Analysis of a Writing Situation - "Is Underage Drinking Ever OK?"

The articles “Is underage drinking ever OK?” by Allison Gilbert talks about underage drinking in society today. The article explains the pros and cons of underage drinking and whether or not it is acceptable for parents to allow their children to drink before the age of twenty-one. Some argue that this helps teens to know their limits and drink more responsibly, while others disagree saying that any underage drinking should not be tolerated. Some parents allow their children to drink in the home as they become more mature. This can be seen as a good and bad thing depending on how one looks at the situation. On one hand, this allows for safer drinking habits to be adopted, while on the other hand, underage drinking is still illegal and for many it is considered unsafe. The article wrestles with these ideas to try and find an answer.

The purpose of the article is essentially to discouraging underage drinking, while still begging the question of whether it should be allowed or not. The article weighs the pros and cons, and does not actually reveal the author’s true feeling on the issue. Gilbert  most likely is against underage drinking and does not want to encourage teens to drink, but she may be one of the few who think drinking in the home is okay. The article was written with parents in mind. If parents were to read this article they would question how they parent their children on the subject of drinking. Another purpose is to encourage people to think about this issue; which is better, to drink so much to the point of blacking out? Or to know ones limits and know how alcohol effects ones body?

In the article “Is underage drinking ever OK?” a parent who allows his eighteen year old son to drink on occasion is used as a source, as well as US government agencies who disapprove of any underage drinking by using statistics and a sense of pathos when describing possible outcomes, such as fatal car crashes, of underage drinking. Parents are able to relate to the father who allows his son to drink, but are also able to see what the government wants and to remember what the laws actually are.

                      http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Franzia_drinking.jpg

            
In the world today underage drinking is almost inevitable. Drinking is seen, by teens, as a new and exciting thing that makes them an adult. The glorified view of drinking causes teens to experiment and even binge drink, which is seen at many colleges. The article points out that perhaps if parents allowed their kids to drink while still in the house there may not be such a hype to drinking alcohol. The article has a valid point, raising the question of the drinking age even helps at all. Colleges, which are known for binge drinking could be a lot safer if teens knew their limits before getting to experiment with alcohol. The age in which kids begin drinking alcohol is decreasing and this is due to the fascination associated with it. If drinking was not glorified as it is by adults, then teens would be more educated and able to make the right decisions before they engage in unsafe activities associated with alcohol.