By: Abby, Fiona, Gabby, and Willa

Look for the Facts Since the U.S. first created a legal drinking age many people have been trying to change and break the law. Studies have shown that with the minimum legal drinking age (MLAD) set at 21, teens are more likely to break that law. The U.S. has recently been debating weather or not they should lower the MLDA. The people who support this possible change have found that the law has not stopped teens from drinking, but has pushed more teens to drink underage. The people who oppose this possible law change bring up the fact that teens are not yet mature enough to handle their alcohol responsibly. While all 50 states have the same law on underage drinking, there are no rules on whether it is allowed to be consumed at home with adult supervision. One of the main arguments for providing alcohol to teens is to ensure the use of alcohol in a safe environment. However, there have been many cases of injury at parties when adults have supplied the alcohol. Since 1984 the MLDA was set at 21 to ensure that teens would be safe from the harm alcohol can cause. This law has been proved ineffective by the amount of DUI and drunk driving accidents a year. In addition to teens finding a way around the MLDA, states have created laws that allow them to find a way around the MLDA. The consumption of alcohol by teens under the age of 21 is generally illegal across the United States. However, 40 states have set laws that allow underage drinking of alcohol under certain circumstances. For example, underage drinking is allowed in 29 states when done on private property with parental consent, 25 states allow it for religious purposes, and 7 states allow it for educational purposes.

The possibilities  One possibility I could make in this situation is to avoid underage drinking. Another possibility is to follow the crowd and drink underage.

What are the Consequences  Some of the short-term consequences that would become of not drinking would be being sober. The long term consequence would be staying true to my faith by doing what is morally and ethically right.- Some of the short-term consequences for drinking would be the affects of alcohol, depending on how much the person drank. If the person drank a large amount of alcohol and became drunk, the effects could be severe. For example, vomiting, fatigue, and hangovers. Some long-term consequences include knowing that you have gone against the law and what is morally and ethically right. Also, if you're parents know you were drinking you may have lost their trust, or respect.

How should I make my decision  Ask yourself what you think is morally and ethically right.  Do what you feel is right, and do not just follow the crowd.

What would your parents advise you to do?  Do not drink under pier-pressure.  If we do drink, drink with their permission and their presence like the Illinois law states.  Do not drink and drive  Do not drink hard liquor underage in general.

What would your trusted friends and community say you should do?  Drink responsibly. - Not driving and drinking - Not heavily - Be careful - Don’t get drunk - Don’t do stupid things if intoxicated  Lots of drinking accidents involve drugs as well.

Is there a legal issue involved?  Illinois Law states that a minor cannot…  Possess alcohol w/o a parent or guardian  Consume alcohol w/o a parent or guardian in a private residence  purchase under any circumstances  serve unless 18.  Host party that has alcohol

Turn Inward We have come to the conclusion that even with the law against under age drinking it is still morally and ethically wrong. Even though people find ways around the law, it is still wrong for many reasons, there are many consequences from under age drinking:  DUIs  Car Crashes  Deaths  Nausea My motives for not drinking:  Morally and ethically wrong  Guilty conscience  Consequences that come with getting in trouble from the law  Hurting your body (not good for you)  Can affect your future(possibly become and alcoholic)

How is God present in this situation?  God is present in this situation because the Bible says we walk in God's image. As Christians we have to live our lives as followers of Jesus and act in the way that we think God would want us to.

How is God with me as I discern what I should do?  Through faith and Christianity we have morals that sculpt the ways in which we act. With these Christian moral values we can think of how God would want us to act and help us pick the right path on which road we should take. Also, God will be there to help us through the peer pressure and help us to not drink.

What can I pray for as I make my decision?  When praying we can Pray for:  People to respect my opinions and decisions  Help to control myself  Help to not be peer pressured into doing something I know is wrong and be strong through the situation  Help to think of what consequences, people I will let down and the outcome of what will happen If I do drink and get caught.

Name Your Decision  We decided that a smart, moral decision to make about drinking is that teens should not drink because it can affect a person, or many people, in negative ways. Teens’ bodies can’t handle much alcohol, and too much drinking can result in serious illness or death. Consequences include drunk driving accidents, alcohol poisoning, hangovers, legal problems, and even losing your parents’ trust. It’s unrealistic to think that teens will not be tempted to drink alcoholic beverages, so we must look to God for help and support. In the end, making a decision that follows ones moral values, like staying true to yourself, will have a positive outcome.