English, Erin M., Sara B. Oswalt, and Michael D. Shutt. "College Alcohol Use Is on the Decline." Student Life. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Decreasing Use of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs on a College Campus: Exploring Potential Factors Related to Change." Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice 46 (2009): 163-182.Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 16 Oct. 2013.
This viewpoint aims to point out the reduced consumption of alcohol by young adults in the millennial generation. However, this shift has not necessarily been due to the legal age minimum for drinking being at 21, it very well may be because of the shift in social behavior that comes with a new generation of young adults entering the time in their life where many of the young adults in the previous generation started using alcohol or other substances.
This viewpoint can be useful in making the case that the age minimum for drinking has no real effect on the use of alcohol among teens. The article can help support the claim that the lesser amount of underaged drinkers is the result of a shift in social culture rather than not the result of a minimum drinking age.
I feel like this topic is perfect for an op ed especially since we're all in college so everyone who reads it can relate. I think you should list some examples of what might the reason be for the reduced consumption of alcohol and why you think your reason is more likely to be it. Alcohol consumption can mean a lot of things. You can elaborate on why college students drink alcohol in the first place. Then as you write your claim, you can include some of the examples or statistics in your op ed so that you have some data to back up what you're saying.
ReplyDeleteSince this topic of alcohol consumption can go in many different directions, you can always get straight to the point so that people won't be confused in what you're trying to say and back it up with a couple examples. You can also write about how you know that the decrease in consumption of alcohol is caused by a shift in social culture. However I don't know how you're going to prove that since there's not really any solid evidence for certain claims.
Erin M. English is the Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention coordinator at the University of Georgia; Michael D. Shutt is the assistant dean for Campus Life at Emory University; Sara B. Oswalt is an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. All very good credentials for a good source.
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