Today in the United States, it seems as though many teenagers are finding themselves with cruel hangovers in the morning. The alcohol consumption by people under the age of 21 is very high at this point, and the government is trying to find a way to slow this down. Minnesota is one of the four states to consider lowering the drinking age to eighteen. However, one should consider the possible outcomes of this; will it actually prevent teens from binge drinking or will it only make things worse?
The only reason people are able to argue that the drinking age of 21 is too high, is because eighteen year olds can be deployed to Iraq for active duty. Their argument is, if young people can die in a war, why they are prevented from having a beer when off duty. In many minds that is a legitimate reason for young adults to be able to drink. However, taking all the dangerous situations into perspective would show how bad of a decision lowering the drinking age could be.
The main problem is how much teens already drink. The age that teens start drinking seems to be getting younger and younger. By lowering the drinking age, those young teens are going to assume it is alright to start at a younger age. Just because the legal age would be eighteen, doesn’t mean kids are going to wait a few more years to start drinking. The teens that are around the age eighteen will be more eager to binge drink, which would lead to more problems in our society.
Another scary situation that will occur if the drinking age is lowered to eighteen is the amount of people who drink and drive. Too many tragic accidents happen every year already. Innocent people walking on the street, or driving down the high way, are killed because of someone making a poor decision to drive home after drinking. If we allow eighteen year olds to legally drink, more people will be driving while intoxicated and putting others at risk. Statistics from an article state, “...the number of drunken drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes decreased by 61 percent from 1982 to 1998.” (State’s drinking age should remain 21, 2008). By keeping the drinking age at 21, many lives will be saved.
An additional fact that will arise is the amount of people who become alcoholics. Concerning the drinking age, people would start drinking at a younger age, and would drink more. This would lead to alcoholism. The maturity level from age eighteen to twenty-one is an extreme difference. Although eighteen year olds are considered adults, they are not as responsible as they should be to handle themselves while intoxicated. Making it legal for them to do so, would just make our society worse.
When one is considering what the proper drinking age should be, they should think about the possible outcomes that will happen. This will not prevent teens from the amount of alcohol they already consume; it would just give them a better reason to consume it. And as far as the young people fighting in war goes…Life just isn’t always fair.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Persuasive Essay- rough draft
Today in the United States, it seems as though many teenagers are finding themselves with nasty hangovers in the mornings. The alcohol consumption by people under the age of 21 is very high at this point, and the government is trying to find a way to slow this down. Minnesota is one of the four states to consider lowering the drinking age to eighteen. However, one should consider the possible outcomes of this; will it actually prevent teens from binge drinking or will it only make things worse?
The only reason people are able to argue that the drinking age of 21 is too high, is because eighteen year olds can be deployed to Iraq for active duty. Their argument is, if young people can die in a war, why they are prevented from having a beer when off duty. In many minds that is a legitimate reason for young adults to be able to drink. However, taking all the dangerous situations into perspective, would show how this is a bad decision.
The major problem is how much teens already drink. The age that teens start drinking seems to be getting younger and younger. By lowering the drinking age, those young teens are going to assume it is alright to start at a younger age. Just because the legal age would be eighteen, doesn’t mean kids are going to wait a few more years to start drinking. The teens that are around the age eighteen will be more eager to binge drink.
Another scary situation that will occur if the drinking age is lowered to eighteen is the amount of people who drink and drive. Too many tragic accidents happen every year already. Innocent people walking on the street, or driving down the high way, are killed because of someone making a poor decision to drive home after drinking. If we allow eighteen year olds to legally drink, more people will be driving while intoxicated and putting others at risk. Statistics from an article state, “...the number of drunken drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes decreased by 61 percent from 1982 to 1998.” (State’s drinking age should remain 21). By keeping the drinking age at 21, many lives will be saved.
An additional fact that will arise would be the people who become alcoholics. Concerning the drinking age, people would start drinking at a younger age, and would drink more. This would lead to alcoholism. The maturity level from age eighteen to twenty-one is an extreme difference. Although eighteen year olds are considered adults, they are not as responsible as they should be to handle themselves while intoxicated. Making it legal for them to do so, would just make our society worse.
When one is considering what the proper drinking age should be, they should think about the possible outcomes that will happen. This will not prevent teens from the amount of alcohol they already consume; it would just give them a better reason to consume it. And as far as the young people fighting in war goes…Life just isn’t always fair.
The only reason people are able to argue that the drinking age of 21 is too high, is because eighteen year olds can be deployed to Iraq for active duty. Their argument is, if young people can die in a war, why they are prevented from having a beer when off duty. In many minds that is a legitimate reason for young adults to be able to drink. However, taking all the dangerous situations into perspective, would show how this is a bad decision.
The major problem is how much teens already drink. The age that teens start drinking seems to be getting younger and younger. By lowering the drinking age, those young teens are going to assume it is alright to start at a younger age. Just because the legal age would be eighteen, doesn’t mean kids are going to wait a few more years to start drinking. The teens that are around the age eighteen will be more eager to binge drink.
Another scary situation that will occur if the drinking age is lowered to eighteen is the amount of people who drink and drive. Too many tragic accidents happen every year already. Innocent people walking on the street, or driving down the high way, are killed because of someone making a poor decision to drive home after drinking. If we allow eighteen year olds to legally drink, more people will be driving while intoxicated and putting others at risk. Statistics from an article state, “...the number of drunken drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes decreased by 61 percent from 1982 to 1998.” (State’s drinking age should remain 21). By keeping the drinking age at 21, many lives will be saved.
An additional fact that will arise would be the people who become alcoholics. Concerning the drinking age, people would start drinking at a younger age, and would drink more. This would lead to alcoholism. The maturity level from age eighteen to twenty-one is an extreme difference. Although eighteen year olds are considered adults, they are not as responsible as they should be to handle themselves while intoxicated. Making it legal for them to do so, would just make our society worse.
When one is considering what the proper drinking age should be, they should think about the possible outcomes that will happen. This will not prevent teens from the amount of alcohol they already consume; it would just give them a better reason to consume it. And as far as the young people fighting in war goes…Life just isn’t always fair.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Critical Thinking
When making a major decision about something that is taking place in your life, you must think critically. Just because you think about a decision does not mean you are putting much thought in it. A person can think, without even thinking. Sometimes decisions are just made by the first thing that pops into someone’s head. Critical thinking is taking time to evaluate all of your options in order to choose what is right for you.
Being a senior this year, I have realized the lack of critical thinking I have done to make a college decision. I still believe my choice of Minnesota State University Mankato is my best option and that I will love it there. However, I believe the process of choosing a college should begin during a person’s junior year of high school. This was not the case for me; I waited till second quarter of my senior year, and felt an urge to quickly pick a college. I visited three colleges and then choose Mankato. I did not think to critically about my choices. I have not looked far into the programs the different colleges provide, as I am planning to take generals my first year. I really don’t know what I would like to do for a job. If I took time and looked into some of my top options I would be able to find which major I would like to pursue. I had many quick thoughts while making my decision on college, but I now realize I should have thought more critically about this choice.
People may not like to sit down and discover all the options about a certain decision they are making, but in reality, the outcome would most likely be better. The time and effort put into the choices you are making could lead you in two different directions; either down the right path, or down the wrong path. When thinking things through, you will more then likely pick the positive outcome of a decision you are trying to make.
Being a senior this year, I have realized the lack of critical thinking I have done to make a college decision. I still believe my choice of Minnesota State University Mankato is my best option and that I will love it there. However, I believe the process of choosing a college should begin during a person’s junior year of high school. This was not the case for me; I waited till second quarter of my senior year, and felt an urge to quickly pick a college. I visited three colleges and then choose Mankato. I did not think to critically about my choices. I have not looked far into the programs the different colleges provide, as I am planning to take generals my first year. I really don’t know what I would like to do for a job. If I took time and looked into some of my top options I would be able to find which major I would like to pursue. I had many quick thoughts while making my decision on college, but I now realize I should have thought more critically about this choice.
People may not like to sit down and discover all the options about a certain decision they are making, but in reality, the outcome would most likely be better. The time and effort put into the choices you are making could lead you in two different directions; either down the right path, or down the wrong path. When thinking things through, you will more then likely pick the positive outcome of a decision you are trying to make.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Work Cited and Thesis Statement
Mitch Anderson. “Some state legislators want drinking age lowered to 18; while applauding its good intentions, critics are doubtful the House bill would help curb binge drinking by young adults.” Star Tribune April 18, 2008: page B.1. ProQuest.
Marshall High School. Marshall, MN.
May 15, 2008. <http://proquest.umi.com>.
“State’s drinking age should remain 21; lowering the age limit failed before and won’t work now.” Star Tribune April 6, 2008: page OP.4. ProQuest.
Marshall High School. Marshall, MN.
May 15, 2008. <http://proquest.umi.com>.
Suzanne Goldenberg, Washington. “US states consider lowering drinking age.” The Guardian April 18, 2008: page 19. ProQuest.
Marshall High School. Marshall, MN.
May 15, 2008. <http://proquest.umi.com>.
One should consider the possible outcomes of lowering the drinking age in Minnesota to age 18.
Marshall High School. Marshall, MN.
May 15, 2008. <http://proquest.umi.com>.
“State’s drinking age should remain 21; lowering the age limit failed before and won’t work now.” Star Tribune April 6, 2008: page OP.4. ProQuest.
Marshall High School. Marshall, MN.
May 15, 2008. <http://proquest.umi.com>.
Suzanne Goldenberg, Washington. “US states consider lowering drinking age.” The Guardian April 18, 2008: page 19. ProQuest.
Marshall High School. Marshall, MN.
May 15, 2008. <http://proquest.umi.com>.
One should consider the possible outcomes of lowering the drinking age in Minnesota to age 18.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Cause and Effect
Drinking is a big issue in the United States today. There may be many different reasons why people drink, but most of the effects are similar to each other. One of the larger issues about drinking is when people decided to drive. One may say the cause and effect of drunk driving is a negative outcome.
Drunk driving is only caused by people who decide to drink. Many people are responsible while drinking; however others who are careless may endanger lives all around them. Those who are having cocktails to enjoy themselves and socialize with family and friends are usually the ones who are responsible. They plan on having a safe ride home from wherever they are at. Otherwise they may just have a couple drinks within a few hours and be legally under the limit to drive home. That is if they are over twenty-one.
On the other hand the effect of drunk driving can scar a person for life. People who drink in order to take away their pain, or forget about a broken heart are not thinking clearly and take a big risk at hurting others. When they get behind the wheel to drive home from the bar or where ever they may be, not only is their life in danger, but the lives out on the streets are also at great risk. The effect could be a tragic lose of a loved one whom was an innocent pedestrian walking on the sidewalk.
Although many people’s cause to have a fun time is drinking, they should know what effects can come out of driving when intoxicated.
Drunk driving is only caused by people who decide to drink. Many people are responsible while drinking; however others who are careless may endanger lives all around them. Those who are having cocktails to enjoy themselves and socialize with family and friends are usually the ones who are responsible. They plan on having a safe ride home from wherever they are at. Otherwise they may just have a couple drinks within a few hours and be legally under the limit to drive home. That is if they are over twenty-one.
On the other hand the effect of drunk driving can scar a person for life. People who drink in order to take away their pain, or forget about a broken heart are not thinking clearly and take a big risk at hurting others. When they get behind the wheel to drive home from the bar or where ever they may be, not only is their life in danger, but the lives out on the streets are also at great risk. The effect could be a tragic lose of a loved one whom was an innocent pedestrian walking on the sidewalk.
Although many people’s cause to have a fun time is drinking, they should know what effects can come out of driving when intoxicated.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
On Thinking
On Thinking
“The manifestation of the wind of thought is not knowledge; it is the ability to tell right from wrong, beautiful from ugly. And this, at the rare moments when the stakes are on the table, may indeed prevent catastrophes, at least for the self.”
This quote by Hannah Arendt explains the process of one thinking to them self. If you think about it, everything that a person does involves thinking. People think without even knowing and every situation has different options to consider.
Thinking to yourself is a great thing to do when you’re alone and have a quite place to be. It can help you with tough decisions that need to be made in your future. Other times when people think it may be on the spot and they might not even relies what their brain is processing.
On the other hand, thinking by your self can lead to misleading things. When too much time is consumed thinking to yourself, you may over think situations and become paranoid.
“The manifestation of the wind of thought is not knowledge; it is the ability to tell right from wrong, beautiful from ugly. And this, at the rare moments when the stakes are on the table, may indeed prevent catastrophes, at least for the self.”
This quote by Hannah Arendt explains the process of one thinking to them self. If you think about it, everything that a person does involves thinking. People think without even knowing and every situation has different options to consider.
Thinking to yourself is a great thing to do when you’re alone and have a quite place to be. It can help you with tough decisions that need to be made in your future. Other times when people think it may be on the spot and they might not even relies what their brain is processing.
On the other hand, thinking by your self can lead to misleading things. When too much time is consumed thinking to yourself, you may over think situations and become paranoid.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Education
Education
One explanation of education is how people learn and grow into the person they are. There are many different ways people learn. When most people hear the word “education” they think of school and college. However I believe one of the best ways you can learn is not by text books and lectures, but from interacting with other people.
Whether you learn from parents, siblings, neighbors or peers, there are always lessons to be learned about life in general. I, myself, have learned many lessons from being involved with sports since I was 7 years old. My parents were my first educators, teaching me right from wrong. They are also the ones who encouraged me to join hockey. Starting when I was in second grade, they were always there to help me along the way, striving to get better. They have taught me little lessons, like time management, but every lesson adds up and has helped me become who I am today. Although I did not always appreciate their input on my life, I realize it was well worth it. My junior and senior years of high school, my hockey team made it to State, and I know I would not have been able to do it without my parents.
Along with hockey I also played volleyball and made two appearances at the State tournament. During my volleyball career I learned how important peers can be. My teammates and I would always push each other to get better. On the court we worked hard in order to achieve our goals and dreams, and our biggest dream came true as we won the State Championship game in 2007. However it was not always about volleyball, we were there to help one another out with any other problem that arose, weather it was school, family, or boys. I have learned so much from just my teammates and other friends that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Friends are the people who bring out your true personality. They are the ones whom you make brainless decisions with, but have a blast doing it, and learn something new each time. Just like the guys in the movie Dead Poets Society, peers are there to teach one another about life. There are always happy times, but the sad part is that most of the big lessons are learned when something goes wrong. After the death of Neil, everyone took life into perspective a little more and it changed their way of living.
Coaches are another source of educators. They are people that you can look up to and trust. When you do not feel like going to your parents for adult advice, you can ask your coaches, because they have been around longer than peers. People may think coaches are there for teaching skills on how to improve in athletic events. However a quote from The Hidden Teacher describes this situation the best, “But the teachers are not always to be found in school or in great laboratories. Sometimes what we learn depends upon our own powers of insight.” I believe that coaches are people that help lead you onto your own path.
There are so many different ways one can learn. Education may be considered school too many, where teachers lecture and give homework in order to learn. However, for me it is living my life, where parents, relatives, peers, coaches, and even pets can teach you something that you can cherish for the rest of your life.
Work Cited
Dead Poets Society. Dir. Peter Weir. Perf. Robin Williams. DVD. Touchstone Pictures, 1989.Eiseley, Loren. The Hidden Teacher.
X, Malcom, and Alex Haley. How I Discovered Words: a Homeade Education.
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