In 2009, about 10.4 million young people between ages 12 and 20 drank more than “just a few sips” of alcohol (Underage). The drinking age should be lowered to age 18 because teens are considered adults at this age, less people in jail for hosting underage drinking, and teens can be taught responsible drinking. Although there is a negative side to lowering the drinking age because it can cause more motor-vehicle accidents, greater chance for alcohol problems, and the health risk it can cause. There is also warning signs to look for in a teen that is drinking underage the age of 21. Teens that are 18 are looked as adults –Teens at the age of 18 are “adults” they can vote, go get married, serve for the country, go to jury duties, and move …show more content…
(Regional) Teens can be taught responsible drinking, by the Law coming up with permits and issuing them to teens till there about 21 to help them teach to be more responsible with drinking. Teens would be able to use these permits, in supervised areas, such as sport games, restaurants or bars, or even in their own home with their parents supervising them. They can take and complete alcohol related courses and have no alcohol related charges on their record before they are issued this permit that is like a drivers learning permit. (Ogilvie) Teens that do the underage drinking can have many health problems. Health problems that can be caused by underage drinking is Death, serious injuries, impaired judgment, increased risk for physical and sexual assault, brain development problems. All of these health problems are serious, and they aren’t thought about by teens before they have a drink. (Underage) Impaired judgments can be considered irresponsible drinking. Significant increase were also found for other variables: “cutting class after drinking” jumped from 9% to almost 12%; “missing class because of hangover” went from 26% to 28%; “getting lower grades because of drinking” rose from 5% to 7% and “been in a fight after drinking” increased from 12% to 17%; these are examples of irresponsible behavior. (Dr. Ruth) There are a few warning signs that someone who is around teens a lot, or is a parent can look for if
In conclusion by lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18 years of age, more positive outcomes exist than negative ones. A lower drinking age will allow for those of age to have a chance to learn a better sense of responsibility, decrease alcohol related incidents and provide several health benefits. As a legal adult those between the ages of 18 and 21 deserve the right to make the decision of whether they would like to participate in the consumption of alcohol or
Every year, thousands of minors die from the use of alcohol. Many young adults abuse the drinking age policy. It is put in effect for substantial reasons, which contribute in making the safest environment for all. Drinking underage is not only illegal, but also damages one’s health tremendously. Furthermore, drinking in large amounts is extremely dangerous and can cause detrimental things to occur. There have been numerous attempts to create a law to lower the drinking age, but none have gone through. In contrast to what some people may say, the drinking age should not be lowered because it would decrease maturity, promote poor behavior, and damage reputations.
Most people would concur that alcohol should not be given to teenagers. Despite the fact that we concede to this essential truth, underage drinking is still a noteworthy issue in our nation. Since adolescents need development and information with regards to liquor, they put themselves, as well as others in incredible danger when they decide to consume. Regardless of the risk, there are individuals out there who believe that the drinking age should be lowered.
According to Alexis Aguirre in The University Star, “Keeping the minimum legal drinking age at 21 will not dissuade young people who want to indulge in reckless alcohol intake. If anything, the age limit encourages binge drinking. Lowering the drinking age could make it easier to regulate consumption among younger adults as well as encourage healthy drinking habits” (Aguirre). Sure enough, if the drinking age were lowered to 18 it would avoid the illegal, abused intake of alcohol by 18 year olds. According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, “Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking” (U.S Department of Health and Human Services). A way of avoiding such tragedies is lowering the drinking age to 18, teaching younger
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
An abundance of people start to drink during young adulthood. In the last 30 days roughly 39% of high schoolers drank some amount of alcohol (CDC). Alcohol has been around for tens of thousands of years and it’s always been an underlying issue. My question is, “Why should we lower the legal drinking age”? Current proposals to lower the minimum legal drinking age to 18 would have some benefits like increasing revenue for bars and liquor stores. However the risks surpass the benefits. Many people think that if you’re 18 you’re portrayed as an adult, you’re old enough to serve your country, vote, and make your own decisions. In some cases this could be true, but lowering the drinking age would be way too risky for themselves and others. There was a telephone survey done in Princeton, NJ on July 12-15, 2007 that questioned 1,001 people 18 and older if the minimum legal drinking age should be lowered to 18. The results were 77% of the people said that they would disagree with this proposal, and only 22% said that they would support it (Carroll). The minimum drinking age of 21 should not be lowered to 18, because 18 year olds tend to drink in a different way than more matured adults drink. They’re irresponsible when it comes to drinking because they drink to get drunk. As a result, there are more DUI arrests, the motor vehicle accident rate increases, and binge drinking raises health concerns.
Should the United States follow other countries in their quest to end the debate on the drinking age? The United States can take a look at other States such as: Germany, the Netherlands and France, and see how successful they are. Many teenagers would jump on the bandwagon of lowering the drinking age just because they want to have the ability to drink, the argument of being able to die for the United States but can’t drink and it would take away the “Forbidden Fruit” of drinking. Much of the older generations would jump on the bandwagon of keeping the drinking age the same because they had to wait to drink, because drinking has adverse effects on the brain and drinking could lead to binge drinking.
In the article Why the Drinking Age should be Lowered, Ruth Engs believes that the drinking age should be lowered to about 18 or 19. Engs is a Professor at Indiana University in the Health and Sciences department. In this article Engs makes a valid point in that “responsible drinking could be taught through role modeling and educational programs.” Engs also states facts about the different drinking ages in other countries, and that the United States has the highest legal purchasing age for alcoholic beverages in the world.
Unsupervised and driven underground, underage drinking has gained widespread popularity in America’s youth, even claiming victims such as the former President Bush’s 19 year-old daughter. At 18 years of age, a citizen can purchase a gun and tobacco, enlist in the military, get married, vote, and be tried as an adult in court but yet as an “adult” they still do not possess the right to purchase nor consume alcohol legally. The drinking age should be lowered to 18 years of age because adults should be able to make their own decisions, it is safer for the youth in America, and with alcohol education classes instilled in schools at a young age, the younger citizens will be exposed to responsible drinking habits so it reduces the enticement factor
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
The drinking age should be lowered because those under 21 can buy guns, vote, and join the Military at 18. Since 18 is the legal adult age, people should have the right to make their own decision to buy alcohol. It is important because colleges and universities are allowing alcohol consumption which legally might help cut down alcohol related deaths in colleges.
In the 1970’s, the topic of the legal drinking age grew very popular; most states decided to lower it from 21 to 18 because that was the age to vote and enlist in the army. However, during the 90’s the age was raised back to 21 (Drinking). This was because teens were the most common drunk drivers. “When the drinking age was raised”, there were positive effects, “the number of fatal crashes involving a young driver dropped significantly, from 61% in 1982 to 31% in 1995” (Christensen). But the argument is still here, if one can go to war, why should he or she not be able to take the edge off and indulge in alcoholic beverages? There are compelling arguments for each side, but the drinking age should not be lowered.
Debates related to the legal age of alcohol consumption have been going on for many years. While some feel that 21 should remain as the legal minimum consumption age, others disagree. By examining different aspects of alcohol consumption such as social motives and health related concerns one is more able to fully grasp the role that alcohol plays in our society. Through research and analyzation one can come to the conclusion that a lowered legal drinking age is not the answer. The legal drinking age should not be lowered to 18 because the history of alcohol in the United States, culture of intoxication, and negative effects of alcohol consumption show that a lowered drinking age would not benefit society.
What do many teens hope to become? Adults; teens want to be seen as respected adults and have the same privileges as adults. One privilege that teens don’t have is to be allowed to drink at the age of eighteen. Before an experienced adult would answer this question of whether or not teens should be allowed to drink, they need to ask themselves – should eighteen-year olds drink? Some people say yes because teenagers are responsible for their actions and should be able to have a little more leniency. Others say no, because teenagers are more likely to get into trouble with alcohol use and possible accidents due to drinking and driving. However a person looks at this argument, teenagers should be able to make their own decisions in life and learn from their mistakes.
Have you ever heard of underage drinking? Well, it's a serious problem that happens's every day. Within this article, you will find all the problems that happen because of underage drinking. The CDC ( Center for Disease Control) did a study on underage drinking it states. That "Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States". Also, the legal drinking age is 21 and people 12 to 20 are 11% consumers of alcohol. Then before this study in 2010 drinking took 4,300 lives of youth each year. It's a proven fact that most underage drinkers consume more drinks then adult drinkers. In 2010 189,000 emergency room visits were for underage drinkers or condition dealing with underage drinkers. Then another study in 2015 had a survey that was given to high school students showed 33% of students drank 18% binge drink 8% drove after drinking 20% rode with a driver who had drunk. High school students who drink are most likely to have school problems,higher absence and poor or failing grades, social problems,fighting,lack of participation in youth activities, legal problems, getting arrested for driving or physically hurting someone while drunk, physical problems, hangovers or illnesses, unplanned, and unprotected sexual activity.