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 olds. 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)."
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."
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."
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.
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 ..."
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 In this paper, the writer presents a proposal for marketing research within the soft drink industry. The writer maintains that the proposed research would involve a broad-spectrum historical study. The writer continues that this research is intended to analyse the overall dynamics of consumer beverage preferences. The writer concludes that such research is with the objective of identifying market segments most open to further growth.
From the Paper "Consumer preferences in soft drinks or in non-alcoholic beverages in general are highly subjective and personal. However these preferences are not purely random or arbitrary, but conditioned by cultural attitudes. This is as true in the domestic market as in international markets. Consumers vary not only in their beverage preferences, but in how they respond to beverage marketing. This is well known, but common assumptions about the overall structure of the market often go unexamined and ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the legal age for alcohol consumption in the USA with the author making a case that the national drinking age minimum should be 18 rather than the current age of 21. The author includes reference to several laws that have been introduced in the past, finishing his argument by stating that not lowering the legal limit is diminishing the freedom of this age group.
From the Paper "It could be a weekly experience in reading any number of national newspapers, watching a national cable news broadcast, or overhearing a conversation in a grocery store check-out line, another teen tragedy of drinking. Almost as often there is discussion of the current level of American Armed Forces casualties in any number of the theaters of in the armed conflict our nation is embroiled in. A common thread between the two is the age of the focus of conversation, 18 years old. On one hand an eighteen year old youth is old enough to bravely fight and pay the ultimate price in the defense of the country, yet they are not old enough to participate in an activity that is perfectly legal (at the proper age), socially acceptable, and encourage by popular culture. There are a number of very important responsibilities that society expects of the eighteen year old, yet polling data indicates that the some society is opposed to letting this same age legally drink alcohol. We are blessed to live in a free society, and the proper way is regulate illegal activity, the sometime unfortunate consequences of alcohol consumption, not ban the activity altogether. This is an issue of personal freedom and responsibility. A free society expects its members to behave within legal parameters, not lord over its members like "Big Brother" or an omnipresent nanny."
Abstract This paper studies the marketing trends and strategies used by Good Body drink to market its product in the United States. An overview of the soft drink market in general is provided. The paper discusses the target market of Good Body drink and analyzes the product's marketing successes and failures. Various opportunities and threats facing the soft drink company are presented in this paper.
Introduction
Good Body Drink and its Target Market
The Drink Industry and its Current Environment
Good Body Drink's Marketing Successes and Failures
SWOT Analysis of Good Body Drink Opportunities and Threats to be Addressed
Conclusion
From the Paper "Good Body drink was established in California by a group of friends who were looking for a healthy alternative drink in the early 70s. The product during its initial stages was produced in the homes of the manufacturers and marketed to local establishments and restaurants by using personal selling. The advertisements and promotions used by the company were pleasing and appealed to the sense of humor of the community they served. When pricing the product the owners of the company choose to price it higher that the other drinks available in the market. In spite of the higher price of the product the company was able to increase the sales growth. With customer demand increasing the company also decided to diversify. It created more than 25 additional unique flavors to complement the ones that were already being marketed at the time."
Abstract This paper first describes the mass appeal of energy drinks to students and then examines the history of energy drinks since the introduction of the popular energy drink, Red Bull, in 1997. The major issues examined in this paper are whether or not the negative health risks associated with energy drinks make it worth the advantages that students use them for. The paper lastly discusses how the energy drink companies have grown in recent years and discusses the future of students and energy drinks.
From the Paper "Energy drinks should be taken into moderation to avoid the negative side effects of caffeine withdraw. Consuming abundant amounts of caffeine daily affects the body by creating an unhealthy dependency. The amount of caffeine that's needed daily to produce a dependency is labeled at 100 milligrams a day. Most energy drinks have equal or double that amount in just one 16 oz can. Energy drinks are just like any other addictive substance; once you are hooked the levels of tolerance for caffeine increases making it more difficult to maintain the "high" rush. Long extended periods of time without caffeine in a person's system, provided by energy drinks, cause them to exhibit caffeine withdrawal symptoms. Young adults will experience headaches, which are mild to extreme causes, which have been linked to deaths. Other symptoms that may arise include, but are not limited to fatigue, drowsiness, dysphonic mood, difficulty concentrating, depression, irritability, nausea, and muscle aches ([Griffiths et al., 1990] [Juliano and Griffiths, 2004]). Young adults need to be informed on this subject so they can make smarter choices about their health."
Tags: health risks, college students, energy stimulants caffeine
This paper seeks to answer the question whether the U.S., which tries to strictly control and even eradicate drinking by minors, has more or less of a problem with alcohol than Germany, which embraces alcohol as part of its culture.
Abstract After producing a short profile of each country's drinking habits, this paper proceeds to examine what is known about the problem of episodic drinking by young people in both countries. It rejects the view that the U.S. is experiencing an "epidemic" of underage drinking as a statistical illusion generated by the country's higher than normal drinking age. It argues that the U.S. is not even one of the countries with a growing problem of episodic (binge) drinking by younger people, although there may well be a delimited problem specific to the college community.
From the Paper ?According to Joseph A. Califano Jr. of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, the United States (US) is in the midst of an ?epidemic of underage drinking.? The 145-page CASA report Teen Tipplers: America's Underage Drinking Epidemic (2002) asserts that underage drinking accounts for 25 per cent of all US alcohol consumption. Although CASA was soon forced to retract this sensational claim ? the real figure is more like 11.4 per cent - there is still reason for concern. Over 5 million high school children ? 31 per cent of the US high school population ? say they binge drink at least once a month. (Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks in a row by a male, or four or more by a female.) At college level, the percentage rises to 44 per cent. Furthermore, in their college years young American females drink almost as much as males, a characteristic unknown in other countries.?
An analysis of the following articles: "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. Fern
Abstract 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."
Abstract This paper looks at different research, studies, and statistics regarding teenage alcohol consumption in America. The paper looks at which gender tends to drink the most, the reasons why teens drink, and the problems associated with adolescent drinking, as well as what parents can do to to prevent their teens from drinking alcohol.
From the Paper "Although the legal drinking age in the United States is 21, studies reveal that nearly one-fourth of all alcohol sold in the U.S. is consumed by people under the age of 20 (Greene, 2002). According to experts at Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, approximately 30 percent of today's high school students binge drink (consume five drinks in a row) at least once a month and that teenage drinking represents a $27 billion dollar annual business in the US."
Abstract This paper provides a brief literature review and "talking points" on the topic of alcoholism and controlled drinking. According to the paper, some researchers believe that controlled drinking is a more effective strategy than is abstinence. This is attributed to the presence of alcohol in multiple aspects of daily life. It stresses the point that a reformed alcoholic will frequently be exposed to others who are drinking, and will subsequently feel pressures to drink.
From the Paper "Some researchers believe that controlled drinking is a more effective strategy than is abstinence. This is attributed to the presence of alcohol in multiple aspects of daily life. A reformed alcoholic will frequently be exposed to others who are drinking, and will subsequently feel pressures to drink. Additionally, there are questions concerning the feasibility of total abstinence when the alcoholic has defined this substance as a coping mechanism for dealing with problems, and this makes it extremely difficult for an alcoholic to completely sever themselves from the coping tool without making them vulnerable to relapse in moments of weakness. It has been proposed that controlled drinking is a strategy that will help circumvent these issues while also allowing the alcoholic to impose controls over their abuse of alcohol. "
Abstract The paper discusses the shocking number of drinking-related accidents and deaths among college students, the interference that drinking can cause when it comes to education and the health benefits of not drinking at a young age. The paper explains that college provides many students with their first taste of freedom, away from parental eyes. The paper contends, therefore, that the legal age for drinking should be moved to 30-years-old to provide a safe transition from the teenage years to the adult world. The paper concludes that such an age minimum will save lives, promote good health habits and make life much easier for millions of people across the nation.
Outline:
Introduction
The Facts
Conclusion
From the Paper "College is a time when students expand their horizons. They explore the philosophical side of life, learn that professors love verbal discourse within the classroom, and begin to form their political views. It is also a time in which many students have their first taste of freedom from parental eyes and this can often lead to experimentation with relationships, drinking and other elements of life that were not encouraged or allowed before the student left for the dormitory. Unfortunately the desire to experiment with drinking just as a student is completing a higher education can potentially lead to disaster. The incidence of accidents, poor choices, and flunking out of school all become real possibilities when students start drinking."
