Abstract
This paper examines the pros and cons of lowering the legal drinking age from 21 to 18. The author looks at several issues including the issue of binge drinking, and the amount of alcohol consumed among 18 to 21 year old. The author points out the absurdity by showing that at 18 you can get married, vote, be drafted, assume debt and even buy a gun, but in many states, you cannot drink. The political debate over lowering the drinking age is also examined.

From the Paper
"The problems associated with driving and drinking have not decreased due to raising the legal drinking age to 21 years old.Among the "binge" drinkers (those consuming over five drinks at one sitting at least once a week), eighteen percent of students over age 21 classify themselves as heavy drinkers compared to twenty-two percent of those under 21 years of age (Engs 1b). So even though drunk driving problems have decreased over the last two decades, there has been an increase in lower grades, missing classes, getting into fights and vomiting after drinking (Engs 1b). Society's approach to controlling underage drinking is not working and is in fact counterproductive(Engs)."

Tags:drinking, age, federal, funds, wisconsin, alcohol, consumption, legal, beer, age, laws, marriage, voting, debt, military

Abstract
This paper examines the issue of minimum drinking age laws and finds them ineffective. Citing low enforcement, an increase in binge drinking, fatalities, and other problems, the paper concludes that alternative should be found to the current laws.

From the Paper
"Laws prohibiting drinking under the age of ... are intended to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-related fatalities in teens. Recent studies, however, indicate that these laws are largely ineffective at preventing either the incidence of either. Introduction The efficacy of minimum drinking age laws (MDALs) have been hotly debated for decades. On the one hand many believe that the drinking age laws prevent a larger proportion of teens from drinking and driving thus also preventing many alcohol-related traffic fatalities among teens. A number of studies have been..."

Tags:drinking age, laws, MDALs, fatalities, students, binge drinking

Abstract
This paper explains that underage drinking has been a problem in Mexico because there are no laws that are enforced for teenagers that may become dangerously drunk or even killed under the influence of alcohol. The author points out that, when he or she crossed the border to relates, the author saw a limited implementation of the law and no preventive measures in Mexico to limit drinks to minors. The paper suggests that the issue of underage drinking is a cultural, economic and legal problem.

From the Paper
This study presents an experience that I had while crossing the Tijuana Border from San Diego. When traveling across the border into Tijuana there was a great deal of underage drinking that was allowed due to the differing cultural, legal, and economic problems that reside in Tijuana/San Diego trans-border relations. Although I was old enough to drink, I was made aware of the growing problem of underage drinking that was part of a personal experience in trans-border life. When interacting with the Mexicans across the border, I found that cultural, legal and economic factors allowed this activity to be a major problem for the safety of underage youths drinking Mexico. When I was old enough to drink I went with a few buddies across the border into Tijuana."

Tags:mexico, tijuana, drinking

Abstract
This paper discusses the legal drinking age law in the United States. The fact that one can buy cigarettes, engage in military service, and get married at eighteen is highlighted. In addition, research is cited that supports the lowering of the age to 18. The writer notes that the United States is one of only a handful of countries in the world that has a legal drinking age that is this high.

From the Paper
"While the legal drinking age in the United States has been twenty-one in all states since around 1984, this is not necessary. Most countries in the world have a legal age that ranges from 15-18 for purchases and generally accepts consumption at any age. Only Oman, Pakistan, Kiribati, the United Arab Emirates, and the Northern Mariana Islands have 21 as their drinking age along with the U.S. (Wikipedia). Those who support the law claim that by keeping this higher limit it saves lives and prevents young people from drinking and driving. Actually, keeping the drinking age at 21 is unwarranted and unnecessary. By lowering the drinking age in America to 18 ..."

Tags:underage, drinking, law

Abstract
This paper explains the utilitarian, deontological, and contractarian perspectives, and concludes that underage drinking is wrong.

From the Paper
"The issue of underage drinking is an ethical one that can be argued in terms of utilitarianism as a consequentialist, moral theory. Consequentialist theory focuses on the right and the good and utilitarianism seeks to maximize the right, considering the happiness theory of the good. Utilitarianism is concerned not with the happiness of an individual, however, but with that of all mankind. On that standpoint, since roughly no good can ensue to anyone from underage drinking and much unhappiness can result to the teens, their..."

Tags:underage drinking, teen, drinker, drinking age, philosophy, utilitarianism, act, rule, deontological, categorical imperative, contractarianism

Abstract
This paper explains that alcohol is basically a poison which acts as a depressant on the central nervous system, that can lead to death. The author points out that part of the problem seems to be that students, immersed in a social situation where binge drinking is pervasive, don't seem to realize what constitutes excess. The paper relates that binge drinking not only causes harm to the abuser but also causes economic, emotional and physical harm to other people and to society, such as automobile accidents, unprotected sex and birth defects.

From the Paper
"The age range which has the highest alcohol consumption rates is late teens to the late twenties. This statistic verifies that the social trend in this country seems to be that "adolescence" is being extended further and further as young people stay economically dependent in on their parents for longer periods of time. Along with this, adolescent behavior is becoming more acceptable for longer periods-that is, young people are not marrying or having families as early as previous generations. This is understandable in that, for many, economically, times are tough. But, part of "growing up" is to moderate behavior to what makes good sense. College students have to realize that they are mortal."

Tags:death, managed-drinking, aa, pervasive, sex

Abstract
This paper examines both sides of the drinking age controversy, the argument for lowering the age to 18 and that for keeping it at 21. Moral and ethical arguments are also presented.

From the Paper
"The appropriate legal age for drinking alcohol has long been a matter of debate. College students and other teenagers believe they should be allowed to drink while many parents and other authorities feel ..."

Tags:teen drinking, teen driving, accidents, legal, moral, ethical

Abstract
This paper presents several views on what the legal age should be for drinking. The author then takes the view that the legal age should be 21 and supports that view with statistics and other factual data.

From the Paper
"The question of what the legal drinking age should be has supporters in every age bracket. Some people think the age should be at least because legalizing drinking for earlier age groups starts them drinking ..."

Tags:teenage drinking age, argumentation-persuasion essay

Abstract
This research paper examines and analyzes the pros of lowering the legal drinking age in the United States from twenty-one to eighteen. The author provides statistical, practical, cultural, and psychological reasons for changing the present law.

Tags:CRIMINAL JUSTICE, LEGAL ISSUES, CENSORSHIP, POLICY / LAWS, a change drinking laws

Abstract
This paper explains how binge drinking adversely affects students in many different aspects such as schoolwork, health, and safety.

From the Paper
" To most people, binge drinking is a self-destructive, uncontrolled, drinking session that last for at least a couple of days. This leads the heavily intoxicated drinker to "drops out" by not working, ignoring responsibilities, and engaging in harmful behaviors such as fighting and unsafe sex. The editor of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol emphasizes, that "binge" describes the extended period of time during which time a person repeatedly becomes intoxicated and gives up his or her usual activities and obligations in order to become intoxicated. Binge drinking is most common on college campuses, where nearly half of all college students "binge" drink."

Tags:binge, drinking, alcohol, suicide, disease, college, university, teenagers, abstinence, campus, sexual, fraternity, student, sorority, problems, drunk, driving, academic