Humanities rhetoric project - lowering the age of alcohol consumption?
Reflexion
My project was about the drinking age. I wrote a personal essay to represent my opinion and I wrote a research essay. The research essay had also other opinions in it. For example, opinions from the opposite site and some resolutions for this topic. I was not at the exhibition because I was sick. I wish I were able to go to the exhibition. But I feel very informed about the topics from a few others.
I learned a lot about the opposite site and that my own perspective has also a lot of negative things, which I did not see before. I understand the other opinion a lot better and the reasons for their opinion.
For example, the rate of pregnancy is a lot higher when it is allowed to drink alcohol at a younger age or that more car accidents happen when it is allowed to drink alcohol earlier. I understand that other people, which do not have the same opinion about the drinking age a lot of good and interesting points have to support their opinion. I interviewed a person, which has the opposing site of mine and this person told me the reasons for this opinion and it was really inspirational. I thought a lot about this interview and this point helped me a lot to understand the thoughts.
But I also learned something new about my opinion. I learned that it would be a safer drinking environment because the people are allowed to drink and more people are less criminal. I saw some interesting opinion letters or some graphics which showed all of those things very good.
I think democracy is really important in our environment. I never could do this topic without democracy. Democracy is also more fun than a republic.
You can listen to any music you want and watch movies or read books that interest you. You can go wherever you want and do not need anyone’s permission. Also, no one can tell you what clothes you should wear. And all these things are a part of democracy. Everyone’s life would be so different without democracy I guess.
My personal opinion has not completely changed during this project but I understand the other site a lot better and learned a lot of new things. I think it should be allowed to drink alcohol earlier but 16 how it is in Germany is a little bit too early. And this is one thing I learned during this project. To consume alcohol with 16 years Is definitely too early. And I wish the law about the drinking age would be higher in Germany. The other site has changed my opinion a little bit with their arguments and thoughts.
A rogerian rhetoric would be very important because it will create a situation conductiv to cooperation and this would be so good for our social democracy.
My project was about the drinking age. I wrote a personal essay to represent my opinion and I wrote a research essay. The research essay had also other opinions in it. For example, opinions from the opposite site and some resolutions for this topic. I was not at the exhibition because I was sick. I wish I were able to go to the exhibition. But I feel very informed about the topics from a few others.
I learned a lot about the opposite site and that my own perspective has also a lot of negative things, which I did not see before. I understand the other opinion a lot better and the reasons for their opinion.
For example, the rate of pregnancy is a lot higher when it is allowed to drink alcohol at a younger age or that more car accidents happen when it is allowed to drink alcohol earlier. I understand that other people, which do not have the same opinion about the drinking age a lot of good and interesting points have to support their opinion. I interviewed a person, which has the opposing site of mine and this person told me the reasons for this opinion and it was really inspirational. I thought a lot about this interview and this point helped me a lot to understand the thoughts.
But I also learned something new about my opinion. I learned that it would be a safer drinking environment because the people are allowed to drink and more people are less criminal. I saw some interesting opinion letters or some graphics which showed all of those things very good.
I think democracy is really important in our environment. I never could do this topic without democracy. Democracy is also more fun than a republic.
You can listen to any music you want and watch movies or read books that interest you. You can go wherever you want and do not need anyone’s permission. Also, no one can tell you what clothes you should wear. And all these things are a part of democracy. Everyone’s life would be so different without democracy I guess.
My personal opinion has not completely changed during this project but I understand the other site a lot better and learned a lot of new things. I think it should be allowed to drink alcohol earlier but 16 how it is in Germany is a little bit too early. And this is one thing I learned during this project. To consume alcohol with 16 years Is definitely too early. And I wish the law about the drinking age would be higher in Germany. The other site has changed my opinion a little bit with their arguments and thoughts.
A rogerian rhetoric would be very important because it will create a situation conductiv to cooperation and this would be so good for our social democracy.
Part 1: Drinking age – lower it? (Personal Essay)
I am from Germany and the laws in Germany are quite different from those in America. Among other things, this includes the law of alcohol consumption. In Germany, at the age of 16 you are allowed to drink and buy beer, wine and sparkling wine legally. All other alcoholic drinks can be bought and drank with the age of 18 years and above legally. As a result, my personal connection and attitude is more that it should be allowed to get alcoholic drinks under the age of 21. It does not necessarily have to be at the age of 16, but at the age of 18 it should be legal in my opinion, because then you are an adult everywhere in the world. And my personal opinion is that you should decide over your own body when you are an adult and that includes alcohol consumption.
Due to the fact that in Germany it is allowed to consume alcohol at the age of 16, many people drink alcohol at the age of 16 and I think it is good that it is allowed before the age of majority. I think I have this opinion because it is just normal to drink earlier in Germany and in my view, there are also some benefits. I think that people learn through their mistakes and experiences regardless of whether positive or negative shape them. And the consumption of alcohol is definitely an experience in my eyes. I know that alcohol has many negative effects. However, such experiences are important, because if you know how to deal with the drug alcohol and may not drink alcohol for the first time without your parents knowing it. But if you consumed alcohol with your parents for the first time, you will learn much better where your limits are and you can handle alcohol better.
My point of view on this topic, that it is good to reduce the age of alcohol consumption, has been further intensified and characterized by the fact that teenagers or even adults are not allowed to consume alcohol, buy it or drink it legally yet. This causes a lot more problems, which can lead to legally acquiring alcohol. For example, I had life experiences where teenagers bought alcohol illegally. This happened when I visited a friend who was in Alabama for a year. Together we had plans to hang out with her friends. Her friends bought and drank alcohol without our knowledge, even though they were not 21 years old yet. These friends drank so much alcohol that they had an alcohol poisoning and did not go to the hospital because their parents should not get it. Her friends were afraid of the punishment, and I think this is a real problem that young people can buy or drink this drug illegally and do not know their limits and thus can suffer serious injuries or even die. Another experience related to the topic of alcohol consumption, which told me by the friend who was in Alabama, is that teenagers drove home alone after a party on which they consumed alcohol and this poses a dangerous situation for all road users. In this case you can not contact your parents to pick you up because it is illegal to consume alcohol.
As I have already said, this experience influenced my opinion very much and for such reasons I think that it should be allowed to lower the age of alcohol consumption. I do not want to say that such risks only exist in America. There are also many incidents in Germany, but I think that many young people know better how to deal with alcohol because they deal with weaker alcohol earlier and they often take the first sip of alcohol with their parents at the age of 16. However, one might argue that at the age of 16, you are not mature enough and have too little life experience to take responsibility and make decisions that will not hurt you and others.
Of course, I can fully understand that alcohol in America is only allowed at the age of 21. Of course, there are many drawbacks to drinking alcohol before the age of 21, but by lowering the age of alcohol consumption you would reduce the illegal acquisition of alcohol and thus reduce the crime rate.
The fact that it is not permitted in America until the age of 21 to acquire and consume alcohol legally does not provide my perspective. As already mentioned, I can also understand why it is not allowed to drink alcohol earlier, but I see more negative things than positive things to allow alcohol until three years of being an adult.
I am from Germany and the laws in Germany are quite different from those in America. Among other things, this includes the law of alcohol consumption. In Germany, at the age of 16 you are allowed to drink and buy beer, wine and sparkling wine legally. All other alcoholic drinks can be bought and drank with the age of 18 years and above legally. As a result, my personal connection and attitude is more that it should be allowed to get alcoholic drinks under the age of 21. It does not necessarily have to be at the age of 16, but at the age of 18 it should be legal in my opinion, because then you are an adult everywhere in the world. And my personal opinion is that you should decide over your own body when you are an adult and that includes alcohol consumption.
Due to the fact that in Germany it is allowed to consume alcohol at the age of 16, many people drink alcohol at the age of 16 and I think it is good that it is allowed before the age of majority. I think I have this opinion because it is just normal to drink earlier in Germany and in my view, there are also some benefits. I think that people learn through their mistakes and experiences regardless of whether positive or negative shape them. And the consumption of alcohol is definitely an experience in my eyes. I know that alcohol has many negative effects. However, such experiences are important, because if you know how to deal with the drug alcohol and may not drink alcohol for the first time without your parents knowing it. But if you consumed alcohol with your parents for the first time, you will learn much better where your limits are and you can handle alcohol better.
My point of view on this topic, that it is good to reduce the age of alcohol consumption, has been further intensified and characterized by the fact that teenagers or even adults are not allowed to consume alcohol, buy it or drink it legally yet. This causes a lot more problems, which can lead to legally acquiring alcohol. For example, I had life experiences where teenagers bought alcohol illegally. This happened when I visited a friend who was in Alabama for a year. Together we had plans to hang out with her friends. Her friends bought and drank alcohol without our knowledge, even though they were not 21 years old yet. These friends drank so much alcohol that they had an alcohol poisoning and did not go to the hospital because their parents should not get it. Her friends were afraid of the punishment, and I think this is a real problem that young people can buy or drink this drug illegally and do not know their limits and thus can suffer serious injuries or even die. Another experience related to the topic of alcohol consumption, which told me by the friend who was in Alabama, is that teenagers drove home alone after a party on which they consumed alcohol and this poses a dangerous situation for all road users. In this case you can not contact your parents to pick you up because it is illegal to consume alcohol.
As I have already said, this experience influenced my opinion very much and for such reasons I think that it should be allowed to lower the age of alcohol consumption. I do not want to say that such risks only exist in America. There are also many incidents in Germany, but I think that many young people know better how to deal with alcohol because they deal with weaker alcohol earlier and they often take the first sip of alcohol with their parents at the age of 16. However, one might argue that at the age of 16, you are not mature enough and have too little life experience to take responsibility and make decisions that will not hurt you and others.
Of course, I can fully understand that alcohol in America is only allowed at the age of 21. Of course, there are many drawbacks to drinking alcohol before the age of 21, but by lowering the age of alcohol consumption you would reduce the illegal acquisition of alcohol and thus reduce the crime rate.
The fact that it is not permitted in America until the age of 21 to acquire and consume alcohol legally does not provide my perspective. As already mentioned, I can also understand why it is not allowed to drink alcohol earlier, but I see more negative things than positive things to allow alcohol until three years of being an adult.
It is better to lowering the drinking age?
(research Essay)
Could it be better to decline the legal drinking age of alcohol in America?
That's the question, the opinions are different and that's a good thing, there are many advantages but also many disadvantages, which occur if one would lower the age of the consumption of alcohol. I understand both perspectives and can understand why the alcohol law is being handled as it is currently being handled in America. Nevertheless, almost everyone is an adult at the age of 18 and should be able to do what they want. You can go to the military, vote, you have a driver's license and much more. Why is it not allowed to consume alcohol at the age of 18?
The history of the alcohol law has changed over many years. In 1933 each state was allowed to set its own alcohol law.In most states the age of legal alcohol consumption were 21 years . However, two states determined an age of 18 for women and 21 for men. Is not that unfair?
I think so, but that's another topic.
In 1971 was everyone at the age of 18 are allowed to drink alcohol. But in 1988 this was changed again.
In some states it is allowed to drink alcohol under the age of 21 if it takes place in private, if it has a religious reason or if it has an educational reason.
There are already mentioned advantages and disadvantages of drinking alcohol when you are younger than 21. For example, the brain is not fully developed when you are under 21 years. Or you may not be in control of yourself and more willing to injure others or yourself. Some also say that you have too little life experience to be able to handle alcohol under the age of 21. However, you have to say that if you want, you always get alcohol and it does not matter if it is legal or not. So drinking alcohol has not stopped under 21 years. This was also proven by several college and university professors. For example, fake IDs are made which are used to buy alcohol.
There are a lot of different laws about the legal age of alcohol consumption around the world. The drinking age in Germany, Austria, Haiti or Luxemburg is 16. In Malta and Cyprus is the age of legal drinking at 17 years. Al lot of countries have a legal drinking age at 18. For example, China, Australia, Spain and Sweden. Canada, South Korea and Nicaragua allow the legal alcohol consumption at 19 years. At 20 years is it allowed to drink alcohol in Japan, Paraguay and Iceland. The USA, Indonesia and Pakistan allow an age of 21. And Cuba, Romania, Vietnam and some other countries don’t have a drinking age.
Alcohol is only allowed from the age of 21, because the brain is not fully developed yet and brain cells are killed by alcohol. In addition, people who oppose a coverage of legal alcohol use say that the chance of unwanted pregnancies is higher and the period of alcohol-related crime starts earlier and stops later. Many people also say that there is a generally more dangerous situation if you drink alcohol between the ages of 18 and 20 years.
Other people who support the reduction of legal alcohol consumption age say, for example, that the social environment causes more positive vibes if drinking alcohol was allowed earlier of legal In addition, research confirms that lowering the age of alcohol use does not protect lives. It is also said that teenagers are better at dealing with alcohol if it were allowed earlier.
I think we should lower the age of the alcohol law. Research from several universities prove that the deaths by reducing the age of alcohol consumption have not decreased. And since alcohol can anyway be acquired illegally, if you want, it is in my view better to reduce the age of legal alcohol consumption, because this would reduce the crime rate. Everyone can decide for themselves if they want to buy, drink or own alcohol. So it would be up to you. In addition, everyone is as I said at the age of 18 years an adult and in my opinion can anyone do what they want, as long as it does not harm other people.
The age in which you can legally consume alcohol does not have to be lowered at 16 how it is in Germany. But at the age of 18 years or maybe from 19 years, I think it appropriate. If you changed the age to 19 or 20, it might be a solution for the problem, because that would be about the middle of drinking age at 18 and 21.
However, the illegal drinking as a teenager would not be solved, but other things would be solved, even if the age is only lowered by 1 year.
(research Essay)
Could it be better to decline the legal drinking age of alcohol in America?
That's the question, the opinions are different and that's a good thing, there are many advantages but also many disadvantages, which occur if one would lower the age of the consumption of alcohol. I understand both perspectives and can understand why the alcohol law is being handled as it is currently being handled in America. Nevertheless, almost everyone is an adult at the age of 18 and should be able to do what they want. You can go to the military, vote, you have a driver's license and much more. Why is it not allowed to consume alcohol at the age of 18?
The history of the alcohol law has changed over many years. In 1933 each state was allowed to set its own alcohol law.In most states the age of legal alcohol consumption were 21 years . However, two states determined an age of 18 for women and 21 for men. Is not that unfair?
I think so, but that's another topic.
In 1971 was everyone at the age of 18 are allowed to drink alcohol. But in 1988 this was changed again.
In some states it is allowed to drink alcohol under the age of 21 if it takes place in private, if it has a religious reason or if it has an educational reason.
There are already mentioned advantages and disadvantages of drinking alcohol when you are younger than 21. For example, the brain is not fully developed when you are under 21 years. Or you may not be in control of yourself and more willing to injure others or yourself. Some also say that you have too little life experience to be able to handle alcohol under the age of 21. However, you have to say that if you want, you always get alcohol and it does not matter if it is legal or not. So drinking alcohol has not stopped under 21 years. This was also proven by several college and university professors. For example, fake IDs are made which are used to buy alcohol.
There are a lot of different laws about the legal age of alcohol consumption around the world. The drinking age in Germany, Austria, Haiti or Luxemburg is 16. In Malta and Cyprus is the age of legal drinking at 17 years. Al lot of countries have a legal drinking age at 18. For example, China, Australia, Spain and Sweden. Canada, South Korea and Nicaragua allow the legal alcohol consumption at 19 years. At 20 years is it allowed to drink alcohol in Japan, Paraguay and Iceland. The USA, Indonesia and Pakistan allow an age of 21. And Cuba, Romania, Vietnam and some other countries don’t have a drinking age.
Alcohol is only allowed from the age of 21, because the brain is not fully developed yet and brain cells are killed by alcohol. In addition, people who oppose a coverage of legal alcohol use say that the chance of unwanted pregnancies is higher and the period of alcohol-related crime starts earlier and stops later. Many people also say that there is a generally more dangerous situation if you drink alcohol between the ages of 18 and 20 years.
Other people who support the reduction of legal alcohol consumption age say, for example, that the social environment causes more positive vibes if drinking alcohol was allowed earlier of legal In addition, research confirms that lowering the age of alcohol use does not protect lives. It is also said that teenagers are better at dealing with alcohol if it were allowed earlier.
I think we should lower the age of the alcohol law. Research from several universities prove that the deaths by reducing the age of alcohol consumption have not decreased. And since alcohol can anyway be acquired illegally, if you want, it is in my view better to reduce the age of legal alcohol consumption, because this would reduce the crime rate. Everyone can decide for themselves if they want to buy, drink or own alcohol. So it would be up to you. In addition, everyone is as I said at the age of 18 years an adult and in my opinion can anyone do what they want, as long as it does not harm other people.
The age in which you can legally consume alcohol does not have to be lowered at 16 how it is in Germany. But at the age of 18 years or maybe from 19 years, I think it appropriate. If you changed the age to 19 or 20, it might be a solution for the problem, because that would be about the middle of drinking age at 18 and 21.
However, the illegal drinking as a teenager would not be solved, but other things would be solved, even if the age is only lowered by 1 year.
Bibliography:
An opinion page from Gabrielle Glaser:
https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/02/10/you-must-be-21-to-drink/return-the-drinking-age-to-18-and-enforce-it (11-11-19 / 10:57 AM)
Open letter from S. Georgia Nugent:
https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/02/10/you-must-be-21-to-drink/raising-the-drinking-age-to-21-has-been-a-disasterous-30-year-experiment
(11-11-19 / 11:05 AM)
Open letter from Ali Thor :
http://www.dailynebraskan.com/opinion/throm-lowering-the-drinking-age-to-is-better-than-keeping/article_a28eef04-983b-11e7-9da0-8fbea1f03e90.html (11-11-19 / 11:10 AM)
Opinion page from Christopher S. Carpenter:
https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/02/10/you-must-be-21-to-drink/current-drinking-age-of-21-is-working (11-11-19 / 11:12 AM)
Research page :
https://www.youthrights.org/issues/drinking-age/reasons-to-challenge-the-drinking-age/ (11-11-19 / 11:16 AM )
Opinion page from Tara Watson :
https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/02/10/you-must-be-21-to-drink/lowering-the-drinking-age-has-serious-consequences (11-11-19 / 11:20 AM)
Pros and cons :
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/pros-and-cons-of-lowering-the-drinking-age-to-18
(11-11-19 / 11:25 AM)
Research Page :
https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/09/08/a-lower-age-would-be-unsafe
(11-11-19 / 11:30 AM)
An opinion page from Gabrielle Glaser:
https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/02/10/you-must-be-21-to-drink/return-the-drinking-age-to-18-and-enforce-it (11-11-19 / 10:57 AM)
Open letter from S. Georgia Nugent:
https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/02/10/you-must-be-21-to-drink/raising-the-drinking-age-to-21-has-been-a-disasterous-30-year-experiment
(11-11-19 / 11:05 AM)
Open letter from Ali Thor :
http://www.dailynebraskan.com/opinion/throm-lowering-the-drinking-age-to-is-better-than-keeping/article_a28eef04-983b-11e7-9da0-8fbea1f03e90.html (11-11-19 / 11:10 AM)
Opinion page from Christopher S. Carpenter:
https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/02/10/you-must-be-21-to-drink/current-drinking-age-of-21-is-working (11-11-19 / 11:12 AM)
Research page :
https://www.youthrights.org/issues/drinking-age/reasons-to-challenge-the-drinking-age/ (11-11-19 / 11:16 AM )
Opinion page from Tara Watson :
https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/02/10/you-must-be-21-to-drink/lowering-the-drinking-age-has-serious-consequences (11-11-19 / 11:20 AM)
Pros and cons :
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/pros-and-cons-of-lowering-the-drinking-age-to-18
(11-11-19 / 11:25 AM)
Research Page :
https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/09/08/a-lower-age-would-be-unsafe
(11-11-19 / 11:30 AM)