Blog 8 Assignment

Lee Mitchell’s stance on lowering the drinking age in America to 18 is an idea I thoroughly support. I feel young adults should be allowed to drink in controlled environments such as restaurants, bars, schools, and university functions. Responsible drinking could be taught through role modeling and educational programs similar to the ones we take about practicing safe sex.

As a citizen of the United States, you can drive cars, fly planes, marry, vote, pay taxes, and risk your life as a member of the armed forces; all of which are privilege or requirements given to adults. Why is there a need to postpone consuming alcohol for three more years? Unlike other countries, the U.S. treats our emerging adults as infants and gets infantile behavior as a result. If we change our attitudes towards young adults, more maturity and social responsibility would be expected of them.

Lowering the age to 18 would reduce the abuse of alcohol among young people. Studies have proven that the U.S. has the strictest youth drinking laws and yet we have the most drinking-related problems among our teenagers and young adults. Other countries around the world allow young adults to drink and scientific evidence supports those countries rarely abuse alcohol. If lowering the drinking age can improve the quality of life by reducing alcohol addiction and abuse, I hope one day our country will take the necessary steps to make 18 be the age at which you may legally consume an alcoholic beverage.

Texas Should Enforce Surveillance Cameras in Childcare Centers

With the number of working parents increasing, childcare is becoming an essential part of more households.  Being a mom of a three year it is important to me to have the ability to watch my son at his childcare facility. I have been an educator at private preschools for the past four years and have had the luxury of being in the same building as where my son attends school. Most parents do not have the assurance that I do when they leave their child to go to work.  Usually parents either wait until the end of the day and hope they see their child’s teacher before they leave or have to step away from work to make a phone call to the childcare center in order to know about their child’s day. I feel that Texas should enforce all childcare centers to have surveillance cameras in the classrooms and outside on the playgrounds.

 A video surveillance system at any childcare facility can help keep the children safe and provide parents with peace of mind. For those who don’t have a child, the feeling of leaving your “life” in the care of a stranger is the hardest thing for a parent to do. The teachers at childcare centers play a huge role when they have children 8+ hours a day.  The center becomes a second home to your child. When a child comes home with a scratch that’s unexplained or a diaper that hasn’t been changed in hours, it is natural for a parent to think the worst.

 On another hand, having surveillance cameras in the classroom is an asset to teachers. It provides protection to the caregivers in the event of any negative accusations. Having cameras in the classrooms and letting the parents have access to them daily via a secure webpage will help keep the children safe, provides peace of mind to parents, and provides evidence for any incidents or accusations that may occur.