Why we shouldn t lower the drinking age. Why The Drinking Age In America Should Not Be Lowered To 18: [Essay Example], 1111 words GradesFixer 2022-10-19
Why we shouldn t lower the drinking age
Rating:
8,7/10
1238
reviews
The drinking age in the United States is currently set at 21 years old, and there have been debates about whether or not this age should be lowered. Some argue that the drinking age should be lowered to 18, citing that at this age individuals are considered adults and should be able to make their own decisions about alcohol consumption. Others argue that the drinking age should remain at 21, as research has shown that the brain continues to develop until around the age of 25 and that alcohol can have negative effects on this development.
One argument for lowering the drinking age is that individuals who are 18 years old are considered adults in many other aspects of life. At this age, individuals are able to vote, serve in the military, and enter into legal contracts. It is therefore argued that individuals who are considered adults in these areas should also be able to make their own decisions about alcohol consumption.
However, research has shown that the brain continues to develop until around the age of 25, and alcohol can have negative effects on this development. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control, is one area that is still developing in young adults. This can make individuals who are under the age of 21 more prone to making impulsive and reckless decisions while under the influence of alcohol.
In addition, research has shown that individuals who begin drinking at a young age are more likely to develop alcohol abuse and addiction later in life. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that individuals who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependency than those who begin drinking at the age of 21.
It is also important to consider the public safety implications of lowering the drinking age. Alcohol is a leading contributor to motor vehicle accidents, and lowering the drinking age could lead to an increase in these types of accidents. In fact, when the drinking age was lowered to 18 in the 1970s, there was a significant increase in motor vehicle accidents involving young people.
In conclusion, while there may be some arguments for lowering the drinking age to 18, the evidence shows that the negative consequences of such a decision would outweigh any potential benefits. The drinking age should remain at 21 in order to protect the developing brains of young adults and to promote public safety.
Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered in the US? 13 Pros and Cons
. Eighty-one percent of drivers who were under age 21 and involved in a fatal crash in 2010, had a blood alcohol content higher than. MLDA 21 reduces alcohol consumption and the number of underage drinkers. And with that comes many responsibilities and decisions that can now be made without consents. Whelan My colleagues at the Harvard School of Public Health, where I studied preventive medicine, deserve praise for their study on teenage drinking. The 1976 US Supreme Court case Craig v.
Next
Lower the Drinking Age to 18? (Yes Says Expert and Here’s Why)
This may also lead to chronic problems such as dangerous risk-taking behavior, greater vulnerability to addiction, memory loss, violence, depression, suicidal tendencies, and reduced decision-making ability. Currently, alcohol is the third leading actual cause of death in the U. People below the age of twenty-one should not be able to drink because most of the time they want to go out and drink with their friends after they get their driver's license. So instead of forbidding the alcohol, why not give them what they want in a regulated environment since they are just going to do it anyways. Minimum legal drinking age laws make alcohol sales to minors anyone under age 21 illegal in all states. They also say the minimum drinking age saves lives by reducing the risk of danger to oneself and others. For example, these advocates often point out that if a young adult is old enough to go to war and vote, he should have the power to imbibe alcoholic beverages.
Next
A Millennial's Perspective Of Why We Shouldn't Lower The Drinking Age
At the University of Wisconsin, drink 0-4 drinks when they consume alcohol. This could result in making alcohol less appealing to young adults and may cut back on acting rebellious and breaking the law. As we grow, we tend to not only be responsible for ourselves, but for others, whether it be a child, family member, loved one, etc. Restricting alcohol access to people under 21 means less traffic accidents, less deaths, and more safety for all drivers. Since 1984, all states that had previously lowered their MLDA from 21 have all raised their MLDA back to 21.
Next
The Debate About Lowering the Drinking Age
After getting their license teens are more prone to car accidents without having alcohol in their system, so adding alcohol makes this risk go up. My duughter and her classmates can drive cars, fly planes, marry, vote, pay taxes, and take out loans. All states have their drinking age set at 21, but 45 states have exceptions. There is no denying the fact that there is an issue with alcohol consumption in the U. There are fewer drunk driving accidents in countries with a lower drinking age. If the legal drinking age was lowered, there would also be an increase in sexual assaults among preteens, teens, and young adults. For example 46% of students reported vomiting after drinking, 9% of student cutting class after drinking, 12% of student missing class because of hangover, 26% to 28% of student getting lower grade because of drinking, and 5% to 7% of student been in a fight after drinking.
Next
8 Reasons Why The Drinking Age Should Be Lowered
Above: Every 12 minutes, another person dies in a car accident. This was to ensure that there will be no underage drinking, which today has clearly not been the best idea because underage drinking happens more and more frequently. A majority of states allow for private consumption of alcohol. Lowering the drinking age would result in more public drinking, making it easier for law enforcement to regulate it. Many people have views or opinions on what the legal drinking age should or should not be.
Next
Why the Drinking Age Should NOT be Lowered
The parts of the brain responsible for impulsivity and decision-making are still under construction. People want to enjoy alcohol publically, and as people drink publically it makes it safer because there is no hiding involved. San Diego: ReferencePoint, 2011. According to the NIAAA there are over 88,000 alcohol related deaths annually making it the third most preventable cause of death in the United States. Lastly, a teenager drinking in a bar is definently not a safe environment because many people get killed, raped, drugged and much more in bars and other drinking affiliated environments.
Next
Why the legal drinking age should be lowered to 18 · The Badger Herald
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lots-of-pints-of-beers---man--in-background--566272557-59ca6126054ad90011051c7e.jpg)
It is important to remember that once people turn 21 there is still the opportunity to abuse alcohol, and having preventative measures in place such as a free bus system will reduce the number of vehicular accidents and deaths due to alcohol. The majority of teenagers that want to drink, are already drinking before the age of 21. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance of abuse among young people in America and drinking when you are underage puts your health and safety at risk. This only demonstrates that alcohol can cause a slower response time, but also underage drinkers do not have the ability to prevent an accident. Many states already allow alcohol consumption under the age of 21. The legal drinking age in North America is twenty-one. Binge drinking can cause things like memory loss, blackouts, and anxiety.
Next
Why Drinking Age Shouldn T Be Lowered
During school ages, children need to have a fully functional developing brain in order to be successful student. According to the NIAAA there are over 88,000 alcohol related deaths annually making it the third most preventable cause of death in the United States. An average of What is more, drinking and driving is strongly correlated with youth. Doing this may affect the development of the frontal lobes of the brain in young adults, which will lead to complications regarding emotional regulation, organization, and planning. These statistics alone show the negative repercussions of lowering the drinking age. Drinking should be similarly restricted due to the responsibility required to self and others.
Next
Top 3 Reasons Why the Drinking Age Should Not Be Lowered to 18
Filed Under: Primary Sidebar. The one thing people cannot get back from drinking is their life. They can be suffering from depression, partying with friends, or just want to drink in general to relax and have a good time. People argue that it should be lowered for it is an individual decision and 18 is old enough to make that decision. The causes behind the minimum legal drinking age standardization nationally has not been alleviated in the past couple decades and should be repealed. College students consuming alcohol is inevitable — while not all choose to partake in drinking, many do.
Next