The start of alcohol production dates back to 6000 B.C. in the Middle East; where grapevines were first cultivated for the manufacturing of wine. By 800 B.C., the first “drunks” were identified in Plato’s works (“History of Alcohol”, n.d.). However, it wasn’t until the 1600’s where alcohol abuse was first spotted (“History of Alcohol”), and it has only worsened since then. Today, alcohol is the most commonly used drug in Canada; as a result, it is considered to be one of the most harmful drugs (Herie & Skinner, 2010, p.18). Since alcohol is embedded into our culture so seamlessly, almost all creative media portray it.…
I consider that this is a critical approach to start a book. The chapters help one in understanding the history of drinking in the country, as well as, the effects on the people and society. Additionally, the first chapters discuss the volumes of alcohol consumed by the Americans at the time. The author explains that even the Founding Fathers played a role in catalyzing the habit among the citizens. Some either drank or owned a brewery (Rorabaugh 8).…
The Drunkard’s Progress, as seen on the chart in Document 4, is a way to show the positives of the democratic belief that alcoholism isn’t acceptable for anyone. It shows that too many glasses of liquor will lead you to the grave, and real successful men do not consume any alcoholic beverages. This ideal was expanded by the American Temperance Society, which banned liquor, and was very popular throughout the…
Pouring an alcoholic beverage for every occasion became something that just was for the booze guzzling warm bodies that made up our country. Going to the salon after a long day’s work to ease the stress. You didn’t have to go far as there was one saloon for every 150 to 200 Americans, and that included those that didn’t take part in the festivities as well (in text citation here Ohio State) Behaviors change under the influence of the soothing liquid, and this brought curiosity to the eyes of those who watched it’s effects. This curiosity became a state…
In her article “Lowering the Drinking Age Has Serious Consequences,” Tara Watson, an associate professor of economics and chairwoman of the Program in Public Health at Williams College, argues that if the drinking age were to be lowered, the consequences would be severe and even fatal. Although Watson presents a good argument, there are many flaws that come with it. I disagree with her article, not for the sole purpose of myself being a minor, but because there are legitimate reasons as to why the drinking age should be lowered. Her argument is heavily biased and relies solely on the current negative impacts of underage drinking. Watson argues that “Alcohol consumption by young adults has demonstrable and serious costs: for example, a lower…
Will Fulton, a journalist for the Huffington Post newspaper, argues that at the age of eighteen anyone should have the right to drink, if they want to. Fulton addresses that at the age of eighteen in the United States you are able to vote, pay taxes, own a gun, go off to war, get married and become a legal parent, etc., but are not able to take a sip of a beer. The article is aimed at the people in the United States who believe the drinking age should not be lowered back to eighteen. He uses Europe as an example to show that having a low drinking age does not lead to “destruction”, rather it helps to teach the younger kids discipline when it comes to drinking. His purpose is to try to convince the people that lowering the drinking age and teaching…
Most people have a confused idea of alcoholism as a disease that invades or attacks your good health. Use of such a strong word such as "disease" shapes the values and attitudes of society towards alcoholics.…
In the 1800s, alcoholism and excessive drinking among men became a large issue that had to be resolved. The Temperance Movement began to because men would arrive to their home drunk and disrupt households, women, and children. Children were affected by their father’s drinking habits and women gathered…
They compare other countries such as Europe, who’s drinking age is eighteen, with the United States and conclude that the current legal drinking age causes rebellious behavior. To many, this behavior could be prevented by legally allowing younger people to drink. Society believes that if the drinking age were to be lowered to eighteen, those who drink before the legal age of twenty-one will not be compelled to consume alcohol in private which will lead to less binge drinking. However, these opinions are not supported by facts.…
F. Scott Fitzgerald portrays how the old money of America is directly associated with alcohol and how the upper class society became lost in its own drunkenness. The Temperance Movement created by the upper class, strategically…
The term alcoholism has been misused over the years as a vague, poorly understood and most often morally flavoured term. In various media outlets such as film, music and television, alcohol is often associated with success, physical attractiveness, romance, and sociability. Very often, the media sidesteps negative repercussions of substance abuse. This can influence individuals to have a stronger desire to drink as they have an attitude towards alcohol that is more favourable. As a result, alcoholism has been ranked as the most harmful drug compared to others (Nutt 2012).…
In 1932, Europe encountered a huge chaos due to the Great Depression originated from America. Homeless people were everywhere and middle classes were facing bankruptcy. Governments’ power were declining; therefore, people sought for a more competent government. A 38-year old British man, Aldous Huxley, was worried. Inspired by the invention of the first Ford Car, he thought such government would rule with a high-tech method instead of military to save countries from corrupting.…
This time period lasted from the years 1920-1933. The idea behind this amendment to the constitution was to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed in the United States (Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History 1066). The government viewed the amount of alcohol being consumed as a “bad temptation”, so they came to a decision to ban it altogether (Novels 75). The National Prohibition Party felt alcohol was a negative influence on family life and personal life also (Novels 73). This is because of alcohol’s affect on the brain and the way it impairs judgement and decisions made after the consumption of alcohol.…
Cody Smith Ryan Scariano English 101 November 1, 2014 Minimum Legal Drinking Age There are many things that factor into what the people of today’s society think the Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) should be. This research paper is going to, first, give a little background on alcohol and what has happened in the past. It will then continue to provide evidence from either side of the argument as to whether or not the MLDA should be lowered or kept the same. I believe the minimum legal drinking age should be lowered to eighteen.…
Every year thousands of people consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Alcohol is one of the leading causes of life threatening diseases. Alcohol is shown to be good and that it helps make you happy or helps you have a better time; however, alcohol is a slow poison to the body and the mind. Therefore alcohol should be banned because it influences people to make bad decisions, leads to binge drinking and lastly it is a big health hazard. Firstly, alcohol should be banned because it influences people to get into situations where they do not like to be.…