Alcohol: Lowering the Legal Drinking Age
Alcohol: Lowering the Legal Drinking Age
Karita Lockwood
Professor O’Quinn
COM 323
October 29, 2012
Introduction
Alcohol is a drink that is made from corn, barley or a beverage containing ethyl. There is currently an ongoing debate as to if the legal age limit for alcohol consumption should be lowered. Despite the dangers, everyday in the United States more than 13,000 children and teens consume alcohol. The age range between eleven and eighteen is the most influential period when youths are susceptible to outside influences such as friends, classmates, family members and the media. Many young children start consuming alcoholic beverages before the age of fifteen. Drinking alcoholic beverages at a young age could lead to a life of ongoing problems. Underage drinking has severe consequence that many are not fully aware of. These consequences could include auto accidents, severe health problems, unwanted or unintended sexual activity, which could result in pregnancy and death. Although children and teens find a way to consume alcohol illegally, will lowering the age be beneficial?
Alcohol: Lowering the Legal Drinking Age
Consumption of alcohol has been an ongoing debate since early history. Prohibition was a period of nearly fourteen years of U.S. history in which the manufacture, sale and transportation of liquor was made illegal. It led to the first and only time and amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified by 36 states on January 16, 1919 and took affect one year later. Many societies from ancient history wanted to maintain stability and believed that drunkenness led to illness, impoverishment and the disintegration of families. Once the sale and manufacture of alcohol became illegal, bootlegging became a new profession. Bootlegging is the unlawful sale and manufacture of alcohol. Illegal drinking establishments began opening and individuals began making their own alcohol at home. Enforcement of prohibition was extremely difficult,
Karita Lockwood
Professor O’Quinn
COM 323
October 29, 2012
Introduction
Alcohol is a drink that is made from corn, barley or a beverage containing ethyl. There is currently an ongoing debate as to if the legal age limit for alcohol consumption should be lowered. Despite the dangers, everyday in the United States more than 13,000 children and teens consume alcohol. The age range between eleven and eighteen is the most influential period when youths are susceptible to outside influences such as friends, classmates, family members and the media. Many young children start consuming alcoholic beverages before the age of fifteen. Drinking alcoholic beverages at a young age could lead to a life of ongoing problems. Underage drinking has severe consequence that many are not fully aware of. These consequences could include auto accidents, severe health problems, unwanted or unintended sexual activity, which could result in pregnancy and death. Although children and teens find a way to consume alcohol illegally, will lowering the age be beneficial?
Alcohol: Lowering the Legal Drinking Age
Consumption of alcohol has been an ongoing debate since early history. Prohibition was a period of nearly fourteen years of U.S. history in which the manufacture, sale and transportation of liquor was made illegal. It led to the first and only time and amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified by 36 states on January 16, 1919 and took affect one year later. Many societies from ancient history wanted to maintain stability and believed that drunkenness led to illness, impoverishment and the disintegration of families. Once the sale and manufacture of alcohol became illegal, bootlegging became a new profession. Bootlegging is the unlawful sale and manufacture of alcohol. Illegal drinking establishments began opening and individuals began making their own alcohol at home. Enforcement of prohibition was extremely difficult,
References: Lynn, M. (2006). What is the Legal Drinking Age in the United States and Why? Retrieved on December 4, 2011 from: http://voices.yahoo.com/what-legal-drinking-age-united-states-116132.html Statistics Teenage Drunk Driving