Essay, Research Paper: Lowering The Drinking Age

Is The Number “21” Magic?
I. Is the number 21 part of a magic trick?
A. What is so special about the age 21.
B. Does it make you mature enough to consume alcohol?
1. Some adults abuse alcohol while some teenagers would be able to drink responsibly.
II. The average age kids began drinking is 12. (“The Binge Generation”, Ladies home Journal, December 1999, P. 116)
A. We need to educate young adults about safe drinking and drinking in moderation.
III. The national drinking age should be lowered to 18.
IV. I will be discussing the following items.
A. Binge drinking has become a problem among young adults.
B. Young adults are not ready to deal with the responsibility of drinking when they have the right.
C. Foreign countries should be a role model for the United States.
I. Binge drinking has become a problem among young adults.
A. The average age kids began drinking is 12.
1. 10.4 million kids have reported drinking within the last year.
2. 49% of kids who drink are binge drinkers.
(“The Binge Generation”, Ladies Home Journal, December 1999, P.116)
B. Banning alcohol for young people creates an atmosphere where alcohol abuse and binge drinking has become a major problem on college campuses.
1. College is viewed as liberation because they have easier access to alcohol.
C. It is legal for 18 year olds to drive cars, fly airplanes, marry, pay taxes, vote and risk their lives for our country but they cannot legally drink a beer.
II. Young adults are not ready to deal with the responsibility when they have the right.
A. If 18 year olds do not have the opportunity to even a beer in a public place, they are not ready to deal with the responsibility that comes with drinking when they do have the right.

B. Young adults look at drinking as something glamorous.
1. Drinking is viewed as an adult activity.
2. Teens want to become adults as soon as possible.
C. Pete Coors stated in an interview with USA Today that “We shouldn’t be preaching “Don’t Drink””. “We should be preaching responsible drinking”.
III. Foreign countries should be a role model for the United States.
A. The per capita consumption of alcohol in countries like France, Spain, and Portugal is higher than the United States.
1. But the rate of alcoholism and alcohol abuse is lower.
B. European teens have learned how to drink gradually and safely.
I. The problems of binge drinking and alcohol abuse would be helped best if the drinking age was lowered to 18.
A. So how about we reverse the magic trick and treat 18 year olds like the real adults they are.


Word Count: 452