Role-Play Debate for course EngC 1015

Hi Lindsay,
I am pretty sure that my daughter Megan and you have hung out several times. I am her mother, Kayla Brenner and I noticed that you believe the drinking age should be lowered since you're responsible. I am sure your friends may be responsible, but what about the other students that would come to your Prom/Homeciming dances drunk, or graduation? Don't you think they would have the possibility to ruin a huge event under their stupidity? I am strongly fighting for the drinking age staying at 21 years of age. I know Megan and you are great girls but still don't see that it's necessary to lower the drinking age. I am in no way trying to offend you, just trying to help you see this viewpoint differently!

So Lindsay,
The drinking age should be lowered huh?

And if it is lowered, what would happen, you could get your booze and have a good time? Who would clean up the mess drunken fights and brawls leave? What would you do about a riot that started because of said brawl/fight?

Let me tell you something, when you lose a friend to alcohol, just tell me how you feel. It is a when, because it will happen if the drinking age is lowered. I realize that you drink now, but if it is legal there will be a great party, and it will most likely be nasty, and very very diruptive. Do not support this bill, it can only lead to bad things.

Lindsay-
To answer your comment we have to look at the past performance of students. There are, yes, students that learn well and put it into good use. A lot of students, however, listen, or pretend to listen, and do not apply the information to their lives. Now, we have to think about the percentage of the top notch students who would benefit from a lower drinking age by learning to be more responsible. I do not believe that the majority of students would become mature drinkers by lowering the drinking age and preaching them the ethics of drinking. Furthermore, the top notch students I was refering to earlier generally make better decisions than those near the bottom. The information we could give them in many cases would not effect them because they would make the right decisions regardless.
Parents, teachers, and other mentors could also teach teens the dangers and responsibilities of drinking without lowering the drinking age to 18. I realize the amount of high school students that drink already, but there are those who do not drink because it is against the law. Also, if the drinking age is lowered the accessibility of alcohol to minors would greatly increase. There are a lot more high school and middle school students who know people 18 years of age that are willing to buy them alcohol than 21 year olds that would do the same.
To ban it from high school may work for some, but there are many others who wouldn't abide by the rule. If it is legal for students to buy alcohol and drink it a foot off of school grounds do you think the number of students who come to school under the influence would go down?

Although you are correct that smoking is also bad for young people, drinking is especially bad for those under the age of 21. Research shows us that the human brain continues developing into a person's early twenties and that the exposure of alcohol to the developing brain can cause irreversible brain damage. I understand that there are still those under 21 that drink illegally, however, if the legal drinking age is lowered to 18, underage drinking will be a much greater problem than it already is. I urge you to change your stance on this issue.

Lindsay-
What percentage of students would you say try their hardest in school? From my experience, its not all that high. Can you honestly say that you pay attention in your classes and do everything you are taught? I know that a lot of students just listen or pretend to listen because I have been in education for over 40 years, from 1st grade to being a principal. To say how can I look at past performance is a terrible excuse is a little ignorant. The majority of decisions made in the world are based off of past trends and outcomes. What makes you believe that this time around things will be different?
How do you suggest we make teaching alcohol responsibility enjoyable? Every teacher tries to make their material fun and entertaining to learn, but how many classes would you say you enjoy? High school students are notorious for being rebelious. I don't see enough of the students actually listening and applying the knowledge given to them to make things better.
Now, you may not have known anyone who was 18 when you were in middle school and you may not know anyone that is 21 now that would buy you alcohol, but I am willing to bet one of your friends does. Many high school students are not responsible enough to understand the ramifications of buying alcohol for minors, and therefore they are more likely to buy for them. What happens when there are 18 year olds buying alcohol for their friends who may be 14 years old? If those 14 year olds get in trouble or hurt the person who bought it for them is responsible.
I have always done my best trying to enforce the rules. At times, things are out of my hands. I cannot give all of my students breathalizers, and therefore, cannot curve the problem. Even if students look up to me they are still going to make their own choices.
Principal Justice

Lindsay-
I'm not exactly sure how you can say 80% of students try their hardest. If that many students tried their "hardest" I believe the average grade would be a little higher than a C.
Faith and trust isn't very secure when your talking about something that could have a huge effect on millions of people. I would feel better about major decisions I am making if they are backed up by facts and past experience over throwing a coin in a wishing pool.
I'm not really sure where your coming from with your ideas about segration and K-12 school houses. We ended segregation because it was the suppression of an entire race that was unethical and wrong. I may be missing something but I don't see the link. And K-12 school houses?
On the issue of rebellion, I don't think I am alone when I say teenagers are often rebellious. You may not see it in the same light as the older public, and that may be because your perspective is different. I don't need to stalk everyone to see what information they are putting to good use. It is common knowledge. Everyone knows cigarettes are bad for them, they've been taught that since they were in grade school, yet the number of young smokers is rising.
Lowering the drinking age to 18 does matter. If drinking is illegal for a person they are more likely not to do it.

I know you have probably answered this for many of the other people, but I was wondering what the other students in your class were like? Are they all like you-mature? Or do some of them act immature? Even if they act immature once in awhile. How do you think immature people would act if they were drunk, completely wasted? Do you think mature adults act immature when they are drunk? What about addiction? Would it be easier for immature students to become addicted than adults? I just want you're opinion on these matters.

Hi Lindsay,
It sounds to me like you are a very responsible young woman, I am wondering, did you have open conversations with your parents about the dangers of drinking and driving and/or alcohol abuse? If not could you say why? Also I appreciate your support for this bill, it is for responsible teens such as yourself that this bill needs to be passed.
Thank you for your time,
Senator Haukos

Lindsay,

You stated that you believe that there are many things in the world that are more damaging to the human body than alcohol. This may be quite true, however alcohol is the most widely used "drug" so therefore its use is something that needs to be paid a great deal of attention to. Consider the fact that a higher percentage of people aged 12 to 20 drink alcohol than smoke cigarrettes. I urge you to consider this fact when you think that drinking is not harmful simply because there are other more harmful things in the world.

Sincerely,
Dr. Deale

Lindsay,
I am glad to here that you had mature discussions about the consequences of consuming alcohol. I really do feel that the bill will allow for more conversations like these between other parents and their young adults. Be sure to strongly consider Parag Shah for the other Senate position. I feel that he would be an excellent senator and would support this bill. Your vote for Mr. Shah would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, Senator Haukos