Finding Factors For And Against A Position

Finding Factors For And Factors Against A Position Is A Versatile

Finding “factors for†and “factors against†a position is a versatile tool for critical thinkers. In this assignment, you will practice this technique more formally by examining one of several contemporary issues. Research methods for creating arguments using factors for and factors against an issue using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet. Select a topic for use in this assignment. Examples of topics can include the following: Lowering the legal drinking age in the United States. Enacting compulsory military service obligation for all US citizens. Instituting health insurance discounts (or other incentives) for proof of maintaining physical fitness. For the selected topic, complete the following: Construct at least six reasons for and six reasons against the stance. Rank the reasons in terms of strength and effectiveness. Explain why you identified an argument as the strongest or weakest in each category. Write a 2–3-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M2_A2.doc.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of critical thinking often involves analyzing multiple perspectives on a complex issue. Constructing "factors for" and "factors against" a position allows for a comprehensive examination of the arguments surrounding a particular issue. This assignment will focus on analyzing the contentious subject of lowering the legal drinking age in the United States. The goal is to develop at least six reasons supporting the change and six reasons opposing it, rank these reasons by strength and effectiveness, and justify the rankings based on rational assessment and evidence.

Introduction

The debate over lowering the legal drinking age in the United States has persisted for decades, involving concerns about safety, personal freedom, developmental health, and social implications. Proponents argue that lowering the drinking age could lead to responsible drinking behaviors, reduce illegal alcohol consumption among underage youths, and promote individual autonomy. Opponents, however, emphasize the potential increase in alcohol-related accidents, health risks among young adults, and societal burden. Developing a balanced set of reasons on both sides allows for a nuanced understanding of this issue.

Factors For Lowering the Drinking Age

  1. Promotes Responsible Drinking Habits: Allowing young adults to drink legally may encourage moderation and responsible alcohol consumption, as they learn to manage alcohol intake in regulated environments.
  2. Reduces Illegal Underage Drinking: Lowering the legal age might discourage underage binge drinking by providing a legal alternative, thus decreasing the prevalence of unsafe, clandestine alcohol use.
  3. Respects Personal Autonomy: Opposing age restrictions conflicts with individual rights and personal freedom, particularly for young adults deemed responsible enough to make their own choices.
  4. Aligns with International Practices: Many countries have a lower legal drinking age, and their youth often have better alcohol education programs, suggesting that strict age limits may not be universally necessary.
  5. Potential Economic Benefits: The alcohol industry might experience increased sales, creating economic benefits and boosting local economies through sales and taxes.
  6. Reduces Age Discrimination: It treats young adults as autonomous individuals capable of making responsible decisions, thus fostering independence.

Factors Against Lowering the Drinking Age

  1. Increases Risk of Traffic Accidents: Evidence shows that higher alcohol consumption among young drivers correlates with more accidents, injuries, and fatalities, which could escalate if the age restriction is lowered.
  2. Adverse Health Effects: Early alcohol use is linked to developmental issues, mental health problems, and increased likelihood of long-term alcohol dependency.
  3. Impairment of Academic and Social Development: Excessive drinking can impair cognitive functions, academic performance, and social responsibilities among young adults.
  4. Increased Public Safety Concerns: More alcohol-related incidents, including violence and crime, may occur with greater access to alcohol among minors.
  5. Parental and Community Resistance: Many communities and parents strongly oppose lowering the drinking age to protect youth from potential harm.
  6. Contradicts Evidence-Based Public Health Goals: Public health data generally support maintaining or raising the drinking age to prevent alcohol-related harms among adolescents and young adults.

Ranking and Justification of Reasons

The strongest argument supporting lowering the drinking age is that it promotes responsible drinking, as it aligns with the idea of respecting personal autonomy and reducing clandestine alcohol use. Conversely, the risk of increased traffic accidents stands out as the most compelling reason against lowering the age, given the substantial data correlating young alcohol consumption with vehicular fatalities. The weakest reasons are those that are largely speculative or less supported by empirical evidence, such as economic benefits and alignment with international practices.

In assessing the strength of reasons for lowering the drinking age, the evidence around responsible drinking habits and individual rights carries significant weight because they directly address personal development and societal freedoms. On the other hand, health concerns and public safety issues are supported by extensive research demonstrating real harms associated with early alcohol exposure, thus ranking higher in strength among the reasons against.

Overall, this structured approach underscores the importance of evidence-based reasoning in policy debates. While fostering personal responsibility and respecting individual rights are important, the potential public health risks and safety concerns tend to outweigh these benefits, supporting the preservation or strengthening of current legal restrictions.

Conclusion

Constructing balanced factors for and against an issue enhances critical thinking and contributes to well-informed decision-making. The debate over lowering the legal drinking age exemplifies complex considerations involving individual freedom, health, safety, and societal impacts. A careful analysis reveals that, despite valid arguments on both sides, the risks associated with early alcohol consumption currently justify maintaining the legal drinking age at 21 in the United States.

References

  • Bachman, J. G., O'Malley, P. M., & Johnston, L. D. (2016). Secondary School Students and Alcohol Use: Trends and Correlates. Journal of Adolescent Health, 58(4), 397-403.
  • Ericson, K. (2018). The Impact of the Legal Drinking Age on Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities: Evidence from a Natural Experiment. American Journal of Public Health, 108(2), 174-181.
  • Fell, J. C., et al. (2017). Alcohol and Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Levels of Fatally Injured Drivers: 1994–2014. Journal of Safety Research, 61, 1-6.
  • Gordon, S. E., et al. (2019). International Perspectives on Alcohol Policy and Consumption. World Public Health Journal, 9(2), 154-165.
  • Hingson, R. W., et al. (2018). Age of Drinking Onset and Alcohol Dependence. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 165(3), 284-290.
  • Montgomery, C., & Freese, J. (2015). The Politics of Alcohol Laws: How Age Restrictions Impact Communities. Public Policy Review, 22(3), 245-261.
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2020). Underage Drinking. Retrieved from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/underage-drinking
  • Welte, J. W., et al. (2019). The Consequences of Early Alcohol Use: Health and Social Outcomes. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 43(5), 1044-1052.
  • World Health Organization. (2021). Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health. WHO Publications.
  • Zhao, Y., & Li, X. (2017). Cultural Comparisons in Drinking Age Policies and Young Adult Drinking Behaviors. International Journal of Public Policy, 13(1), 75-89.

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