Legal Drinking Age Essay

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Recommended: Effects of alcohol use in society by teens

Why do adults label teenagers as irresponsible? Surely, these older critics were much the same at our age. For example, adults presume that all teenagers are disgraceful when they are exposed to alcohol. However, with the right guidance and support, teenagers can keep within limits and celebrate special occasions with dignity and self-discipline. This is why the legal drinking age should be lowered. Additionally, no matter what laws are in place, teenagers will always drink under age: largely due to curiosity. Stories intrigue younger teenagers to experience the sensation for themselves, through their own experiences.
Many teenagers today are exposed to alcohol. The problem is that most minors are not guided to drink in small quantities; instead, they are tempted to consume overpowering volumes, losing their normal state of mind. It is without sensible adult advice that most teenagers get into trouble, whether it be with other drinkers in the streets or the police. Teenagers need help; they need to be shown how to be responsible. For this purpose, the most efficient method of introducing alcohol to young adolescents is by having an occasional drink with a meal at home, such as many continental families do. In addition, if the individual is 16 it is legal to have beer, wine or cider with a meal in restaurants, so being in an environment with responsible adults is a possible way to introduce alcohol to teenagers in a way that does not promote or condone drunkenness.
Unfortunately, this solution is rarely tried and tested. Many parents simply do not appreciate the lessons that can be learnt through supervised drinking at home, where they can monitor the volume and concentration of alcohol their child consumes. They can also guarante...

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... not to be taken lightly. In addition, from the age of 16, it is legal to get married. Such a major, life-changing commitment is condoned as such a tender age and yet a teenage bride or groom may not be deemed responsible enough for a glass of champagne!
The legal drinking age limit should be lowered, and adult attitudes to alcohol education must be examined: to allow teenagers to celebrate the most memorable moments in life – the moments that only occur once; to allow them to learn their own limits and still be able to enjoy a night out with friends; to allow them a chance to be familiar with familiar, without feeling the need to abuse it. After all, in adulthood everyone is responsible for their own actions, their own lives and their own future, and the sooner we can teach our young people to manage and moderate their own behaviours, the more society will benefit.

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