Underage Gambling

Term Paper # 100651

Child, Youth Issues
Sociology

Underage Gambling

An overview of the implications of underage gambling.

1,555 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how, in an age of emphasis on material success, gambling is causing society to move even further away from the things that truly matter in life. It looks at how, although there are many aspects of gambling that ultimately benefit its victims, teenagers are being drawn into gambling for all of the wrong reasons. While true that cultural roles can be satisfied in one contained activity, the ultimate goal of gambling never changes; to win money. It contends that, although gambling provides many beneficial things to gamblers, it cannot be considered a helpful and acceptable part of society until teenagers see that gambling does not need to be driven by greed, power, and material desire.

From the Paper:

"Despite the significant downsides of underage gambling, can the compulsive activity carry benefits as well? Marco R. della Cavs, author of the article Poker at an Early Age: Not Just Another Teen Fad, asserts that, "Poker offers teens five things: social interaction, especially for the socially awkward; help with math and other number-related skills; an understanding of risk/reward scenarios; lessons on how to read looks and gestures; and insights into your own limits of self-control." With so much proof of how detrimental gambling is to its users, is relieving to know that these benefits still exist."

Sample of Sources Used:

Della Cavs, Narco R. "Poker At an Early Age: Not Just Another Teen Fad." USA Today. 24 Dec. 2004. 9 Apr. 2007 <http://www.usatoday.com/life/2004-12-20-poker-cover_x.htm>.
Haughton, Marshall, and N Harris. "Young Men and Gambling in the ACT: an Exploritory Study of Attitudes, Perceptions, and Engagement." ANU. 2005. 7 May 2007 <http://gambling.anu.edu.au/menu/PDFs/>.
Korn, David. "Examining Gambling Issues From a Public Health Perspective." EGambling. 14 Apr. 2007. University of Toronto. 24 June 2002<http://www.camh.net/egambling/archive>.
Saraceno, Jon. "Popularity of Poker on Television Comes with Certain Amount of Risk." USA Today. 14 Apr. 2007 23 Aug. 2004. 14 Apr. 2007 <http://www.mywire.com/pubs/USATODAY>.
Whyte, Keith. Telephone interview. 11 May 2007.