Free Essay

Underage Drinking

In:

Submitted By mskwared
Words 1376
Pages 6
Underage Drinking

Introduction Underage drinking has long been, and continues to be, a serious public health concern. “Teen alcohol use kills more than 4700 people each year and high school students who use alcohol or other drugs are five times more likely to drop out of school” (MADD, 2014) than kids who do not. There have been years of underage drinking prevention programs to curtail the use of alcohol by those under 21 years of age and yet alcohol is the most widely used drug by adolescents in the United States (Wagoner et al. 2012). Underage drinking is a real problem in all 50 states, even though there are laws in place to prohibit anyone under 21 years of age from drinking alcohol. Parental involvement might be the missing link to decrease underage drinking for good.
Statement of the Problem
This study proposes that if parents are involved in prevention and intervention programs too, underage drinking will significantly decrease, in addition, age of onset will increase and more adolescents and young adults will abstain from alcohol use until legal age. Access to alcohol for underage drinkers comes from various sources. Many students are aware of local stores that sell alcohol to underage customers, know people who will purchase alcohol for them, and many utilize fake identification cards to purchase alcohol (Phipps, 2013). Surprisingly and sadly, a large provider of alcohol to underage partakers are parents themselves. When individuals become parents, there is an unspoken responsibility to protect their children at any cost; doing whatever is necessary. Yet, these parents are giving their children their first taste of alcohol, which has been linked to ongoing alcohol addiction in some studies. These parents have different ‘reasons’ for providing alcohol to their underage children. Some say they only provide alcohol on special occasions – while on vacation or holidays – so it is okay, there is a fear of damaging relationships with their children if they don’t, there is a belief they are teaching responsible drinking in a safe environment, and some parents admit feeling pressure from other parents to allow underage alcohol consumption. The majority of parents, even those who allow their young children to drink alcohol, report they do not condone underage drinking (Freese, et al. 2012).
The goal of this research is to get parents, whether they personally consume alcohol or not, regardless of how they might personally feel about alcohol, to accept and subscribe to the importance of underage children abstaining from alcohol consumption. This study will not be successful without parents and their direction, support and commitment to assist their children in remaining abstinent from alcohol use until legal age.
“Parents, clergy, coaches, teachers, and other role models must do everything they can to influence young people positively – including talking with them early and often about the many health dangers underage drinking poses to their physical and emotional health and well-being” (Anonymous, 2011).
To be successful in this endeavor, it must be seen as a community effort, with parents taking the lead towards long-term change.
Literature Review An article by Jadranka Zimic and Vlado Jukic discusses the impact familial risk factors have on the age of onset of alcohol or drug addiction. These risk factors include absence of one or both parents in the home, the level of consumption of alcohol of the parents, and distant or unhealthy relationships with parents. The presence of trauma or abuse in the home is also a factor in the age at which some adolescents turn to alcohol or drugs. Obviously the more traumatic, the more alone a child feels at home, the greater the likelihood they will turn to alcohol or drugs to escape those things (2012). Another research article states that there are many factors contributing to how much underage drinkers consume. These factors include not only age, race, gender and how parents feel about alcohol consumption in general, but also on who provides the alcohol (suggesting students drink less if parents provide the beverages), whether they are drinking at home or elsewhere, whether drinking games are a part of the evening and who the social host is (Wagoner et al. 2012). Because of the growing issue of parents supplying alcohol to minors, 35 of 50 states currently have Social Host laws in effect. This means if an adult is supplying minors with alcohol in their home, they can be arrested and charged. These laws are an attempt to decrease the number of adults hosting underage parties and supplying alcohol to minors (Wagoner et al. 2012). In addition to social host laws, laws concerning restricted licenses for teens and limiting teen driving at night seem to have had an impact on underage drinking. Additionally, license suspension laws for alcohol violations are making kids think twice before they consume alcohol and drive (Hingson, 2014). Yet underage drinking remains a nationwide concern and must continue to be addressed.

Methodology
This study will use cluster sampling to get a good base of individuals and not just those from one area of a city or country. We will use five regions, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Northwest and Southwest. We will contract with 30 parents in each region (150 total) who have children ages nine to nineteen, and are willing to actively participate in a longitudinal study. The purpose of the study will be explained to everyone in a question and answer meeting.
Those who choose to participate will be interviewed and responses will be recorded and logged. Releases of information will also be signed at this time, prior to starting the study. It will be made known to everyone that if at any time they want to cease their participation – they can. Each month an education piece will be conducted for the participating parents to include a lecture, role plays, Q & A, open group discussion, and one on one interviews with a researcher. After each monthly session is completed, a ten dollar gift card to a local grocer will be issued. Inferential statistics will be used to compare the data recorded from this study and previously recorded data. Ultimately, every year there will be new and current data to compare with the prior year’s data.
Conclusion
Some consider underage drinking a ‘rite of passage’ and say it is not hurtful at all. Some believe underage drinking contributes to an increase in high school drop outs and young people with addiction to alcohol. The truth of the matter is, underage drinking remains a significant problem in each of the 50 states, even with laws in every one punishing underage alcohol consumption. Parental involvement is what is missing. Educating parents to the risks, short-term damages and long term effects of early alcohol use may be what is needed to finally encourage adolescents and young adults to abstain from alcohol and not partake in underage drinking.

References

Anonymous (2011). Underage drinking reaches new highs. (2011, 12). USA Today, 140, 10. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/913405792?accountid=32521
Freese, B., Grube, J., Moore, R., & Jennings, V., (2012). Parents’ rules about underage drinking: a qualitative study of why parents let teens drink. J. Drug Education, Vol. 42(4) 379-391, 2012 retrieved February 8, 2015 from dre.sagepub.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu
Hingson, R. (2014) More research needed on underage drinking: NIAAA. (2014). Alcoholism &
Drug Abuse Weekly, 26(5), 4. Retrieved February 8, 2015 from http://search.proquest.com
MADD (2014). Underage drinking statistics. Retrieved February 8, 2015 from http://www.madd.org/underage-drinking/underage-drinking-statistics.html
Phipps, M. (2013, Oct 15). Survey: Underage drinking a county-wide problem. McClatchy – Tribune Business News Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1441961832?accountid=32521
Wagoner, K., Francisco, V., Sparks, M., Wyrick, D., Nichols, T., & Wolfson, M., (2012) A review of social host polices focused on underage drinking parties: suggestions for future research. J Drug Education, Vol. 42(1) 99-117, 2012 retrieved February 8, 2015 from dre.sagepub.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu Zimić, J. I., & Jukić, V. (2012) Familial risk factors favoring drug addiction onset. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 44(2), 173-185 doi:10.1080/02791072.2012.685408 Retrieved February 7, 2015 from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Underage Drinking

...Underage Drinking Introduction Alcohol is the most preferred choice of drug abuse among the youth. Many young people developed the habit of taking too much alcohol at an early age. Underage drinking has lead to numerous health problems in many countries. Many families have lost their children due to excess drinking. Adolescent stage comes with an increased independence, which is linked to alcohol abuse. This study will cover the effects of underage drinking and how it is a controversial issue in the country’s development. The Controversial Issue Teenagers are constantly willing to try different things. Drinking alcohol is one of the things teenagers try to do. Underage drinking is a widespread in the contemporary world. Most of the teenagers end up abusing alcohol. Some have lost their lives due to alcohol abuse. Each year, more than 5,000 young people below 21 years of age in the U.S. die due to alcohol abuse and alcohol related cases. This is a great loss to the society. The government is compelled to set aside funds for rehabilitation centers. The U.S. law does not allow anyone below the age of 21 to drink alcohol. Dangers of Underage Drinking Underage drinking is the chief cause of death among teenagers. Many deaths among young people are due to excess drinking. Excess drinking leads to accidents, homicides, suicides, drowning and other injuries. Too much drinking can harm the brain growth. The brain continues to enlarge and mature...

Words: 595 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Underage Drinking

... Underage Drinking Alcohol has become the root of many issues in not only the United States but also around the world. There are a countless number of effects it has on your body physically, mentally, and emotionally. From all types health problems such as diseases and cancers, to the the bad decsions you make while under the influence such as drinking and driving and suicide, to the deppression and sadness it can bring. Everyone likes to go and drink to have a good time, but it has become such an abused drug that is ruining many peoples lives because they can't control it. None more than the people who drink underage. Alcohol use by people under the age of 21 is a major problem in the US. It is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth, more than tobacco and illicit drugs. Although drinking under the age of 21 is illegal, people ages 12 to 20 consume more than 11% of all alcohol in the United States each year. Underage drinking has become an epidemic, gradually getting worse every year. Alcohol is responible for the death of almost 5,000 teens each year and approximately 190,000 emergency room visits. Nearly 9 million youths, ages 12-20, report they have consumed alcohol in the past 30 days. The rate of current alcohol consumption increases with increasing age according to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 1% at age 12 to 15% at age 16 and 39% at age 20. Binge drinking is the most common pattern of excessive...

Words: 1713 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Underage Drinking

...Underage Drinking Many teens face adult problems at a very young age. Underage drinking viewed in the eyes of parents and law enforcement agencies is a major problem among teen. In today society, kids are being pressured into doing things at a very young adolescent age. Problem many parents are facing in their own life are also posing as problems on their kids. The answer teens today must make is no longer just what shoes to wear or what matches what, but the must decided on drugs. Amongst those is alcohol, which is a choice most teens make even before they are teens. I have actually talked to some people that were drinking at the age of eleven and twelve. Everybody I have met has at one time drunk alcohol before graduation. Police officers sit day and night coming up with ways to extinguish this problem, but no matter how much effort they put forth it will and has continued. People all have different views on the solution to this problem, but before we get to their thoughts and mine, I would like to ask you a question. Would you as a parent or person rather have kids drinking at a house with chaperons where they will be staying all night or driving home drunk because you do not approve of it, and enforce a curfew? As a teenage I feel I know the most on the subject, but as I have found out my parents had to make the same decision during their life, even as hard as it is to believe they did. Solutions are like excuses they come in hundreds. People today blame everything...

Words: 484 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Underage Drinking

...Underage drinking is becoming more of a noticeable problem in society, not only with high school students, but also with younger generations. Drinking is all over the television, the radio, and talked about in schools, public places, etc. Alcohol advertisements are more and more appealing to younger generations. If our youth is educated at a younger age, if school policies were stricter, and if clubs and bars cracked down on underage drinking the problem would not be as serious. Youth should be well educated about consumption of alcohol well before middle school. By the time students reach middle school they are already exposed to alcohol. D.A.R.E, the program that teaches children about alcohol and its effects, should be taught in elementary school. According to underagedrinking.samhsa.gov, over 70% of eighth graders said alcohol is easy to get 30% of children age 12-14 get alcohol from a family member. These statistics show that drinking is very popular in middle school. It seems as though these kids already know what they are doing by eighth grade, so D.A.R.E classes must be taught at an earlier age. Another reason classes should be taught earlier is from my own personal experience. High school football games should be a memorable part of their high school career. Instead of innocent cheering and fun at the games the young students show up intoxicated with the smell of alcohol on their breath. Now a day, children find it harder to enjoy things sober. To support my own personal...

Words: 851 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Underage Drinking

...Should we change the drinking age? There has been many questions on the drinking age in the United States. Why should we be able to vote and not be able to drink?, Why should we fight for our country but we cant have a drink?. Some people believe that the age we drink 21 suddenly means that we are mature enough to handle the responsibility of drinking safely. In this short essay I will give my opinions on why the drinking age should be changed or why it should not. Underage drinking is a major problem in todays time. There are countless of accidents and deaths because of underage drinking. Some are due to car accidents, suicide and even simple accidents caused from the drunken state of mind of an inexperienced young adult. I believe that underage drinking is often a reality do to the fact that it is exciting. It is the idea that it is bad that makes tennagers want to drink. I personally can say that I drank underage because it was an answer to boredom caused by a small town and not very many options. I believe that if the drinking age was lowered from 21 to 18 that for one it would cut down on the criminal side. instead of people stealing alcohol or finding a buyer they could buy it themselves. It also would be more fitting for society. I think it is embarassing that we allow a 18 year old person to die fighting for thier country, to vote for a president, and to be a responsible, working, contributing citizen, but not allow...

Words: 314 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Underage Drinking

...Underage Drinking There are a number of reasons why teenagers feel the urge to drink. Social environment, peer influence, stresses, and even reasons such as media influence associate with underage drinking. Peer pressure is a powerful predictor of alcohol use among teens. Americans have a very strong urge to be accepted and liked by their peers. Everyone wants to feel a sense of belonging. Many adolescents feel that they need to drink alcohol to gain this acceptance by the others around them. Stress is also another reason why teens may feel apt to drink alcohol. Stress causes teenagers to look for a quick escape from the problems, which they face, in their day-to-day lives. This quick escape can be found in the shape of a bottle. In the eyes of an underage drinker, alcohol is the cure to all problems, a way to forget all of stress and pressures that are facing them. They feel that it will numb their pain and continuing to use alcohol will result in maybe another problem, substance abuse. Popularity shouldn’t come along with breaking the law. Also, the cure to the problems in someone’s life isn’t breaking the law, because the affects alcohol has on the body causes a lot more issues down the road. Alcohol use is extremely common in our society. Young ones grow up watching their parents drink, at special occasions, as well as casually enjoying a few beers at a picnic. Now a day’s kids and young adults are surrounded by the use of alcohol on a daily basis. Underage...

Words: 1416 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Underage Drinking

...Underage Drinking Topic: Underage Drinking in College Settings General Purpose: To provide a solution to an ongoing problem Specific Purpose: To provide a solution to underage drinking in college settings Central Idea: To provide a solution to the audience and encourage them to make a change Introduction: I am here today to tell you about an ongoing problem that occurs on our own school campus more often than not. This is our school. These are underage students who attend our school. What happens when you add alcohol to the mix? Well, first, you get throw up. Then, you get angry administrators. I’m here today to address the issue of underage drinking on college campuses. I am also here to provide a solution to this problem that will not only make us, the student population, happy, but also provide college campuses with less disciplinary problems. Body: (Transition: First, let us take a look at the amount of underage college students consuming alcoholic beverages.) I. This graph represents the amount of students who reported getting drunk within the past two decades at the University of Michigan. A. As you can clearly see, this graph shows that anywhere from 38-48% of students have REPORTED being drunk in their college career. It does not include the students who are too afraid to admit to participating in “Thirsty Thursday” and extracurricular weekend activities. B. What the graph does also not show is how many of these students are of age, and how many are not...

Words: 1413 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Effects Of Underage Drinking

...Underage drinking Underage drinking is a significant problem in our society today. It is astonishing and disturbing that about 5.4 million people aged 12-20 engage in binge drinking each year. These young people do not understand the terrible consequences of this action on their brain, their education and their physical actions. The 2013 Youth Risk Behaviour Survey found that amongst high school students: • 10% drove after drinking alcohol • 21% binge drank • 31% drank some alcohol • 22% rode in a car with a driver who had been drinking alcohol These statistics show that teenagers are completely unaware or stupidly ignoring the devastating effects of this irresponsible action. Underage drinking on the brain Underage drinking has a...

Words: 468 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Underage Drinking Causes

...Do you know someone who began drinking before age 13 has a 45% of becoming alcohol dependent compared to only 7% change if they wait until they are 21? .Alcohol kill more young people than any drugs, Even if it does not kill them it can cause long term damage to their developing brains this can turn into an addiction. Until their early twenties the brain still growing. There are many causes of underage drinking such as peer pressure, lack of parents guidance and genetic factors. Some teenagers these days, have already drink at least three or four times before their 14 Birthday. Some of them are very good kids a home, or knows consequences about underage drink. Why they do it? some people asked if they have knowledge about underage drinking. Peer pressure, this phrase is very powerful in this new generation of young kids. Peer pressure will make you do stuff that you do not want to do it at first, but in the end you will be able to do it, but why? because you want to fit in a group and be cool like them in your mind will be fine to take a risk even if you knew you could lose everything around you....

Words: 687 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Teen Underage Drinking

...Underage drinking is an acute problem to most societies in the world. Today, teenage drinking has become a norm among young people, who in several occasions tend comply with this antisocial culture. The question is, “what is the general cause to this severe trend?”. It is unfortunate that a child, as young as 11 years is indulged to heavy drinking. The aftermath effects of such indulgence are so severe to the social and ethical set up of the society. Based on empirical research analysis, most children who engage in heavy abuse of drugs tend to be irresponsible in their social life. In addition, the menace risk subjecting the society to other forms consequences (Howard, 2010). Teenage drinking is a real problem to most societies, and necessary measures must be applied to contain its high prevalence. Consequences of teenage drinking are so instantaneous to the society, more so to the families where such children resides, and this promotes swifter actions by caregivers. Literature Review Underage drinking has attained lethal dose in most American societies, and this raises the eyebrows on the American social institutions. There are numerous research elements that have been conducted among young children, which significantly reveal to the onset of this vice. American society is the powerhouse to many antisocial behaviors among teenagers. Irresponsible act of teenage drinking has sunken the social behaviors of young people, who later become inactive citizens. Teenage drinking...

Words: 880 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Epidemic Of Underage Drinking

...and Andrea were driving in, pushing them into the path of a semi-truck. Both Eric and Andrea were killed.” “Why we’re here” October 1, 2014. Underage drinking is a worldwide epidemic that has various impacts on millions of people every day. Every day there a thousands of different cases having to deal with underage drinking, whether it is effecting the consumer emotionally or physically. Emotionally, underage drinking can bring out many different feelings. Many of the times it brings out anger which leads them to hurting themselves or hurting those around them. Physically it harms many of the human organs; the heart, pancreas, lungs, kidneys, and the brain are some to keep in mind....

Words: 550 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Teenage Underage Drinking

...alcohol is just a drink, but it is something more than that, it is a deadly drug. Underage drinking is a social activity usually undertaken by small groups of close friends, and usually away from the oversight of parents or other adults. This paper is about teen alcohol abuse and we'll discuss at what age teens begin drinking, how alcohol can affect your body, and how alcohol can lead to dying. In America teens usually have their first drink around the age of 13. Drinking at such a young age can cause family problems, school problems, and much much more. Teenagers develop drinking because due to peer pressured, they have family problems, their friends are doing it so they want to do it also, and even just because they're bored. Teens who start drinking at a young age can become addicted. Many parents allow their children to drink right in front of them. They think it's better than for them to have their teen drinking somewhere else. More than 67% of teens...

Words: 639 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Underage Drinking Research Paper

...their desire to take risks. One of these risks includes alcohol. Underage drinking is a serious health problem that is continues to grow in popularity. According to “Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services”, in 2013,the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 23% of youth aged 12 to 20 years drink alcohol and 14% reported binge drinking in the past 30 days” (Administration). Teens are very curious and would rather ignore all of the negative influences around them. An unpleasant home life, the influence of media, and peer pressure can lead to underage drinking and a damaged life. One of the main reasons for underage drinking is family influence. Family and home life plays a huge role. According...

Words: 739 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Ethics of Underage Drinking

...A Claim Against the Drinking Age in the United States of America The substance of alcohol has long been a topic of intense debate, particularly in the United States of America. In its relatively short history, the United States has had a prohibition which completely banned all alcohol distribution and consumption, as well as a drinking age which has changed over the years. Ultimately, it seems that legislative bodies in the U.S. cannot make up their minds. A big part of that indecision may stem from the fact that most amendments have been largely ineffective in culling what has been a very real, very large problem in the United States: alcohol related deaths or sicknesses. Nearly one out of every ten deaths in working class adults dies from alcohol-related incidents (10% of all deaths), making alcohol the fourth largest cause of preventable deaths in the United States. As a result of this, promoting responsible alcohol consumption and continued responsible actions once its effects take place are paramount in responding to those significant statistics. The method that seems to have been most focused on in curtailing dangerous alcohol consumption has been legally regulating who is allowed to consume it (as mentioned above: prohibition, and drinking ages). In short, alcohol consumption has been made illegal, and consequently deemed unjust, for people below certain ages. Many people have raised ethical, practical, scientific, and legal arguments surrounding...

Words: 3432 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Underage Drinking Age

...The minimum age for drinking is a very controversial issue. The issue of underage drinking effects many young Americans and their families. Many laws have forbidden the drinking if you are under the age of 21. The arguing has been going on for years. When deciding if you are with or against the change of the minimum age to drink alcohol, there are many factors that should be taken into consideration health factors, laws, and many other factors. When it comes to health factors of drinking alcohol many believe that drinking alcohol is not beneficial in any way. Alcohol can help our body in many ways. Drinking alcohol on an occasion or controlled way can reduce the chance of getting a cardiovascular disease, it can lengthen your life by about...

Words: 1749 - Pages: 7