You and the law

Target age group: 14-16 year-olds (This Worksheet is the same as Worksheet 1 for 11-14s.)

Preparation: Download worksheet 1.

Structure: Depending on the ability of the students, they might complete activity 1 and either 2 or 3 in one lesson. 2 and 3 could be used for homework activities.

Objectives
To help students understand:

• the law as it affects them
• why laws exist
• what might happen in the absence of laws
• that problems with alcohol can occur even if the law isn't broken
• personal responsibility.

Activity 1
Before being given the worksheet, students could be asked to state what they think the laws states about:

• drinking alcohol in pubs and bars
• buying alcohol in shops and supermarkets
• whether or not parents can give children alcohol.

Activities 2 and 3
One activity is about two boys and the other about two girls - students could choose which one to explore. The questions are similar in some instances but raise different issues, which often affect one sex more than the other.

Activity 2 Question 1
The police may consider Simon to be drunk in the street for which he could be arrested. However, they haven't purchased alcohol under age, even if they shouldn't have taken it from Simon's parents.

Activity 3 Question 1
The girls have purchased alcohol in a pub under the age of 18, which is illegal. There are no right answers for most of the other questions. Therefore this is ideal for group work so students can work out what they think are the best responses and share them with other groups.