A common argument among teens is over the drinking age. People are across the board on this issue: some want the age down to 16 or 18, others for it to remain the same, and to a more extreme a scarce number of teens even argue for the age to be increased. But regardless of what a law says in Washington, a number alone won't fix alcohol related crime and and death. The perception of a nation is what can end a epidemic of binge drinking and alcohol-related crime across the United States.
Across the pond throughout Europe, especially in nations such as France, Italy, and Germany, alcohol is not demonized the way it is here. Teenagers and adolescents experience beverages such as wine and beer commonly enough with the confines of their family. With such contact early on in a person's life, and with added guidance from their (hopefully) more responsible parents, alcohol instead becomes something more close to water or juice, rather than a partying necessity with a sole purpose of getting one wasted or smashed. Though binge drinking is not entirely non-existent for European youth, it is more so for controlled enjoyment and pleasure.
Back in the States, alcohol is one of the greatest murderers our society has to face. Highly revered by rebellious teens and adolescents, alcoholism is a derision of our society. It is common to hear reports of a drunken high schooler or university student throw their future future away with some sort of hazing or any other foolish activity. If American parents were to take a more liberal stance, instead teaching about an enjoyable pleasure to be taken sparingly, rather than treating alcohol as a sinful vice. For when dealing with firebrand youth, many would enjoy annoying their seemingly "old-school" parents with the worse things possible: alcohol, drugs, shock rock, and sex. If alcohol is responsibly demoted from a partying vice, we could all save another ruckus or two from happening.
Across the pond throughout Europe, especially in nations such as France, Italy, and Germany, alcohol is not demonized the way it is here. Teenagers and adolescents experience beverages such as wine and beer commonly enough with the confines of their family. With such contact early on in a person's life, and with added guidance from their (hopefully) more responsible parents, alcohol instead becomes something more close to water or juice, rather than a partying necessity with a sole purpose of getting one wasted or smashed. Though binge drinking is not entirely non-existent for European youth, it is more so for controlled enjoyment and pleasure.
Back in the States, alcohol is one of the greatest murderers our society has to face. Highly revered by rebellious teens and adolescents, alcoholism is a derision of our society. It is common to hear reports of a drunken high schooler or university student throw their future future away with some sort of hazing or any other foolish activity. If American parents were to take a more liberal stance, instead teaching about an enjoyable pleasure to be taken sparingly, rather than treating alcohol as a sinful vice. For when dealing with firebrand youth, many would enjoy annoying their seemingly "old-school" parents with the worse things possible: alcohol, drugs, shock rock, and sex. If alcohol is responsibly demoted from a partying vice, we could all save another ruckus or two from happening.
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