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Lowering The Drinking Age
Lowering the drinking age in the United States Alcohol is many people's drink of choice in
several different situations. Whether it is a casual get together or a crazy out of control party, it is
not hard for adolescents to get their hands on the substance even if it is illegal for them to purchase
and drink it. However, even the parents and lawmakers of the most respectful teenagers can not
ignore the growing rate of adolescents drinking earlier than 21. While it may be fun in the moment
teens miss the steps of drinking responsibility and the long–term effects of partaking in it. Even
though some lawmakers claim that lowering the drinking age would negatively affect the country,
the long term effects of individuals drinking earlier could...show more content...
On the positive side, it could be beneficial to the country because the amount of alcohol that this
age range actually consumes is borderline excessive compared to older age groups. Research
suggests that, "lowering the drinking age in the U.S could prove to be beneficial"(Mahaleris).
About 65 percent of students over the age of 18 regularly consume alcohol and considering the
percentage of students in college who drink underage regardless(Mahealeris). They do so in
places where alcohol is not permitted, it is clearly present and is not easily ignored(Mahaleris).
Since these underage kids drink so much alcohol it is obvious, they have to get the alcohol from
somewhere. Purchases naturally benefit the country because of the taxes the government takes out
of it so if the purchase of alcohol increases money that the government has will skyrocket
compared to the estimated amount of alcohol people that can legally buy and consume it bring in.
Although, the growing rate of young adults buying alcohol may affect funding negatively. On the
other hand, from the outside looking in no one realizes the negatives. In many places in the
country this issue has already started being discussed and are reviewing what would happen as a
result of going along with the bill. For example Nicole herself writes that, in Wisconsin a bill about
this topic was proposed and would have to gain
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Lowering The Drinking Age
In conclusion, the minimum drinking age should be lowered to the age of eighteen. The legal
drinking age of twenty–one has not been effective and has not been fully enforced to stop underage
drinking. With this in mind, lowering the drinking age will now allow underage drinkers to drink
legally. At the age of eighteen the law claims to have many rights and privileges such as purchasing
cigarettes, buying property, marriage, voting, and enlisting in the military but they are not able to
consume and purchase alcohol. Young adults should be allowed to make their own decisions and
the consumption of alcohol should be one of them. Not only will these young adults be able to
drink legally, but also they will be more supervised. They are afraid of
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Lower the Drinking Age Essay examples
When people turn eighteen they are finally considered an adult. They can join the army, vote, buy
cigarettes or tobacco products, get a tattoo and even die for our country. Although everyone
considers that person to be an adult, they are still not old enough to buy or consume alcohol. A
person can be responsible enough to live on their own, make their own money, pay their own bills,
and yet they are still not considered old enough to purchase or consume any type of alcohol.
Lowering the drinking age to 18 would help prevent the crime and personal injuries that are caused
by alcohol abuse. Although many states are trying to get the drinking age lowered, there are many
groups and national statistics that are keeping the drinking set at 21....show more content...
But the penalties that these states face in order to lower the drinking age, has stopped them from
pursuing these laws. These are just a few of the many issues that are keeping most states from
lowering their drinking age to 18. It has been a rising issue within the past century to have the
drinking age set at 21, but many people are more in favor of having the age set at 18. For
instance, "'Raising the drinking age to 21 was passed with the very best of intentions, but it's had
the very worst of outcomes,' stated by David J. Hanson, an alcohol policy expert" (Johnson).
Many people believe that having the drinking age set at 21 was a smart idea, but it has caused
many more deaths and injuries over the years. Most of these fatalities are cause from people who
are underage and choose to consume alcohol. Again, "Libertarian groups and some conservative
economic foundations, seeing the age limits as having been extorted by Washington, have long
championed lowering the drinking age" (Johnson). These groups see that keeping the drinking age
set at 21 is dangerous as it causes more problems to the Untied States. If the drinking age was
lowered, or set at 18, there would not be such unforgiving outcomes, like deaths and lifelong
injuries, which are usually caused from people who are under the age of 21 drinking alcohol.
Although there are numerous groups that are fighting to keep the age
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Should Drinking Age Be Lowered Essay
Why the drinking age should be lowered? Alcohol has been part of our culture for thousands of
years, it is also a harmful substance. Due to this, almost all the countries around the world have
placed an age restriction on it. In Australia the age required is 18, some countries allow drinking
at the age of 16 for beer, not for spirits. The purpose of a minimum drinking age is to act as a
deterrent from drinking alcohol, as young people face legal punishment if they break the law by
drinking underage. However, underage drinking remains a problem. The law is often difficult to
enforce if people drink in their own homes, rather than in a public place. Though establishments
such as bars or supermarkets often have the policy to ask for identification when selling alcohol
in the Australia, levels of sales to teens are still not considered to be low enough. I think drink age
should be lowered. Due to how high the drinking age is teens have started to turn away from
drinking and have become interested in other dangerous substances and drugs. A study found in
the US states that after the drinking age was increased from 19 to 21, 22% of students reported
that "they are going to take drugs." Teens are always trying to show off to their friends how cool
they are by taking these substances and drugs which will just lead them to an unhappy live in prison
and or a rehab...show more content...
Australia lets teens under the age of 18 have the right to do other things. A few examples of this
would be getting your piercings with permission at 10–16 of age, allowed to drive on your Ls while
supervised and finally be employed at 13 or 14. If teens are mature enough to do these things why
are they not allowed to drink at a lower age? Teens have not broken the laws for driving, pricing or
employment because they know it is one step to becoming a mature adult. But they–they break the
law for drinking because they know they are mature
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Lowering The Drinking Age
SUMMARY Lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18 will delay underage drinking, as well as
terrible injuries or deaths that result from such conduct. Keeping the drinking age at 21 is
driving to more cases of binge drinking in a short time because it has become a ritual among this
age group. However by lowering the drinking age to 18, the binge drinking practice will decline,
because it will demystify the drunken experience therefore viewed the moderate consumption of
alcoholic beverages becomes a disciplined behavior. Roughly 11 million young Americans
consume alcohol, and an upsetting number of them drink way too much, for the purpose of my
research, described as guzzling five or more drinks in a row, one or more times in a two–week period.
...show more content...
Prohibiting this age group from drinking in bars, restaurants, and other licensed locations causes
them to drink in unsupervised places such as fraternity houses or house parties where they may be
more prone to binge drinking and other unsafe behavior. Considering the societal impact of binge
drinking (by the numbers) and the marketed number of young Americans' lives spared by MLDA–21
since its inception it behooves politicians to change the federally coerced prohibition law and to
teach responsible drinking techniques for those who chose to consume alcoholic beverages. The
records show that as a nation we have two strikes on prohibition laws that failed in the past
(Thornton, 1991) notwithstanding, the general good intent for controlling irresponsible drinking
problems. The non for profit organization Choose Responsibility (CHOOSE RESPONSIBILITY),
pro–lowering MLDA–21, openly publishes statistics that on the surface would validate the current
prohibition stance, however when analyzed by removing any cognitive biases those who genuinely
care can see that despite the MLDA–21 law, an alarming number of underage Americans are
drinking, and many are drinking worryingly. "Alcohol is a reality in the lives of young Americans.
It cannot be denied, ignored, or legislated away" (CHOOSE
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Essay On Lowering The Drinking Age To 18
There has been a debate on lowering the drinking age from twenty–one to eighteen. There are many
reasons why this policy should not be passed. At the age of eighteen in the United States one is
considered as an adult to make there own decisions, vote, and are allowed to buy Tabaco. Drinking
is not one of them. Studies have shown that there are scientific reasons this should not happen. First
drinking can be very harmful to the body, causing severe symptoms. Second the drinking and
driving rate would increase. Finally, eighteen year olds are not as mature as twenty–one year olds.
They are not as fully developed as twenty–one year olds. All of these are factors that contribute to
why the drinking age should not be lowered. Alcohol can be very...show more content...
This is a proven fact. According to LiveScience.com, ""The brain of an 18–year–old college
freshman is still far from resembling the brain of someone in their mid–twenties," said Craig
Bennett" (Than). Eighteen year olds do not know how to control themselves when it comes to
alcohol. They drink very irresponsibly, never knowing when to stop. At twenty–one most people
have gone through it enough, that they know their limits and when to stop. Teenagers are not mature
enough to make good decisions about alcohol. When one is at the age of eighteen, the brain is still
developing and growing. When at the age of twenty–one the brain is pretty much done developing.
Most eighteen year olds are either in high school about to graduate or already out. The majority of
eighteen year olds go to college and since it is their first year, they usually go to a lot of parties and
try to enjoy themselves. At twenty–one, the majority of people are in college and trying to get an
education to make a career out of it. They usually have already done the whole party scene and
are settling down and getting serious. Some eighteen year olds are still in high school, this would
make it easier for younger high school kids to access alcohol. This would be dangerous not only for
the kids but the eighteen year olds as well. This could get them in a lot of trouble with the law. This
proves that twenty–one year olds are more mature than eighteen year
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Lowering The Alcohol Drinking Age
Lowering The Alcohol Drinking Age Now a day's teens that are under the age of twenty–one are out
in trouble and drinking. They know that they are not old enough to drink and that is what makes
them want to drink even more. Teens drink when they are not suppose to, but they know that
when they drink, they must stay out of trouble. Lowering the alcohol drinking age will keep a
bunch of teens out of trouble. If teens can stay safe while drinking then they should allow
eighteen year olds to drink. Eighteen year olds are young adults and are responsible for what
they do so they know that they need to be careful while drinking. Even though people do not
agree because alcohol is dangerous and some teens can't control themselves, I personally think
they can so they should lower the alcohol drinking age to eighteen. It will help teens stay out of
trouble, stay safe, and learn how to be careful while drinking. Help lower the drinking age so we
can make the U.S a safer place. By lowering the drinking age, The U.S would be a much safer
place. There would be less accidents because teens will stay home and drink now that they're old
enough to drink they won't be out getting into trouble. They will stay off the streets and won't be out
stealing and running around doing bad things. If lowering the alcohol drinking age means it will
make the U.S a safer place, then they should pass a law that says the legal drinking age has been
changed to eighteen. Please help make the U.S a safer
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Lower The Drinking Age
Should the Drinking Age be Lowered from Twenty–One to a Younger Age
When people think of drinking, they think of fun games and parties. However, this depiction is
wrong. When individuals under twenty–one drink, consequences emerge. In the United States, the
minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) is twenty–one. According to the National Highway Traffic
Administration (NHTSA), the legal drinking age set at twenty–one saves about 900 lives on the road
annually (James C. Fell). By having the drinking age at twenty–one, the amount of alcohol consumed
decreases. Less drinking results in a drop in potential risks and dangerous acts often associated with
alcohol. Individuals under the age of twenty–one are not mature enough to make good choices.
Therefore,...show more content...
Toomey. "Effects of Minimum Drinking Age Laws: Review and Analyses of the Literature from
1960 to 2000." Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 2002. Web. 12 May 2016.
Fell, James C. "An Examination of the Criticisms of the Minimum Legal Drinking Age 21 Laws in
the United States from a Traffic–safety Perspective." Underage Drinking Enforcement Training
Center. Pacific Institute, 2008. Web. 12 May 2016.
"Dangers of Teen Drinking." Federal Trade Commission. N.p., Sept. 2013. Web. 12 May 2016.
"Policy Statement––Alcohol Use by Youth and Adolescents: A Pediatric Concern."Pediatrics.
American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010. Web. 12 May 2016.
"The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking."US Department
of Human Health and Services (DHHS). N.p., 2007. Web. 12 May
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Lowering the Drinking Age Essay
Lowering the drinking age from twenty–one to eighteen is a good idea because it will most likely
promote responsibility, alcohol consumption will be more controlled, and, if not done so, it is
posing as discrimination against the eighteen to twenty age group; however, lowering the legal
drinking age back to eighteen can be fatal because the brains of the eighteen to twenty year old age
groups are not fully developed, binge drinking and alcohol addiction rates will go up, and the
drinking and driving rates will increase. If the drinking age was lowered to eighteen years old it
will promote and cause society in general to learn the responsibilities and long term effects of
drinking in moderation. the eighteen to twenty years old age groups...show more content...
Minimizing the age limit would allow there to be more control over how intoxicated a person is
allowed to get. When the eighteen to twenty age group is prohibited to not be able to drink, even
though they are considered "adults" already, it leads to drinking elsewhere. I pushes people it
into places that are uncontrolled like fraternity houses. These are places the promote drinking
games and excessive, rapid consumption of alcohol, which put people in danger of getting
alcohol poisoning, and that can be very fatal! In public areas such as bars, clubs, and restaurants
drinking has to be done more responsibly. Another beneficial reason to lower the drinking age is
that the peer pressure rates are likely to decrease. If you compare the rates of influence to take a
drink in a public area as to a secluded area, the rates of influence in the secluded area are going to
be higher. Peer pressure can be a very dangerous thing and in areas like fraternity houses not many
people will watch to prevent peer pressure from taking place. Keeping the legal drinking age at
twenty–one is discriminating against the eighteen to twenty age groups. " At eighteen people can
vote, hold public office, serve in the military, marry, sign contracts, buy cigarettes, and drink in most
other countries" (Jamese Slade, pg. 1). Once you turn eighteen the only boundary between and
eighteen
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Arguments Against Lowering The Drinking Age
More than half of American youth of age twelve to twenty have tried alcohol. In the United States,
the legal drinking age is twenty–one. Austria legal drinking age for beer and wine is sixteen years
old. In Saudi Arabia drinking or possessing alcohol is illegal, and people who drink or possess
alcohol are subject to arrest and trial. The problematic argument is whether to lower the legal age of
drinking alcohol. And some question this motive because underage and binge drinking have multiple
risk factors– that can lead to car accidents, violent behavior, alcohol poisoning, and other health
problems. The legal age of drinking has justified because of factors affecting the risk of developing
a drinking problem at a young age. Potential targets
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Essay On Lowering The Drinking Age
Lowering the Legal Drinking Age Most of all society has drank, or does drink before the legal age of
twenty–one. Just because the law states the legal drinking age is twenty–one does not mean society
listens to it. Lowing the drinking age to eighteen could possibly lower the amount of injuries
unreported because people would try to seek help instead of trying to keep the problem under the
radar. On the other hand people older than eighteen are likely to be more responsible with the
actions that person has to deal with. Drinking constantly or being sexually irresponsible is just a few
of the concerns of being under twenty–one (Drinking Age ProCon.org). Although the drinking age is
twenty–one underage teenagers still have a source to get alcohol and to consume it, so to lower the
age to eighteen would keep the underage drinking down....show more content...
In 2006, 72.2% of twelfth graders reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lives" (Drinking
Age ProCon.org). Already underage drinkers spend a decent amount on alcohol. Just only
imagine if the legal age were to go down to eighteen. The frontal lobe of the brain can be damaged
in a young person brain which effects emotional development, a greater chance of addiction, as
well as depression. Also lowering the age to eighteen would reduce the amount of fatal injuries due
to alcohol because people would seek medical attention (Drinking Age ProCon.org). "A 2009 study
published in The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that between 1998 and 2005, the
number of cases of alcohol poisoning deaths among 18– to 24–year–olds nearly tripled, jumping
from 779 cases to 2,290"
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Essay on Lowering the Drinking Age
Every year, thousands of deaths occur as a result of drunk driving, and every day people are facing
the consequences of irresponsible drinking. Because of the issues caused by irresponsible drinking,
the US government passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act in 1984 which raised the
minimum drinking age to twenty–one to prevent drinking–related accidents and violence. Despite the
intent of its passing, it was a counterproductive decision. Because of the higher age restriction, high
school upperclassmen and college underclassmen see drinking as an exciting, rebellious act.
Consequentially, the National Minimum Drinking Age Actresulted in an increase in dangerous and
irresponsible drinking which continues to this day. Not only does the...show more content...
In addition, these underage drinkers do not know when they will be able to obtain alcohol again. As
a result, underage drinkers are more likely to drink irresponsibly than drinkers of age. In fact,
thirty–two percent of underage drinkers have been involved in heavy drinking compared to the
twenty–four percent of legal drinkers (Engs 1).
On the flip side, if the age restriction were lower, young adults will not view alcohol as a
forbidden fruit, so they will feel less encouraged to drink for the sake of rebelling or exploring. In
addition, they will have the comfort of knowing they can drink again in the near future, so they will
be less likely to drink large quantities at once. Not only will the intent of drinking change, but also it
would be more acceptable for educational programs to teach high school upperclassmen a thorough
understanding of what it means and how to drink responsibly. Proponents for the current age
minimum counter this by saying that the lower age minimum would increase drinking among young
adults and result in more drinking–related violence and accidents; they do not believe lowering the
age restriction will help increase responsible drinking. In response, when looking at similar countries
such as Europe which have lower drinking age minimums, there are fewer issues with
alcohol–related traffic accidents and violence, showing that a less strict
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Essay On Lowering The Drinking Age To 18
My chose to do the policy where we should lower the drinking age from twenty one to eighteen.
There are many arguments where you could lower the drinking age. Some say that lowering the
drinking age would stop underage drinking and control binge drinking. I think it would stop those
things to like lowering the drinking age would cut out a lot of underage drinking because most kids
don't start liking alcohol until there about eighteen anyways. The drinking age should be lowered to
eighteen because there has been many problems that have caused life threatening dangers to these
teens. The age eighteen is where you start to become an adult so people should have the right to
drink when they turn eighteen ("Drinking Age"). It also should be allowed...show more content...
They even say there are less drinking and driving fatalities in many other countries that have the
drinking age at eighteen ("Drinking Age"). It shows that the percentages of fatalities that occur
have nothing to do with the MLDA ("Drinking Age"). The MLDA is having no effect because
teens are are still consuming alcohol illegally. The drinking age of 21 promotes teens to get fake
identification so they can get alcohol. Lowering the drinking age would decrease the number of
false identifications. Especially since there is a lot of terrorism and fake identifications right
now we need to get rid of that stuff ("Drinking Age"). I believe that there are a lot kids that like
alcohol at the age of 18. They should have that right to have a drink and enjoy it. Although there
are many pros to the drinking age being lowered there are also many cons too. A lot of people in
the United States want to keep the drinking age the same.They say that if we lowered the drinking
age more teens will want to drink and it could cause bad things to happen ("Odyssey"). In many
other countries the legal age to drink is under eighteen and they have proved that there are more
people who consume a big amount of alcohol and they think
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Lowering The Drinking Age To 18 Essay
Whether Or Not Should Drinking Age Be Lowered From 21 to 18 Years This discussion has been
going on for long on many forums without a decisive conclusion or agreement. This is mainly
because both the arguments for lowering the age to 18 years and not lowering have some
substantial facts to support them. The people who are against lowering the drinking age come up
with a number of arguments which are explained below. Several states like Michigan,
Massachusetts, and Maine in the United States of America lowered their drinking ages to 18. As a
direct result there was increase in alcohol related clashes. This clearly shows that the teenagers are
not ready to be left to drink freely. This situation can be attributed to the fact that the...show more
content...
Another argument supporting not to lower the drinking age is that the earlier a person begins
alcohol use, the higher the chances of that person becoming an alcoholic later in life and thus
harming their brains. But this is not entirely applicable because starting drinking at the age of 21
can also lead a person to becoming an alcoholic as well. There are statistics that alcohol
consumption has lowered since 1984. Some attribute this to the fact that drinking age is set at
21, but this is not absolutely the reason because even where it is set at 18 people make their own
choices of whether to drink or not. It is also evident that setting the drinking age at 21 against 18
does not eliminate teenage drinking problems; instead it just keeps them on hold until the teens
get to 21 years of age. In some cases keeping the minimum drinking age at 21 encourages teens to
drink more. Hence drinking age should be set at the age of 18. Here are some of the reasons why.
Why the drinking age should be lowered to 18 Turning 18 years means that a person has become a
responsible adult. Thus one receives the rights and responsibilities of an adult which includes;
taking responsible of life and death, be prosecuted as an adult, can join the army, sign contracts and
the right to vote amongst others. All these shows that at 18 a person can do all the things that a 21
years person can
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Lowering The Drinking Age Essay
Several organizations exist that are either in support of or opposed to lowering the minimum legal
drinking age. Choose Responsibility, a group founded by John McCardell, proposes that upon
completion of a 40 hour course to educate young people about alcohol, 18, 19, and 20 year old
people should be licensed to drink. The Amethyst Initiative, part of Choose Responsibility, is a
petition to Congress to rethink the minimum legal drinking age. Several college leaders have signed
this petition in the belief that lowering the minimum legal drinking age will reduce binge drinking
on college campuses. The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) has performed research on
the results of states lowering, then raising, their minimum legal...show more content...
They have also asked Congress "to support an informed and dispassionate public debate over the
effects of the 21 year–old drinking age" through the Amethyst Initiative. I question how giving
eighteen year old persons the ability to drink legally will reduce binge drinking. If young people
are told that it is okay to drink at age 18, they will. A surprising number of young people already
drink illegally at age 18, and that number will only increase if 18 becomes the new minimum legal
drinking age. Studies have shown that younger people get drunk twice as fast and have a more
difficult time knowing when to stop. This is a core problem with underage drinking. Research
shows that when the minimum legal drinking age is 21, opposed to lower ages in the past, young
people do drink less. A lower minimum legal drinking age results in more young drinkers, not less.
Amethyst Initiative and Choose Responsibility have the right goal – to reduce binge drinking – but
the wrong approach. The approach should be stronger enforcement and firm parental rules. Teens
must understand that the age limit of 21 is there for their safety, not to keep them having a good time.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performed research comparing changes in states that
lowered their minimum legal drinking age in 1974 and again when states raised their minimum legal
drinking ages back to 21in the
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Lowering The Drinking Age Essay
On July 1, 1971 the 26th amendment was passed which lowered the minimum age to vote from
twenty one to eighteen years old. Shortly after the amendment was passed twenty nine states
across America started lowering the drinking age from 21 to either 18,19, or 20 years old. This
new freedom for young adults only lasted for a brief time by 1984 the Uniform Drinking Age Act
was passed. The Uniform Drinking Age Act forced states to change the drinking age back to twenty
one years old; by reducing the federal transportation funding, for each state that did not have a
minimum drinking age of21. This act has caused controversy for years, there even is group of 136
college presidents called Amethyst Initiative that support a lower minimum legal...show more
content...
These statistics' prove Engs theory that because Alcohol consumption is illegal for young adults
tend to consume alcohol and abuse alcohol more often. If their theory was true the binge drinking
rate for 21 to 25 years olds would not be 45.5% in 2010. Another statistic that proves Engs
"forbidden fruit theory" wrong is the statistic noted by the University of Michigan's Monitoring the
Future study, they found that a proportion of those 19– to 22–year–olds that binged drank two
weeks prior to their surveyed in 1984 was 40.7% and their current study in 2006 found that only
38.1% binged drank 2 weeks prior to the recent survey, Which; proves that the 1984 act has
decreased binge drinking by 2% in America. This drop in binge drinking rates may only be a small
drop in binge drinking rates. Which, convey that Americans do have a high percentage of binge
drinkers. This problem brings up another argument that supporters of lowering the drinking age
bring up. Supporters of lowering the MLDA compared America to other countries that have a
minimum drinking age of 18. Supporters of lowering the MLDA say that in countries where the
drinking age 18 young people drink smarter. John McCardell points out some interesting statistic he
states" in southern European countries ratios of all drinking occasions to intoxication occasions
were quite low roughly one in ten while in the United States, almost half of all
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Lowering Drinking Age
Lowering the Drinking Age In The United States, the government has set certain rules and limits on
society for reasons such as protection, safety, stability, order, and success. For example, in 1984,
The U.S. gov't has set an age limit on the consumption of alcohol, in order to lead safer and
healthier lives. One reason it is believed to be safer if one cannot drink alcohol until the age of 21,
is because the brain has not fully developed and the consumption of alcohol will interfere with that
development. But is it really safer if the drinking age is 21, rather than 18? Many people will
believe that it is safer, because that's what the gov't tells them, but those people will often fail to see
the whole picture. Other than brain development,...show more content...
Because the drinking age is lower in other countries, such as Europe, the drinking that occurs there
demonstrates moderate, responsible alcohol intake and allows teenagers to ease into drinking at
their own pace. One of the main reasons of binge drinking, drinking in unsafe environments, and
alcohol related accidents is because teenagers enjoy the thrill of being able to do something that is
illegal. However, in countries such as Europe, having a glass of wine at dinner or a beer while
watching television, isn't anything out of the ordinary to them. Since their parents allow it,
because the government allows it, there is no real motive to hide in a basement or dorm room
and binge drink. They are also provided with a safe environment with legal adults who will know
how to react in a dangerous situation. Often when teenagers are drinking and faced with a
dangerous issue, such as if someone is too drunk and unconscious, they flee the scene in fear of
getting in trouble. Any legal adult would take the right actions and give that person the treatment
and care he or she needs or take them to seek medical help. That kind of care can be seen in other
countries, where it is not wrong for an adult to be at the scene with teenagers drinking if it is legal.
If the drinking age remains 21 here, there will be less and less adults at a scene of underage kids
drinking, and therefore there will be no supervision if something goes wrong. According to the World
Health Organization, 15 and 16 year old teens in many European states, where the drinking age is 18
and often not enforced, although have more drinking occasions per month, they have fewer
dangerous, intoxication occasions than their American
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Argumentative Essay: Lowering The Drinking Age
SUMMARY Lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18 will delay underage drinking, as well as
terrible injuries or deaths that result from such conduct. Keeping the drinking age at 21 is
driving to more cases of binge drinking in a short time because it has become a ritual among this
age group. However by lowering the drinking age to 18, the binge drinking practice will decline,
because it will demystify the drunken experience therefore viewed the moderate consumption of
alcoholic beverages becomes a disciplined behavior. Roughly 11 million young Americans
consume alcohol, and an upsetting number of them drink way too much, for the purpose of my
research, described as guzzling five or more drinks in a row, one or more times in a two–week period.
...show more content...
Prohibiting this age group from drinking in bars, restaurants, and other licensed locations causes
them to drink in unsupervised places such as fraternity houses or house parties where they may be
more prone to binge drinking and other unsafe behavior. Considering the societal impact of binge
drinking (by the numbers) and the marketed number of young Americans' lives spared by MLDA–21
since its inception it behooves politicians to change the federally coerced prohibition law and to
teach responsible drinking techniques for those who chose to consume alcoholic beverages. The
records show that as a nation we have two strikes on prohibition laws that failed in the past
(Thornton, 1991) notwithstanding, the general good intent for controlling irresponsible drinking
problems. The non for profit organization Choose Responsibility (CHOOSE RESPONSIBILITY),
pro–lowering MLDA–21, openly publishes statistics that on the surface would validate the current
prohibition stance, however when analyzed by removing any cognitive biases those who genuinely
care can see that despite the MLDA–21 law, an alarming number of underage Americans are
drinking, and many are drinking worryingly. "Alcohol is a reality in the lives of young Americans.
It cannot be denied, ignored, or legislated away" (CHOOSE
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Essay on Lower the Drinking Age To 18
The age of drinking has been an issue in our country for a long time and there are
many regards on why the age is set at 21. The federal government should not impose a
drinking age of 21. The drinking age should be lowered to the age of 18 for the following
reasons; one, most people between the age of 18–20 are drinking alcohol already, and
two, you should have the right to purchase alcohol when you reach the age of 18, because
that is the age when you are considered and adult and have many rights and freedom.
It is common to find people under the age of 21 in the possession of alcohol. In
allot of gatherings such as Faternity and High Shool parties, drinking is the main thing
going...show more content...
The
High School students drink to and a friday night for them and college students usually has
alcohol involved in it. In allot of cases, many upper classmates will buy the lower
classmates alcohol and even go and get drunk with them on the weekends. It is very easy
to get alcohol and this shows that consuming alcohol at the age of 18 is tolerant. So I
don't see why the government makes a law that most people don't follow anyways.
The second reason to change the legal drinking age to 18 is because you are
considered to be an adult at this age. When you are 18 you have the right to vote, get
married, go to war, buy a gun, and plus your prosecuted as an adult when your charged
with a crime. That same person, however, cannot walk into the bar after a hard days work
and enjoy a glass of beer or wine. That's funny that the government basically says that
when your 18 you can go to war and die for your country and then says that same person
is not responsible enough when it comes to drinking. This is a violation to ones freedom as
an adult.
Alcohol has been a topic among people under the age of 21 for a long time. Many
underage people can and will get alcohol if they want it, there is always someone out there
who will buy it for them. Nevertheless the legal age to drink and purchase alcohol should
be change from 21 to 18, because of the reason
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Lowering The Drinking Age To 18 Essay
Proponents of lowering the drinking age legally from 21 to18 years have done nothing to stop teen
drinking, but it has instead pushed underage to drink in private and less controlled environments.
This has led to not only more health behavior but also life endangering ones too by teens. Those
against this move argue that at 18, teens are not capable of controlling of handling alcohol
responsibly thus they can easily harm or even themselves as well as others by drinking prior to 21
years. Even though many people believe that those below the age of 21 are prohibited from taking
alcohol, the research shows that in 29 states, teens take alcohol on private premises with even the
concept of their parents. Some countries within the United States have...show more content...
One of these issues is the fact that at the age of 18 one is considered an adult in the United States,
an adult should, therefore, be allowed to make a decision on whether to take alcohol or not. At the
age of 18, one receives various rights and responsibilities like a like to vote, serving on juries,
getting married, smoking a cigarette as well as entering into various contracts. If one is allowed to
make such life–risking decisions, even drinking should be permitted. By allowing teens aged
between 18 and 20 years to take alcohol in environments that are regulated and with supervision
would decrease activities of unsafe drinking. Through prohibition of teens to take alcohol in
restaurants, bars, and other licensed locations, makes them turn to unsupervised places like
fraternity houses. And house parties where they are even more prone to binge drinking as well as
unsafe behavior. Traffic fatalities and accidents are mainly common among the drinkers who are
newly legal regardless of the MLDA. According to the research, the highest number of accidents is
primarily caused by those aged 24 years. These drivers cause these accidents as a result of alcohol
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Lowering The Drinking Age Essay

  • 1. Lowering The Drinking Age Lowering the drinking age in the United States Alcohol is many people's drink of choice in several different situations. Whether it is a casual get together or a crazy out of control party, it is not hard for adolescents to get their hands on the substance even if it is illegal for them to purchase and drink it. However, even the parents and lawmakers of the most respectful teenagers can not ignore the growing rate of adolescents drinking earlier than 21. While it may be fun in the moment teens miss the steps of drinking responsibility and the long–term effects of partaking in it. Even though some lawmakers claim that lowering the drinking age would negatively affect the country, the long term effects of individuals drinking earlier could...show more content... On the positive side, it could be beneficial to the country because the amount of alcohol that this age range actually consumes is borderline excessive compared to older age groups. Research suggests that, "lowering the drinking age in the U.S could prove to be beneficial"(Mahaleris). About 65 percent of students over the age of 18 regularly consume alcohol and considering the percentage of students in college who drink underage regardless(Mahealeris). They do so in places where alcohol is not permitted, it is clearly present and is not easily ignored(Mahaleris). Since these underage kids drink so much alcohol it is obvious, they have to get the alcohol from somewhere. Purchases naturally benefit the country because of the taxes the government takes out of it so if the purchase of alcohol increases money that the government has will skyrocket compared to the estimated amount of alcohol people that can legally buy and consume it bring in. Although, the growing rate of young adults buying alcohol may affect funding negatively. On the other hand, from the outside looking in no one realizes the negatives. In many places in the country this issue has already started being discussed and are reviewing what would happen as a result of going along with the bill. For example Nicole herself writes that, in Wisconsin a bill about this topic was proposed and would have to gain Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 2. Lowering The Drinking Age In conclusion, the minimum drinking age should be lowered to the age of eighteen. The legal drinking age of twenty–one has not been effective and has not been fully enforced to stop underage drinking. With this in mind, lowering the drinking age will now allow underage drinkers to drink legally. At the age of eighteen the law claims to have many rights and privileges such as purchasing cigarettes, buying property, marriage, voting, and enlisting in the military but they are not able to consume and purchase alcohol. Young adults should be allowed to make their own decisions and the consumption of alcohol should be one of them. Not only will these young adults be able to drink legally, but also they will be more supervised. They are afraid of Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 3. Lower the Drinking Age Essay examples When people turn eighteen they are finally considered an adult. They can join the army, vote, buy cigarettes or tobacco products, get a tattoo and even die for our country. Although everyone considers that person to be an adult, they are still not old enough to buy or consume alcohol. A person can be responsible enough to live on their own, make their own money, pay their own bills, and yet they are still not considered old enough to purchase or consume any type of alcohol. Lowering the drinking age to 18 would help prevent the crime and personal injuries that are caused by alcohol abuse. Although many states are trying to get the drinking age lowered, there are many groups and national statistics that are keeping the drinking set at 21....show more content... But the penalties that these states face in order to lower the drinking age, has stopped them from pursuing these laws. These are just a few of the many issues that are keeping most states from lowering their drinking age to 18. It has been a rising issue within the past century to have the drinking age set at 21, but many people are more in favor of having the age set at 18. For instance, "'Raising the drinking age to 21 was passed with the very best of intentions, but it's had the very worst of outcomes,' stated by David J. Hanson, an alcohol policy expert" (Johnson). Many people believe that having the drinking age set at 21 was a smart idea, but it has caused many more deaths and injuries over the years. Most of these fatalities are cause from people who are underage and choose to consume alcohol. Again, "Libertarian groups and some conservative economic foundations, seeing the age limits as having been extorted by Washington, have long championed lowering the drinking age" (Johnson). These groups see that keeping the drinking age set at 21 is dangerous as it causes more problems to the Untied States. If the drinking age was lowered, or set at 18, there would not be such unforgiving outcomes, like deaths and lifelong injuries, which are usually caused from people who are under the age of 21 drinking alcohol. Although there are numerous groups that are fighting to keep the age Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 4. Should Drinking Age Be Lowered Essay Why the drinking age should be lowered? Alcohol has been part of our culture for thousands of years, it is also a harmful substance. Due to this, almost all the countries around the world have placed an age restriction on it. In Australia the age required is 18, some countries allow drinking at the age of 16 for beer, not for spirits. The purpose of a minimum drinking age is to act as a deterrent from drinking alcohol, as young people face legal punishment if they break the law by drinking underage. However, underage drinking remains a problem. The law is often difficult to enforce if people drink in their own homes, rather than in a public place. Though establishments such as bars or supermarkets often have the policy to ask for identification when selling alcohol in the Australia, levels of sales to teens are still not considered to be low enough. I think drink age should be lowered. Due to how high the drinking age is teens have started to turn away from drinking and have become interested in other dangerous substances and drugs. A study found in the US states that after the drinking age was increased from 19 to 21, 22% of students reported that "they are going to take drugs." Teens are always trying to show off to their friends how cool they are by taking these substances and drugs which will just lead them to an unhappy live in prison and or a rehab...show more content... Australia lets teens under the age of 18 have the right to do other things. A few examples of this would be getting your piercings with permission at 10–16 of age, allowed to drive on your Ls while supervised and finally be employed at 13 or 14. If teens are mature enough to do these things why are they not allowed to drink at a lower age? Teens have not broken the laws for driving, pricing or employment because they know it is one step to becoming a mature adult. But they–they break the law for drinking because they know they are mature Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 5. Lowering The Drinking Age SUMMARY Lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18 will delay underage drinking, as well as terrible injuries or deaths that result from such conduct. Keeping the drinking age at 21 is driving to more cases of binge drinking in a short time because it has become a ritual among this age group. However by lowering the drinking age to 18, the binge drinking practice will decline, because it will demystify the drunken experience therefore viewed the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages becomes a disciplined behavior. Roughly 11 million young Americans consume alcohol, and an upsetting number of them drink way too much, for the purpose of my research, described as guzzling five or more drinks in a row, one or more times in a two–week period. ...show more content... Prohibiting this age group from drinking in bars, restaurants, and other licensed locations causes them to drink in unsupervised places such as fraternity houses or house parties where they may be more prone to binge drinking and other unsafe behavior. Considering the societal impact of binge drinking (by the numbers) and the marketed number of young Americans' lives spared by MLDA–21 since its inception it behooves politicians to change the federally coerced prohibition law and to teach responsible drinking techniques for those who chose to consume alcoholic beverages. The records show that as a nation we have two strikes on prohibition laws that failed in the past (Thornton, 1991) notwithstanding, the general good intent for controlling irresponsible drinking problems. The non for profit organization Choose Responsibility (CHOOSE RESPONSIBILITY), pro–lowering MLDA–21, openly publishes statistics that on the surface would validate the current prohibition stance, however when analyzed by removing any cognitive biases those who genuinely care can see that despite the MLDA–21 law, an alarming number of underage Americans are drinking, and many are drinking worryingly. "Alcohol is a reality in the lives of young Americans. It cannot be denied, ignored, or legislated away" (CHOOSE Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 6. Essay On Lowering The Drinking Age To 18 There has been a debate on lowering the drinking age from twenty–one to eighteen. There are many reasons why this policy should not be passed. At the age of eighteen in the United States one is considered as an adult to make there own decisions, vote, and are allowed to buy Tabaco. Drinking is not one of them. Studies have shown that there are scientific reasons this should not happen. First drinking can be very harmful to the body, causing severe symptoms. Second the drinking and driving rate would increase. Finally, eighteen year olds are not as mature as twenty–one year olds. They are not as fully developed as twenty–one year olds. All of these are factors that contribute to why the drinking age should not be lowered. Alcohol can be very...show more content... This is a proven fact. According to LiveScience.com, ""The brain of an 18–year–old college freshman is still far from resembling the brain of someone in their mid–twenties," said Craig Bennett" (Than). Eighteen year olds do not know how to control themselves when it comes to alcohol. They drink very irresponsibly, never knowing when to stop. At twenty–one most people have gone through it enough, that they know their limits and when to stop. Teenagers are not mature enough to make good decisions about alcohol. When one is at the age of eighteen, the brain is still developing and growing. When at the age of twenty–one the brain is pretty much done developing. Most eighteen year olds are either in high school about to graduate or already out. The majority of eighteen year olds go to college and since it is their first year, they usually go to a lot of parties and try to enjoy themselves. At twenty–one, the majority of people are in college and trying to get an education to make a career out of it. They usually have already done the whole party scene and are settling down and getting serious. Some eighteen year olds are still in high school, this would make it easier for younger high school kids to access alcohol. This would be dangerous not only for the kids but the eighteen year olds as well. This could get them in a lot of trouble with the law. This proves that twenty–one year olds are more mature than eighteen year Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 7. Lowering The Alcohol Drinking Age Lowering The Alcohol Drinking Age Now a day's teens that are under the age of twenty–one are out in trouble and drinking. They know that they are not old enough to drink and that is what makes them want to drink even more. Teens drink when they are not suppose to, but they know that when they drink, they must stay out of trouble. Lowering the alcohol drinking age will keep a bunch of teens out of trouble. If teens can stay safe while drinking then they should allow eighteen year olds to drink. Eighteen year olds are young adults and are responsible for what they do so they know that they need to be careful while drinking. Even though people do not agree because alcohol is dangerous and some teens can't control themselves, I personally think they can so they should lower the alcohol drinking age to eighteen. It will help teens stay out of trouble, stay safe, and learn how to be careful while drinking. Help lower the drinking age so we can make the U.S a safer place. By lowering the drinking age, The U.S would be a much safer place. There would be less accidents because teens will stay home and drink now that they're old enough to drink they won't be out getting into trouble. They will stay off the streets and won't be out stealing and running around doing bad things. If lowering the alcohol drinking age means it will make the U.S a safer place, then they should pass a law that says the legal drinking age has been changed to eighteen. Please help make the U.S a safer Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 8. Lower The Drinking Age Should the Drinking Age be Lowered from Twenty–One to a Younger Age When people think of drinking, they think of fun games and parties. However, this depiction is wrong. When individuals under twenty–one drink, consequences emerge. In the United States, the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) is twenty–one. According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), the legal drinking age set at twenty–one saves about 900 lives on the road annually (James C. Fell). By having the drinking age at twenty–one, the amount of alcohol consumed decreases. Less drinking results in a drop in potential risks and dangerous acts often associated with alcohol. Individuals under the age of twenty–one are not mature enough to make good choices. Therefore,...show more content... Toomey. "Effects of Minimum Drinking Age Laws: Review and Analyses of the Literature from 1960 to 2000." Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 2002. Web. 12 May 2016. Fell, James C. "An Examination of the Criticisms of the Minimum Legal Drinking Age 21 Laws in the United States from a Traffic–safety Perspective." Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center. Pacific Institute, 2008. Web. 12 May 2016. "Dangers of Teen Drinking." Federal Trade Commission. N.p., Sept. 2013. Web. 12 May 2016. "Policy Statement––Alcohol Use by Youth and Adolescents: A Pediatric Concern."Pediatrics. American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010. Web. 12 May 2016. "The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking."US Department of Human Health and Services (DHHS). N.p., 2007. Web. 12 May Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 9. Lowering the Drinking Age Essay Lowering the drinking age from twenty–one to eighteen is a good idea because it will most likely promote responsibility, alcohol consumption will be more controlled, and, if not done so, it is posing as discrimination against the eighteen to twenty age group; however, lowering the legal drinking age back to eighteen can be fatal because the brains of the eighteen to twenty year old age groups are not fully developed, binge drinking and alcohol addiction rates will go up, and the drinking and driving rates will increase. If the drinking age was lowered to eighteen years old it will promote and cause society in general to learn the responsibilities and long term effects of drinking in moderation. the eighteen to twenty years old age groups...show more content... Minimizing the age limit would allow there to be more control over how intoxicated a person is allowed to get. When the eighteen to twenty age group is prohibited to not be able to drink, even though they are considered "adults" already, it leads to drinking elsewhere. I pushes people it into places that are uncontrolled like fraternity houses. These are places the promote drinking games and excessive, rapid consumption of alcohol, which put people in danger of getting alcohol poisoning, and that can be very fatal! In public areas such as bars, clubs, and restaurants drinking has to be done more responsibly. Another beneficial reason to lower the drinking age is that the peer pressure rates are likely to decrease. If you compare the rates of influence to take a drink in a public area as to a secluded area, the rates of influence in the secluded area are going to be higher. Peer pressure can be a very dangerous thing and in areas like fraternity houses not many people will watch to prevent peer pressure from taking place. Keeping the legal drinking age at twenty–one is discriminating against the eighteen to twenty age groups. " At eighteen people can vote, hold public office, serve in the military, marry, sign contracts, buy cigarettes, and drink in most other countries" (Jamese Slade, pg. 1). Once you turn eighteen the only boundary between and eighteen Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 10. Arguments Against Lowering The Drinking Age More than half of American youth of age twelve to twenty have tried alcohol. In the United States, the legal drinking age is twenty–one. Austria legal drinking age for beer and wine is sixteen years old. In Saudi Arabia drinking or possessing alcohol is illegal, and people who drink or possess alcohol are subject to arrest and trial. The problematic argument is whether to lower the legal age of drinking alcohol. And some question this motive because underage and binge drinking have multiple risk factors– that can lead to car accidents, violent behavior, alcohol poisoning, and other health problems. The legal age of drinking has justified because of factors affecting the risk of developing a drinking problem at a young age. Potential targets Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 11. Essay On Lowering The Drinking Age Lowering the Legal Drinking Age Most of all society has drank, or does drink before the legal age of twenty–one. Just because the law states the legal drinking age is twenty–one does not mean society listens to it. Lowing the drinking age to eighteen could possibly lower the amount of injuries unreported because people would try to seek help instead of trying to keep the problem under the radar. On the other hand people older than eighteen are likely to be more responsible with the actions that person has to deal with. Drinking constantly or being sexually irresponsible is just a few of the concerns of being under twenty–one (Drinking Age ProCon.org). Although the drinking age is twenty–one underage teenagers still have a source to get alcohol and to consume it, so to lower the age to eighteen would keep the underage drinking down....show more content... In 2006, 72.2% of twelfth graders reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lives" (Drinking Age ProCon.org). Already underage drinkers spend a decent amount on alcohol. Just only imagine if the legal age were to go down to eighteen. The frontal lobe of the brain can be damaged in a young person brain which effects emotional development, a greater chance of addiction, as well as depression. Also lowering the age to eighteen would reduce the amount of fatal injuries due to alcohol because people would seek medical attention (Drinking Age ProCon.org). "A 2009 study published in The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that between 1998 and 2005, the number of cases of alcohol poisoning deaths among 18– to 24–year–olds nearly tripled, jumping from 779 cases to 2,290" Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 12. Essay on Lowering the Drinking Age Every year, thousands of deaths occur as a result of drunk driving, and every day people are facing the consequences of irresponsible drinking. Because of the issues caused by irresponsible drinking, the US government passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act in 1984 which raised the minimum drinking age to twenty–one to prevent drinking–related accidents and violence. Despite the intent of its passing, it was a counterproductive decision. Because of the higher age restriction, high school upperclassmen and college underclassmen see drinking as an exciting, rebellious act. Consequentially, the National Minimum Drinking Age Actresulted in an increase in dangerous and irresponsible drinking which continues to this day. Not only does the...show more content... In addition, these underage drinkers do not know when they will be able to obtain alcohol again. As a result, underage drinkers are more likely to drink irresponsibly than drinkers of age. In fact, thirty–two percent of underage drinkers have been involved in heavy drinking compared to the twenty–four percent of legal drinkers (Engs 1). On the flip side, if the age restriction were lower, young adults will not view alcohol as a forbidden fruit, so they will feel less encouraged to drink for the sake of rebelling or exploring. In addition, they will have the comfort of knowing they can drink again in the near future, so they will be less likely to drink large quantities at once. Not only will the intent of drinking change, but also it would be more acceptable for educational programs to teach high school upperclassmen a thorough understanding of what it means and how to drink responsibly. Proponents for the current age minimum counter this by saying that the lower age minimum would increase drinking among young adults and result in more drinking–related violence and accidents; they do not believe lowering the age restriction will help increase responsible drinking. In response, when looking at similar countries such as Europe which have lower drinking age minimums, there are fewer issues with alcohol–related traffic accidents and violence, showing that a less strict Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 13. Essay On Lowering The Drinking Age To 18 My chose to do the policy where we should lower the drinking age from twenty one to eighteen. There are many arguments where you could lower the drinking age. Some say that lowering the drinking age would stop underage drinking and control binge drinking. I think it would stop those things to like lowering the drinking age would cut out a lot of underage drinking because most kids don't start liking alcohol until there about eighteen anyways. The drinking age should be lowered to eighteen because there has been many problems that have caused life threatening dangers to these teens. The age eighteen is where you start to become an adult so people should have the right to drink when they turn eighteen ("Drinking Age"). It also should be allowed...show more content... They even say there are less drinking and driving fatalities in many other countries that have the drinking age at eighteen ("Drinking Age"). It shows that the percentages of fatalities that occur have nothing to do with the MLDA ("Drinking Age"). The MLDA is having no effect because teens are are still consuming alcohol illegally. The drinking age of 21 promotes teens to get fake identification so they can get alcohol. Lowering the drinking age would decrease the number of false identifications. Especially since there is a lot of terrorism and fake identifications right now we need to get rid of that stuff ("Drinking Age"). I believe that there are a lot kids that like alcohol at the age of 18. They should have that right to have a drink and enjoy it. Although there are many pros to the drinking age being lowered there are also many cons too. A lot of people in the United States want to keep the drinking age the same.They say that if we lowered the drinking age more teens will want to drink and it could cause bad things to happen ("Odyssey"). In many other countries the legal age to drink is under eighteen and they have proved that there are more people who consume a big amount of alcohol and they think Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 14. Lowering The Drinking Age To 18 Essay Whether Or Not Should Drinking Age Be Lowered From 21 to 18 Years This discussion has been going on for long on many forums without a decisive conclusion or agreement. This is mainly because both the arguments for lowering the age to 18 years and not lowering have some substantial facts to support them. The people who are against lowering the drinking age come up with a number of arguments which are explained below. Several states like Michigan, Massachusetts, and Maine in the United States of America lowered their drinking ages to 18. As a direct result there was increase in alcohol related clashes. This clearly shows that the teenagers are not ready to be left to drink freely. This situation can be attributed to the fact that the...show more content... Another argument supporting not to lower the drinking age is that the earlier a person begins alcohol use, the higher the chances of that person becoming an alcoholic later in life and thus harming their brains. But this is not entirely applicable because starting drinking at the age of 21 can also lead a person to becoming an alcoholic as well. There are statistics that alcohol consumption has lowered since 1984. Some attribute this to the fact that drinking age is set at 21, but this is not absolutely the reason because even where it is set at 18 people make their own choices of whether to drink or not. It is also evident that setting the drinking age at 21 against 18 does not eliminate teenage drinking problems; instead it just keeps them on hold until the teens get to 21 years of age. In some cases keeping the minimum drinking age at 21 encourages teens to drink more. Hence drinking age should be set at the age of 18. Here are some of the reasons why. Why the drinking age should be lowered to 18 Turning 18 years means that a person has become a responsible adult. Thus one receives the rights and responsibilities of an adult which includes; taking responsible of life and death, be prosecuted as an adult, can join the army, sign contracts and the right to vote amongst others. All these shows that at 18 a person can do all the things that a 21 years person can Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 15. Lowering The Drinking Age Essay Several organizations exist that are either in support of or opposed to lowering the minimum legal drinking age. Choose Responsibility, a group founded by John McCardell, proposes that upon completion of a 40 hour course to educate young people about alcohol, 18, 19, and 20 year old people should be licensed to drink. The Amethyst Initiative, part of Choose Responsibility, is a petition to Congress to rethink the minimum legal drinking age. Several college leaders have signed this petition in the belief that lowering the minimum legal drinking age will reduce binge drinking on college campuses. The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) has performed research on the results of states lowering, then raising, their minimum legal...show more content... They have also asked Congress "to support an informed and dispassionate public debate over the effects of the 21 year–old drinking age" through the Amethyst Initiative. I question how giving eighteen year old persons the ability to drink legally will reduce binge drinking. If young people are told that it is okay to drink at age 18, they will. A surprising number of young people already drink illegally at age 18, and that number will only increase if 18 becomes the new minimum legal drinking age. Studies have shown that younger people get drunk twice as fast and have a more difficult time knowing when to stop. This is a core problem with underage drinking. Research shows that when the minimum legal drinking age is 21, opposed to lower ages in the past, young people do drink less. A lower minimum legal drinking age results in more young drinkers, not less. Amethyst Initiative and Choose Responsibility have the right goal – to reduce binge drinking – but the wrong approach. The approach should be stronger enforcement and firm parental rules. Teens must understand that the age limit of 21 is there for their safety, not to keep them having a good time. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performed research comparing changes in states that lowered their minimum legal drinking age in 1974 and again when states raised their minimum legal drinking ages back to 21in the Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 16. Lowering The Drinking Age Essay On July 1, 1971 the 26th amendment was passed which lowered the minimum age to vote from twenty one to eighteen years old. Shortly after the amendment was passed twenty nine states across America started lowering the drinking age from 21 to either 18,19, or 20 years old. This new freedom for young adults only lasted for a brief time by 1984 the Uniform Drinking Age Act was passed. The Uniform Drinking Age Act forced states to change the drinking age back to twenty one years old; by reducing the federal transportation funding, for each state that did not have a minimum drinking age of21. This act has caused controversy for years, there even is group of 136 college presidents called Amethyst Initiative that support a lower minimum legal...show more content... These statistics' prove Engs theory that because Alcohol consumption is illegal for young adults tend to consume alcohol and abuse alcohol more often. If their theory was true the binge drinking rate for 21 to 25 years olds would not be 45.5% in 2010. Another statistic that proves Engs "forbidden fruit theory" wrong is the statistic noted by the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future study, they found that a proportion of those 19– to 22–year–olds that binged drank two weeks prior to their surveyed in 1984 was 40.7% and their current study in 2006 found that only 38.1% binged drank 2 weeks prior to the recent survey, Which; proves that the 1984 act has decreased binge drinking by 2% in America. This drop in binge drinking rates may only be a small drop in binge drinking rates. Which, convey that Americans do have a high percentage of binge drinkers. This problem brings up another argument that supporters of lowering the drinking age bring up. Supporters of lowering the MLDA compared America to other countries that have a minimum drinking age of 18. Supporters of lowering the MLDA say that in countries where the drinking age 18 young people drink smarter. John McCardell points out some interesting statistic he states" in southern European countries ratios of all drinking occasions to intoxication occasions were quite low roughly one in ten while in the United States, almost half of all Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 17. Lowering Drinking Age Lowering the Drinking Age In The United States, the government has set certain rules and limits on society for reasons such as protection, safety, stability, order, and success. For example, in 1984, The U.S. gov't has set an age limit on the consumption of alcohol, in order to lead safer and healthier lives. One reason it is believed to be safer if one cannot drink alcohol until the age of 21, is because the brain has not fully developed and the consumption of alcohol will interfere with that development. But is it really safer if the drinking age is 21, rather than 18? Many people will believe that it is safer, because that's what the gov't tells them, but those people will often fail to see the whole picture. Other than brain development,...show more content... Because the drinking age is lower in other countries, such as Europe, the drinking that occurs there demonstrates moderate, responsible alcohol intake and allows teenagers to ease into drinking at their own pace. One of the main reasons of binge drinking, drinking in unsafe environments, and alcohol related accidents is because teenagers enjoy the thrill of being able to do something that is illegal. However, in countries such as Europe, having a glass of wine at dinner or a beer while watching television, isn't anything out of the ordinary to them. Since their parents allow it, because the government allows it, there is no real motive to hide in a basement or dorm room and binge drink. They are also provided with a safe environment with legal adults who will know how to react in a dangerous situation. Often when teenagers are drinking and faced with a dangerous issue, such as if someone is too drunk and unconscious, they flee the scene in fear of getting in trouble. Any legal adult would take the right actions and give that person the treatment and care he or she needs or take them to seek medical help. That kind of care can be seen in other countries, where it is not wrong for an adult to be at the scene with teenagers drinking if it is legal. If the drinking age remains 21 here, there will be less and less adults at a scene of underage kids drinking, and therefore there will be no supervision if something goes wrong. According to the World Health Organization, 15 and 16 year old teens in many European states, where the drinking age is 18 and often not enforced, although have more drinking occasions per month, they have fewer dangerous, intoxication occasions than their American Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 18. Argumentative Essay: Lowering The Drinking Age SUMMARY Lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18 will delay underage drinking, as well as terrible injuries or deaths that result from such conduct. Keeping the drinking age at 21 is driving to more cases of binge drinking in a short time because it has become a ritual among this age group. However by lowering the drinking age to 18, the binge drinking practice will decline, because it will demystify the drunken experience therefore viewed the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages becomes a disciplined behavior. Roughly 11 million young Americans consume alcohol, and an upsetting number of them drink way too much, for the purpose of my research, described as guzzling five or more drinks in a row, one or more times in a two–week period. ...show more content... Prohibiting this age group from drinking in bars, restaurants, and other licensed locations causes them to drink in unsupervised places such as fraternity houses or house parties where they may be more prone to binge drinking and other unsafe behavior. Considering the societal impact of binge drinking (by the numbers) and the marketed number of young Americans' lives spared by MLDA–21 since its inception it behooves politicians to change the federally coerced prohibition law and to teach responsible drinking techniques for those who chose to consume alcoholic beverages. The records show that as a nation we have two strikes on prohibition laws that failed in the past (Thornton, 1991) notwithstanding, the general good intent for controlling irresponsible drinking problems. The non for profit organization Choose Responsibility (CHOOSE RESPONSIBILITY), pro–lowering MLDA–21, openly publishes statistics that on the surface would validate the current prohibition stance, however when analyzed by removing any cognitive biases those who genuinely care can see that despite the MLDA–21 law, an alarming number of underage Americans are drinking, and many are drinking worryingly. "Alcohol is a reality in the lives of young Americans. It cannot be denied, ignored, or legislated away" (CHOOSE Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 19. Essay on Lower the Drinking Age To 18 The age of drinking has been an issue in our country for a long time and there are many regards on why the age is set at 21. The federal government should not impose a drinking age of 21. The drinking age should be lowered to the age of 18 for the following reasons; one, most people between the age of 18–20 are drinking alcohol already, and two, you should have the right to purchase alcohol when you reach the age of 18, because that is the age when you are considered and adult and have many rights and freedom. It is common to find people under the age of 21 in the possession of alcohol. In allot of gatherings such as Faternity and High Shool parties, drinking is the main thing going...show more content... The High School students drink to and a friday night for them and college students usually has alcohol involved in it. In allot of cases, many upper classmates will buy the lower classmates alcohol and even go and get drunk with them on the weekends. It is very easy to get alcohol and this shows that consuming alcohol at the age of 18 is tolerant. So I don't see why the government makes a law that most people don't follow anyways. The second reason to change the legal drinking age to 18 is because you are considered to be an adult at this age. When you are 18 you have the right to vote, get married, go to war, buy a gun, and plus your prosecuted as an adult when your charged with a crime. That same person, however, cannot walk into the bar after a hard days work and enjoy a glass of beer or wine. That's funny that the government basically says that when your 18 you can go to war and die for your country and then says that same person
  • 20. is not responsible enough when it comes to drinking. This is a violation to ones freedom as an adult. Alcohol has been a topic among people under the age of 21 for a long time. Many underage people can and will get alcohol if they want it, there is always someone out there who will buy it for them. Nevertheless the legal age to drink and purchase alcohol should be change from 21 to 18, because of the reason Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 21. Lowering The Drinking Age To 18 Essay Proponents of lowering the drinking age legally from 21 to18 years have done nothing to stop teen drinking, but it has instead pushed underage to drink in private and less controlled environments. This has led to not only more health behavior but also life endangering ones too by teens. Those against this move argue that at 18, teens are not capable of controlling of handling alcohol responsibly thus they can easily harm or even themselves as well as others by drinking prior to 21 years. Even though many people believe that those below the age of 21 are prohibited from taking alcohol, the research shows that in 29 states, teens take alcohol on private premises with even the concept of their parents. Some countries within the United States have...show more content... One of these issues is the fact that at the age of 18 one is considered an adult in the United States, an adult should, therefore, be allowed to make a decision on whether to take alcohol or not. At the age of 18, one receives various rights and responsibilities like a like to vote, serving on juries, getting married, smoking a cigarette as well as entering into various contracts. If one is allowed to make such life–risking decisions, even drinking should be permitted. By allowing teens aged between 18 and 20 years to take alcohol in environments that are regulated and with supervision would decrease activities of unsafe drinking. Through prohibition of teens to take alcohol in restaurants, bars, and other licensed locations, makes them turn to unsupervised places like fraternity houses. And house parties where they are even more prone to binge drinking as well as unsafe behavior. Traffic fatalities and accidents are mainly common among the drinkers who are newly legal regardless of the MLDA. According to the research, the highest number of accidents is primarily caused by those aged 24 years. These drivers cause these accidents as a result of alcohol Get more content on HelpWriting.net