink until you turn 21? This question has been asked many time but instead of a right or wrong answer it is more of an opinion type of an answer instead of a set answer. But there are many factors that go into this key role in the debate War age V. Drinking age, like war and drink aren’t the same thing and drinking if for fun but war isn’t. Most of the things said about these are opinions and are right and wrong. I do believe that I will go with the side that allows you to drink when you are 18 and not 21 mainly because if kids are going to drink they will do so ether way. Second off drinking is common in other countries and how...
Words: 679 - Pages: 3
...Eighteen Years Old yet Not Old Enough The term legal drinking age refers to the earliest age at which a person can legally consume alcoholic beverages within particular jurisdictions. This age differs from country to country and in certain cases from state to state within a country. The Minimum Legal Drinking Age or the MLDA, in the United States as of today is twenty-one years. Lowering the MLDA is a touchy subject to many because people do not quite see the benefits that would come of it. Living in the United States, when a person turns eighteen years old, they are considered to be an adult and gain many rights and responsibilities. The MLDA should be lowered to the age of eighteen to coincide with those rights and responsibilities and be able to help benefit our country. A person is legally considered an adult once they have turned eighteen years of age. Parents of these teenagers are no longer held responsible for their teen’s actions. At that point in every young adult’s life comes along with many responsibilities and also many rights that a person deserves to have. Having the right to vote for who represents our country and local affairs, the ability to buy cigarettes and get married without having a parent’s consent, being able to serve our country by joining the Army forces and risking their life in battle, gaining the responsibility of serving jury duty, and also being prosecuted as an adult for an offense. All of these things a person inherits once they have turned...
Words: 1244 - Pages: 5
...18 years old birthday, one of the most meaningful events in our lives. It is a time that we become an adult and taking more responsibilities throughout the life. We can do many things which we are forbidden before because we are kids. It is a crazy time. We can buy alcohol, go travelling with friends without accompanying by parents, get a driving license and so on. However, when I came to the United States, I was surprised that we couldn’t buy or drink an alcohol until we are 21. In “De-Demonizing Rum: What’s Wrong with “Underage” Drinking?”, Andrew Stuttaford is pro lower the drinking age. He points out that as an adult, who is under 21, “is judged to be responsible enough to vote, drive, marry and serve in the military”. Making alcohol a “forbidden fruit” will make the kids more curious about it and cause opposite effects. Moreover, although alcohol abuse is a big problem, it can help artists to create more amazing works as well as good for your body. Furthermore, too much government...
Words: 660 - Pages: 3
...consume alcoholic beverages. “Most cultures where alcohol consumption is legal have a mandated threshold age at which buying and/or consuming alcohol becomes permitted” (International Center for Alcohol Policies, 2011, para. 5). Currently, the United States has set the legal age to drink at 21. The age was once 18; however, society has changed its views concerning this issue. Because the legal drinking age changed to 21 there was an increase in mortality rate at age 21, increase in motor vehicle accidents, and increase in suicides. Even though 18 is considered an adult and a person should be able to make his or her own decisions, the drinking age should not be lowered because teens lack the maturity to handle alcohol and teens are at a higher risk of alcohol-related deaths. This debate has two sides as some people are for lowering the age to 18 again and some against. Many will argue that the average drinking age around the world is 18. According to International Center for Alcohol Policies (2011), “Minimum drinking and purchase ages in countries around the world range from 16 to 25 years of age, with 18 being the most common age limit” (para. 6). Others say that if a person age 18 is old enough to serve and die for his or her country, he or she should be permitted to consume alcoholic beverages. Should the drinking age be lowered to 18? This paper will weigh the pros and cons as well as identify potential issues associated with this debate. Pros on the Debate Many people still...
Words: 2686 - Pages: 11
