Many argue that part of the appeal of underage drinking is the fact that you are not supposed to be doing it. This is a point that has been proven time and again with other things such as prohibition. Just because you make something illegal it does not mean that people are just going to stop doing it. One strong argument many people may have against the drinking age being 21 is that it is legal for people of the age of 18 to purchase tobacco products. Another product of having a higher age for drinking is that, often teens and young adults binge drink and aren’t used to having any sort of alcohol consumption and have too much at one time.
Prohibition had not stopped people from drinking; neither will a law stating a legal age limit. Many teens have tried alcohol at least once in their life, even some as young as 5th grade. There is a lot of peer pressure, and the idea of looking and being 'cool' is what makes these teens try alcohol. However, lowering the drinking age to eighteen would decrease that problem, of course it would not stop those under eighteen from drinking, but that can be somewhat controlled by parents and adults in the lives of the youths. If the age limit was lowered the alcohol would no longer be a forbidden, therefore it would not be as appealing as it would normally.
Currently, college students mainly drink due to the convenience of accessibility to obtain substances from older acquaintances or friends who also enjoy having a good time. As a result, the Mother’s Against Drunk Driving and federal experts in health regulation have consistently fought to prevent the alcohol industry from altering the drinking age (Kirszner, Mandell 458). Furthermore, it is unethical and immoral practice for parents to be allowing minors to consume alcohol, as this is also illegal and detrimental to one’s overall growth and development. Although some countries in Europe may argue otherwise, intoxication levels are higher in Britain, Denmark and Ireland,
At 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 1920 months, the United States of America became a dry nation. The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution prohibited Americans from manufacturing, selling, or transporting alcoholic beverages, for the next 12 years, 10 months, and 18 days until its repeal on December 5, 1953. (The Prohibition Era, Louise Chipley Slavicek) Many people have different opinions on prohibition and how it shaped our nation, for better or worse. Some people believe it was a noble cause, and many believe it was a big mistake. Prohibition was a mistake because it took away people’s freedom of choice to decide for themselves whether to consume alcohol; people who want to consume alcohol will still be able to make it or purchase from illegal sources; alcohol made from illegal sources pose a threat to the health and safety of the consumer; leads to loss of taxes and jobs; and criminal organizations will profit from prohibition leading to increased illegal activities.
Also today, a teenager can easily provide himself or herself alcohol. 21 is largely ineffective and majority of teens continue to consume alcohol. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, underage drinking accounts for 17.5% ($22.5 billion) of consumer spending for alcohol in the United States. In 2006, 72.2% of twelfth graders reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lives.I think it is very wrong and unnecessary to prohibit alcohol for them and just cause trouble when they get
As you can see, the seriousness of alcoholism is by far worse than what most teenagers may think it is. Lowering the drinking age that the law requires in California will not make anything more useful. Drinking at a young age could be harmful towards you, your brain, and also to others. Permitting a minor to use alcohol will also increase the percentage
For example, in Europe the drinking age ranges from 14 to 18, and other countries have no drinking age at all. In Jeff Frantz’s article “Europeans Learn Responsible Drinking” he states, “You’re allowed to drink earlier in Europe so you get used to experiences with alcohol earlier, so when you’re 18, you’re more responsible about it and can take care of yourself and your friends.” Alcohol is easier to buy and consume in Europe, unlike in America where it is harder to purchase, so young Americans have a hard time handling
Yet there are sensible solutions in handling this growing problem. Current laws and policies dictate that alcohol is and inherited evil substance and that only abstinence from alcohol should be accepted. While some people do choose to stay completely away from alcohol it should never eliminate the need for honest, open discussion about drinking. Just like anything else in life, drinking responsibly is something that must be learned. We expect teens and young adults to stay completely away from alcohol and never have one drink until their 21st birthday.
Drinking Age Some argue to keep the drinking age at 21 because the brain does not finish maturing until the age of 25. It is even worse to have people drinking at age 18. Setting the drinking age at 21 has not stopped teen drinking; instead, it has increased underage binge drinking, leading to more health and life-endangering behavior by teens. Because alcohol affects everyone drastically, the drinking age should remain at 21 to keep young adults from having poor health and making poor decisions. One statistic that would argue for raising the drinking age is an examination of death rates from homicide and vehicle accidents.
When someone tells me not to do something, it makes me want to do it more. If I'm allowed to do something I don't do it as much, because I know I can do it whenever, without consequences. Most teens are scared of getting caught and calling their parents to come get them, because they can't drive home. So teens get in their cars and drive home, avoiding getting in trouble. If the drinking age was lowered, they would legally be allowed to drink.