The use of alcohol is an overpowering issue of our society. It is used in religious ceremonies, during socialization, and its presence is seen everywhere. Alcohol comes in many forms such as beer, wine, and hard liquor. Its use has been praised, denounced, accepted, and outlawed in the last century alone. Many admit that it is a problem, and how widespread and dangerous it is, but no one really wants to address the issue of alcohol and the media. The root of the underage drinking problem is the media, with its television shows, advertisements, and overall irresponsibility in portraying drinking as glamorous. The increase in underage drinking is a direct result of the media's influence on young people today.

Television shows and movies link drinking with sociability, physical attractiveness, success, romance, and adventure. They are able to do this by associating alcohol with attractive and famous

It's not just the content of the television show that influences the youth today. A large portion of a television program is its commercials. The commercials are colorful, loud, entertaining and feature super models, Hollywood stars, sport stars and rock stars. These people are role models for today's youth and today's youth look to them for direction. And with so many families using the television as a babysitter, the direction they are getting is not always good. Popular television shows aimed directly at teenagers will advocate abstinence of habit-forming substances. However, once these shows stop for commercials, those same teenagers are bombarded with advertisements for Budweiser and numerous other drinks. Teenagers are exposed to many beer and wine commercials daily. If teenagers get used to alcohol now, they most likely will continue using it when they get older.

These products are seen and worn by teenagers everyday. The constant exposure to th

Some common words found in the essay are:
Today's Youth, American Presidents, underage drinking, today's youth, alcohol advertisements, beer wine,
Approximate Word count = 655
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)