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Underage drinking

Underage drinking happens everyday. Although there are many ways of hanging out and getting to know people, it seems that many people chose or like socializing with others at parties, most of which have alcohol. Drinking at parties may not be the best way to meet someone but I believe people chose this way because first, it's a party, many people normally come and it's an oppurtunity to meet new people. Second, I believe people choose to drink alchol at parties because alchol does help people relax and possilby more social. I also believe people use the excuse of alcohol to express themselves and see how people react. - Example: Someone who is normally a quite person may want to be more social but doesn't really know how to interact with others may attend an alcohol provided party, drink, and try to socialize with others. If the conversrtaion is going great, that person not only feels great but meet his or her goal. If the conversation doesn't go so great, that person normally (my analysis of what I've seen and heard) blames their whatever happened on alcohol. So in a since, I believe people use alcohol as a possible escape goat.- Which I believe is funny but not wrong. Yes, underage drinking is against the law, but I truly believe that overtime through experience, people start becoming responsible drinkers.

"Thirsty Thursday" originated with College of Business students who, not having classes on Friday (and the COB being closed in general on that day) could begin their week early. The phrase is catchy and kinda like a universal tradition. People choose to drink on Thursday, I believe, because thursday is the day before the weekend starts for many people. Let me explain. When the weekend comes, some people travel home, some go camping, or do whatever and less people are ar OSU. On Thursday, most of OSU students are still at OSU and so throwing parties or drinking can be shared with more people which can lead to more excitement or fun.

Although Thirsty Thursday will probably never be changed, I've experienced during Spring, when the weather is great, that many people start expanding there "thirsty thursday" from Monday-Thursday. As great weather comes around, more and more people are excited and want to have fun and enjoy themselves. Although drinking does happen on the weekends, I see more and more people starting to drink throughout the whole week.

From attending college parties, I would say 95% to 100% of people attending partake in drinking. Looking up the definition of binge drinking- "Drinking to intoxication. Drinking five or more drinks at a time is considered binge drinking," I would probably say 80% of party goers are binge drinkers driniking five or more drinks.

The NYRA (National Youths Rights Association) Take on Alcohol

NYRA Analysis Consuming alcohol, by minors is seen as a forbidden fruit. With proper education and introduction to alcohol, alcohol abuse can be cut back. The NYRA or National Youth Rights Association believes current alcohol policies are ineffective and unjust and adapting foreign policies will prove to be more successful. Foreign countries today have fewer alcohol related problems due to their there response and appreciation for the "neutral substance" where as youths in the United States see alcohol consumption as a forbidden fruit and binge drinking has become part of our society.(NYRA) Looking at European countries, "Italians, Jews, Portuguese, Greeks, Spaniards…, in there long experience…, these groups typically consume alcohol on a regular daily basis [and yet] have fewer drinking problems.(NYRA) Theses countries generally provide a "safe protective environment" and teach youths to see alcohol as a "neutral substance" and "how to drink in moderation" by allowing consumption at lower ages.(NYRA) With our policies, a main issue the NYRA brings up is the lack to communication, knowledge, and controlled environments that can teach youths how to consume alcohol in moderation. Our society sees alcohol as a negative beverage and therefore enforces strict laws on consumption. In "reducing the forbidden fruit phenomena, [Europeans] view abstaining from alcohol and drinking in moderation to be two equally acceptable choices", decreasing the impact of alcohol consumption on youths.(NYRA) In our society, "current law and policy dictates that alcohol is an inherently evil substance and only total abstinence from alcohol can be preached".(NYRA) Parents nation wide see the problem surrounding alcohol and there children and have tried to decrease the alcohol abuse and binge drinking at parties by hosting supervised parties and allowing alcohol under the condition, "…no one leaves the house till sober and no one drives home".(NYRA) This concept has shown effective but becomes dangerous for the parents hosting such parties. In the saying, no good deed goes unpunished, these parents undergo government and "Youth Prohibitionist attacks".(NYRA) Currently as our nation denies youths alcohol, alcohol is seen more as a forbidden fruit and consumption by these youths is more enticing. The laws and policies are government provides are producing negative effect on youths. The stricter the laws, the more youths seek it. Alcohol consumption should be seen as a neutral substance and a healthy activity, an activity like any other activity, "one [that] must be learned".(NYRA) Relating alcohol to economics, in general economics as the supply of one product goes down the demand goes up. If alcohol is limited or supply is decreasing, the demand from those who can't get it increases, so as youths find ways of getting alcohol the consumption of alcohol in youths will increase. Like in many other cases, teens and youths that are restricted from certain things are given more incentive in finding alternative ways of getting what there forbidden to. But if teens and youths were allowed alcohol at lower ages, consumption in moderation can be taught by parents and practiced in safe environments with supervision. Looking on the bright side, not only will reducing the consumption age increase supervised drinking and teach consumption in moderation, the economy will benefit from changes in demand. As the world progresses over time, technology and way of thinking have become more complex. Parents now that try to provide a safe environment for drinking can be arrested where back in the day they got a slap on the wrist. Because of our modern way of thinking, current laws and policies, our government provides no full proof structure for youths to learn the proper knowledge and environment for alcoholic consumption. When comparing alcohol to driving, think of the age requirements and the process people go through before allowed the privileges. Looking at driving, underage drivers or people without a driver license are allowed to drive on private property where no legal action can be taken. Driving on local and governmental land, one must acquire a license. To get a drivers license, a person must be 16 years of age, have a permit for 6 months, driven 200 hours under supervision, and take a written test. As a suggested option, driving lessons and classes are available. Looking at alcohol consumption, the consumption age is 21. Youths consuming alcohol off and on government property can lead to a citation. No classes are suggested before the legal consumption age, no sort of permits are given, and no form of consumption under supervision is allowed. "Rather than a gradual introduction to drinking over the period of several years the current attitude towards youth drinking says that a person shouldn't have a drop of alcohol until their 21 st birthday, and at that time it is perfectly fine to consume [high quantities of liquor]. This is like preventing someone from learning how to drive and then handing them the keys on their 16th birthday with instructions to have fun. This policy is dangerous and unrealistic".(NYRA) There are situations were alcohol can be misused and abused, although true with other products. Anything misused or consumed at high quantities is harmful to the body but overall, the consumption of alcohol in general is natural and non-harmful. The National Youth Rights Association is not saying drinking is good for all people of all ages but that our policies are ineffective and should be "based on education, toleration, and a message or responsible, moderate use" as shown positive in other countries around the world.(NYRA) Our nation continues to grow and adapt to new changes. Changing our policies and the alcohol consumption age may be dramatic at first but in the long run will prove to be effective.

Sites http://www.youthrights.org/dasolutions.shtml http://www.lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/files/policies/esc43.pdf http://www.nclabor.com/wh/yep.htm

[edit]Bibliography 1. Engs, Ruth C. “Why the drinking age should be lowered: An opinion based upon research.” Indiana university. 1998. University of Indiana. http://www.indiana.edu/~engs/articles/cqoped.html

2. United States. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and SAMHSA’S National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. Youth and Underage Drinking: An Overview. July 1999. 16 Nov. 2005 <http://www.health.org/govpubs/rpo990>.

3. AMA. 2004. Reducing Underage Drinking- A Collective Responsibility. 16 Nov. 2005 <http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/388/iom_fact_sheet.pdf>.

4. Wechsler, Henry. “College Alcohol Study”. 2003. Perception and Reality: A National Evaluation of Social Norms Marketing Interventions to Reduce College Student’s Heavy Alcohol Use. 16 Nov. 2005 <http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/cas/Documents/social_norms/>.

5. Wilsnack, Sharon C., Richard W. Wilsnack. “International Gender and Alcohol Research: Recent Findings and Future Directions.” 2002. 16 Nov. 2005. <http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CXH/is_4_26/ai_106731270>

6. Palicz, Alex Koroknay. “National Youth Rights Association”. Legislative Analysis of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act. 16 Nov. 2005. <http://www.youthrights.org/legana.shtml>.

7. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (U.S.). “Underage Drinking: A Major Public Health Challenge.” Alcohol Alert, No.59, 2003. 16 Nov. 2005.

8. MADD. “Youth Statistics: Stats and Resources” 16 Nov. 2005. <http://www.madd.org/stats/0,1056,1807,00.html>.