http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/05/28/do-we-need-to-redefine-adulthood/let-them-drink-at-18-with-a-learners-permit
This article is a bit on the old side but a recent conversation I had with my older brother got me thinking about this topic.
John M. McCardell Jr.'s article "Let Them Drink at 18, With a Learner's Permit," is about how we should prepare young adults on making responsible decisions about alcohol in a similar fashion as in preparation to drive a motor vehicle - with a learners permit.
Right from the start McCardell captures the readers attention - one does not even have to begin reading the article. His title offers readers that thought provoking curiosity of what the article will be about (but isn't that what a title is supposed to do?) McCardell does not stop at the title he keeps the readers attention throughout his article as we find out his plan of attack to use learners permits to help transition young adults into alcohol. He goes on to demonstrate his knowledge on this issue with supportive information. He accomplishes this through his confusion (may not be the proper word I am looking for) of the alcohol law, "Although our laws acknowledge that at age 18 young adults possess sufficient maturity and judgement to operate a motor vehicle, serve in the military, perform jury duty or sign a contract, those same laws deny 18-year-olds the right to purchase, posses or consume alcohol. Which is where the conversation of my brother and mine come into play. My older brother is just as confused about how once someone turns the age of 18 they are able to fight for our country, but not able to drink. McCardell also backs up his knowledge on the issue with some "stats" on how "alcohol-related fatalities have declined drastically" along with some other alcohol related history.
I would agree with McCardell's stance on this issue all the way until the learners permit idea. I might be lost at his reasoning to have young adults run around with a permit to attain alcohol - surely would be a funny sight to see.
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