Mary+Lou+Martinez

= CHEERS to Being Eighteen =

//Mary Lou Martinez is a senior at Eldorado High School. She is involved in extracurricular activities in school. Mary Lou is a strong believer in standing up for what is good for the people as a whole.//

February 12, 2013

As teens get closer to becoming eighteen-year-olds, they are somewhat excited because of the privileges that come with the age. They've already been allowed to drive for two years and have been seeing Rated R movies for the past year. There are many things that an eighteen year-old is allowed to do. For instance, they are now allowed to buy cigarettes, move out, go to clubs, and join the military. There is one issue eighteen-year-olds have They are NOT allowed to drink yet. While some people might think that lowering the drinking age to eighteen would be insane, it would make sense. In other countries where the drinking age is 18 or lower, such as Canada, fatalities due to drinking have decreased. Underage drinking isn't as big of a problem in these countries because drinking is allowed earlier. Teens in the U.S. feel that because they have to wait until they are twenty-one, they may as well do it now whether they get caught or not. Telling someone not to do something is just going to make them want to do it more. If the drinking age were lowered, fewer teens would be tempted to do it. It’s kind of like teenagers and dating. The more parents tell a young girl not to date a boy, the more they rebel to do it. Then when the parents say it’s okay to go ahead and date that boy, the girl no longer wants him. She wants someone else. Lowering the drinking age wouldn't just solve underage drinking. Fewer adults would be charged with contributing to minors. It’s hard for college students who are twenty-one to avoid this. They aren't going to sit there and ask every person who enters their house if they are twenty one. If the drinking age were eighteen, it would ensure that fewer parties resulted in minors being arrested for drinking, and fewer adults being arrested for contributing to minors. It makes no sense that an eighteen-year-old is allowed to go to clubs or to war before they are allowed to drink. The United States needs to face the facts. The drinking age should be lowered. Eighteen year olds drink illegally all the time anyways. Hello that’s why college is so fun, right?

= = Alejandro Dominguez, [|EHS] student = =
 * = [[image:alejandro.jpg width="80" height="103" align="left" link="ehseaglesenglish/Alejandro Dominguez"]]If we fight for our nation when we’re 18, why can’t we have a beer? =

The drinking age should stay 21 because an eighteen year old's body is not ready to take in alcohol. = = || =18 doesn't really make a difference= = = John Paul Galan, student at EHS = =

//The drinking age should be 18 because that's the age you are consider to be an adult and you should get to do anything an adult does.// || Benjamin Martin, Senior at Eldorado High School. If we can fight a war, drive military equipment and handle weapons. Then why can't we be able to drink one beer. || =What should eighteen year old's be able to do?=
 * = [[image:_MG_5065.jpg width="80" height="103" align="left" link="ehseaglesenglish/Benjamin Martin"]]The Battle of 18 vs. 21 Drinking Age =

Kevin Solis, EHS student,future U.S. Marine

//Since we are able to fight in our wars, then should we also be able to have a few more restrictions lifted?// ||
 * =[[image:good picture for portfolio.jpg width="80" height="103" align="left" link="ehseaglesenglish/Domingo Garcia"]]Changing the Drinking Age=

[|Domingo Garcia], High School student at [|Eldorado High]

//If an Eighteen year old can drive, join the military and go clubbing, why cant they drink?// || = = =18 is the New 21!= = =

Camron Capps, dual credit and honor student at [|Eldorado High School] = =

= =

= = // Many of our youth are gaining grown up decisions at 18. If they're allowed many of these decisions, shouldn't they be allowed to drink? // = = ||