Layout for Position Paper

Layout for Position Paper

Introduction:

Topic-Parents Involvement in Teen Drinking and Drug Use
Purpose- To persuade readers (who are not sure whether or not to allow their teens to drink) that it is not a good idea.
Claim or Thesis- Parents who allow their teens to drink or use drugs can increase the chances of their teen becoming an alcoholic/addict, thus contributing to a lifetime of addiction, misery and even death.

Summary of Opponents Position: Providing supervision and a safe place for teens to drink can prevent drinking and driving, drug use, rape and overdose.

·         Thousands of teens die every year in drinking and driving related accidents because they have been told drinking is against the rules. If they have a safe place to drink, where they are not allowed to leave, lives could be saved.

·         It is inevitable that most teens will drink, regardless of what their parents say or what they’ve heard about the risks. Therefore, providing a safe environment is crucial.

·         Allowing a teen to drink instead of being rigid may limit the teen’s rebellion and prevent them from hiding the amount they use so that a problem may be detected early.

Limitations of Opponents Position:

·         Only for so long will a parent be able to provide a safe environment for their teen to drink. Once they move out, who will keep them from drinking and driving, using drugs, being raped and overdosing then?

·         Most teens that party do so often and do not want parental supervision. Therefore, it is illogical to think that a parent will be there to supervise and eliminate their child’s risk at all times.

·         Teen alcohol use can cause problems in the still developing brain, and parents who allow drinking are not preventing this.

·         Not all teens drink merely for fun, it is important to find out the underlying reason to make sure there are not more significant issues to deal with.

·         It is against the law, and allowing other teens to drink in your home could create major problems for you, the teens and their parents.

My Understanding of the Issue:

·         The younger a person starts drinking the higher the chance he/she will develop a problem.

·         Because alcohol is legal people tend to justify drinking and deny the significance and multitude of problems created by drinking.

·         Drinking is a gateway drug, and supporting it could be starting a teen down an even deadlier path.

·         Thousands of people die and suffer extreme consequences due to drinking and drug addiction every year.

·         Parents should not support their child in something that could eventually kill them.

·         Parents who drink/use drugs with teens are often not maintaining appropriate boundaries nor are they being role models for their kids. I believe this is neglectful.

Reasons Why My Understanding is Better than Opponent’s Understanding: Holding firm boundaries while maintaining a close, supportive relationship and educating about the risks involved with drinking/using drugs will offer more long term protection to teens than allowing and trying to monitor their use.

·         1 in 8 people in America suffer a significant problem with alcohol or drugs. Therefore, teaching teens not to play with fire in the first place appears a better solution than “trying” to control the fire.  

·         Too many people die from alcoholism. No one can predict who will become an alcoholic, so parents should not take the risk of allowing their teen to drink.

·          Children learn what they live. If they live with drinking or drug use, if it is allowed, they’ll be more likely to drink or use drugs.

·         Regardless of how afraid a parent is, by holding firm boundaries, loving them and refusing to enable them in doing something destructive is the only way they can truly help them.

·         Parents can still protect their kids without supporting their drinking by letting them know that regardless of their choices they will always love them and will be available for them if they ever need help.  

Conclusion: Allowing teens to drink or use drugs is a very serious risk. The earlier they use, the greater the chances of the teen becoming an alcoholic/addict. Regardless of the parent’s intention, if a parent enables his or her child to use alcohol or drugs he/she may mistakenly be paving a straight path for the child into addiction, jail and even death.