Lower Drinking Age: Good Idea or Extremely Dangerous

Abstract

The start occurred when instructed to find a prompt for an argument. The prompt was found on ProCon. This website lists many controversial topics with pros and cons. One stood out and it was the argument if the drinking age should be lowered. From there sources need to be found to give extra information for any claims that will be made. Although ProCon provided many sources, the ones chosen were from simple Google searches. Then it was time to begin the drafting process. When that process was done a final check occurred to make sure it was stellar. Finally it was handed in on Turnitin and printed.

Underage drinking is a very large problem today. Many young people are still able to get their hands on alcohol even though it’s illegal. This voices the argument should the drinking age be lowered or should it remain stagnant at twenty one. There are many who believe it’s not a huge problem because eighteen to twenty year olds will still find a way to drink. Others say it’s dangerous and irresponsible.

One argument for the drinking age to remain stagnant would be the amount of alcohol consumption. When young people drink they don’t do it responsibly. The concern here would be the issue of binge drinking. Binge drinking is when a person drinks more alcohol than their body should have in short succession. The most prominent people who binge drink are college students. Those who see how prominent this problem has become including MADD, have the stance that the drinking age should not be lowered since it will encourage binge drinking. The president of MADD has spoken on this drinking age issue in an interview with CBS. She was quoted saying:

“It saved over 1,000 young people's lives every year for the last 24 years. Why would we go back? We tried this in the '70s and '80s. It simply did not work then; alcohol-related fatalities went up in that age group” (CBS).

Drew Saylor also sides with MADD. She believes the current drinking age is working well. She discusses the underlying dangers in the process of alcohol consumption. One very large concern would be the health of young people. This is shown by her statement in which she says:

“Heavy alcohol use among college students is a serious public health concern and has led to tragic consequences for many young people, families, and communities.” (Saylor, Drew 2011).

College kids do not understand that they may be risking their health to have “fun”. They may not see any problems now however as they get older they may have problems with alcohol. One example could be a broken family dynamic This includes the likelihood of developing a problem with alcohol abuse when they get older. This is supported when she says:

“Alcohol use at a younger age in general can have lasting repercussions such as an increased likelihood of alcohol-related disorders and substance abuse in adulthood” (Saylor, Drew 2011).

However, many people disagree with these arguments. These people discuss how young adults from the ages of 18-21 are able to do many other things that are considered dangerous. Some examples could be driving without serving in the military as well as driving. This argument has supported by many groups. One group is “Choose Responsibility”. One of this groups main concerns is to lower the drinking age, but emphasizes the importance of drinking responsibly. One service they desire includes classes on the importance of safe drinking habits. It also discusses how parents should be responsible for showing their children safe drinking habits. In the article it says:

“The 21-year-old drinking age ties the hands of parent and places them in an untenable position. They must either ignore the reality of alcohol consumption among young people and forbid their children from drinking or break the law by serving alcohol to their under-21 children. Neither option is acceptable to a responsible parent, or in a society governed by rule of law. Parents need to be re-enfranchised, again involved in the process of teaching their children how to make informed, healthy decisions about alcohol and its use” (McCardell, John).

Alcohol is a very awkward conversation for young people. The reason being many of have been subjected to it or have drank. Even with the current regulations young people still manage to get alcohol. The reason could have something to do with the idea of being a rebel. In their mindset if something tells them no, it wants them want to do it even more. Perhaps with a lower drinking age not as many young people will find drinking as fun. However, personal opinions aside, it’s subject to people and their beliefs.

References:

""A Spirited Debate on a Lower Drinking Age."" 2008, August 20. CBS. Date Accessed January 7, 2019.

McCardell, John. ""Drinking age - Choose Responsibility."" (n.a.). John McCardell - Drinking age - Choose Responsibility. Date Accessed January 9, 2019.

Saylor, D. 2011. Heavy Drinking on College Campuses: No Reason to Change Minimum Legal Drinking Age of 21. Journal of American College Health.

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