Lowering the Drinking Age

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the debate surrounding the lowering of the legal minimum drinking age and, in doing so, examines and compares two peer-reviewed articles on the subject: "Effects of Minimum Drinking Age Laws" by A.C. Wagenaar and T.L. Toomey and "Indirect Effects of Lowering the Drinking Age on New Zealand Students' Alcohol-Related Behaviours and Attitudes" by K. Brownfield, K. Fernando and J. Halberstadt. The paper shows how these two articles answer a number of questions regarding the sociological and scientific research discussions about the effects that a lowered drinking age has on driving under the influence.

Outline:
Introduction
Results and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The legal minimum drinking age is a highly debated and frequently contested issue in public policy and law. One of the most incremental issues regarding the legal drinking age is the number of automobile accidents, that involve drinking. DUIs are significant issues in any community and among teens and youthful drinkers they seem to be even more significant due to the fact that these drivers are inexperienced, often distracted and highly likely to challenge the boundaries of safe driving with or without alcohol. (Sarkar & Andreas, 2004, p. 687) There are those who say that a reduction in the drinking age will likely result in an increase in the incidence of DUI and DUI related accidents while still others say that the drinking age should be lowered as it allows drinking behavior to be monitored and controlled in a way that is positive for the community and would likely reduce incidence of DUI."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brownfield, K., Fernando, K., & Halberstadt, J. (2003). Indirect Effects of Lowering the Drinking Age on New Zealand Students' Alcohol-Related Behaviours and Attitudes. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 32(1), 22. Retrieved May 28, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001970912
• Fagan, J. (2005, September). Adolescents, Maturity, and the Law: Why Science and Development Matter in Juvenile Justice. The American Prospect, 16, 5.
• Fillmore, M. T., Carscadden, J. L., & Vogel-Sprott, M. (1998). Alcohol, Cognitive Impairment and Expectancies. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 59(2), 174.
• Pager, D and Lincoln Q. Walking the Talk? What Employers Say Versus What They Do. American Sociological Review 70: 2005, 355-380.
• Sarkar, S., & Andreas, M. (2004). Acceptance of and Engagement in Risky Driving Behaviors by Teenagers. Adolescence, 39(156), 687.

More papers on Lowering the Drinking Age:

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• Persuasive Essay # 119453 : "Lower the Drinking Age"
• Argumentative Essay # 118093 : "The Drinking Age and Helping Youth"

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