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The Legal Drinking Age Debate

The Legal Drinking Age Debate . Conrad Olszewski. Brief History. 1934 – Legal Drinking age was set at 21 years of age. 1974 – Legal Drinking age for beer was lowered from 21 to 18 years. 1983 – Legal Drinking age for all sales of beer raised to 19 years

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The Legal Drinking Age Debate

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  1. The Legal Drinking Age Debate Conrad Olszewski

  2. Brief History • 1934 – Legal Drinking age was set at 21 years of age. • 1974 – Legal Drinking age for beer was lowered from 21 to 18 years. • 1983 – Legal Drinking age for all sales of beer raised to 19 years • 1987 – Legal Drinking age for alcoholic beverages raised to 21 years • Today – The legal age to purchase, consume, and possess alcohol is still 21 years.

  3. The Problem • The debate over what should be the legal drinking age has been going on for years. • Should the drinking age in the United States remain at 21 years? • Should the drinking age in the United States be lowered to 18 years? • Several pros and cons for both sides of the argument. • Should be analyzed in order to come up with appropriate mediation.

  4. Pro Number 1 • Lowering the drinking age would teach responsibility to teenagers • Would educate them on the matter • Would allow supervision from adults • Would avoid sneaking around and irresponsible behavior

  5. Con Number 1 • Lowering the Drinking Age would lead to more accidents and fatalities • Leading cause of death of teens are traffic accidents • 28 % of these traffic accidents are alcohol related • Teens in the U.S are allowed to drive at a young age, more likely to drive drunk

  6. Pro Number 2 • Gives adults a basic right they should have at this age. • At 18, people can do many new things…except this one • People feel that it is unconstitutional • Teens feel like they can’t be trusted by adults • “Our society's age-specific approaches often boil down to curbing the freedoms of the young -- and increasing their punishments...” -FromaHarrop, national columnist

  7. Con Number 2 • It would lead to teens making bad decisions. • Can lead to unwise choices such as unprotected sex, violence, drugs, etc. • Drinking and driving would be a major concern • This puts their life in danger as well as others on the road

  8. Pro Number 3 • The current law does not work. • Teens under 21 drink regardless of what the law says • Police could spend more time doing more productive things • More time could be spent educating about alcohol instead of preventing it. • "It's time to rethink the drinking age… Twenty-one is not working.”

  9. Con Number 3 • “Trickle Down Effect” • Would give high schoolers and middle schoolers easier access to alcohol • Most common source of alcohol for 18-20 years are their 21-24 year old friends • More kids would be getting in trouble at younger age

  10. The Solution • The Legal Drinking Age in the United State should be lowered to 18 years and the legal driving age should be raised to 18 years • 18 year olds would have to complete an alcohol education test before obtaining their drivers license • People under 21 would not be able to operate a vehicle with any traces of alcohol in their system

  11. Benefits of Mediation • Would teach teens responsibility through education on the topic in schools. • Would give people the rights they deserve. • Would prevent many alcohol related traffic accidents.

  12. Works Cited • 1.) "Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered from 21 to a Younger Age?" Www.procon.org. National Institute of Health, 9 Feb. 2009. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://drinkingage.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=1610>. • 2.) Harrop, Froma. "Pro and Con Arguments." Www.procon.org. 4 June 2010. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. http://drinkingage.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=1610. • 3.)"The Debate on Lowering The Drinking Age." Www.cbsnews.com. 1 Mar. 2012. Web. 3 Mar. 27. http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18560_162-4813571.html?pageNum=4&tag=contentMain;contentBody. • 4.) Minton, Michelle. "Lower The Drinking Age For Everyone." Www.nationalreview.com. 20 Apr. 2011. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. <http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/264916/lower-drinking-age-everyone-michelle-minton>.

  13. Works Cited (continued) • 5.) Cauchon, Dennis. "Zero-tolerance Policies Lack Flexibility." Www.usatoday.com. 13 Apr. 1999. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. http://www.usatoday.com/educate/ednews3.htm. • 6.) "Should Parents Give Alcohol To Their Kids?" Www.cbsnews.com. 22 Mar. 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500172_162-20045848.html>. • 7.) Schlesinger, Robert. "The Drinking Age Debate." Www.usanews.com. 23 Feb. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2009/02/23/the-drinking-age-debate-time-to-go-from-21-to-18-but-its-not-an-easy-call. • 8.) "Under-21 College Students More Likely To Binge Drink" Www.chicagotribune.com. 19 June 2000. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-06-19/news/0006190050_1_alcohol-at-fraternity-parties-bars-and-on-campus-parties-henry-wechsler. • 9.) Figueroa, Alyssa. "Amethyst Initiative and Underage Drinking." Www.imprintmagazine.org. 4 Nov. 2008. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.imprintmagazine.org/life_and_style/amethyst_initiative_and_underage_drinking>.

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