Argument for Raising the Legal Age of Drinking to 21
Madame Chairwoman, and members of the floor, I would like to propose
that by raising the legal age of drinking alcohol to 21, not only
would there be less underage drinkers, but it would save many lives.
You will be shocked to find, that statistics by the British Medicine
Association show that the number of drink-driving accidents caused an
estimated 560 deaths in 2003. How could anyone argue that we should
not raise the drinking age, if we are able to save lives? Surely
saving at least a few lives is better than none?
If we raised the age limit, then the government would definitely be
stricter on ID, because they would need to check everyone’s ID to make
sure they are 21 or over. This will prevent people under 21s to buy
alcohol. Furthermore, the police would have to deal with less alcohol
related crimes, so they can concentrate on other crimes and accidents.
Not only are there short consequences like car accidents, increased
violence, suicide, and risky behaviour such as unprotected sexual
activity, Dr Dufour, Deputy director of NIAAA said, that there are
findings which show a much greater risk of long-term alcohol–related
problems. If the age limit is too low, many teenagers will not realise
the health risks caused by drinking.
The myth that drinking could benefit your health is a false claim.
Alcohol has been linked to a wide range of illnesses, such as the
increased risk of getting cancer, high blood pressure, liver disease,
and lots more. Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to social
and psychological consequences.
Some may argue that we can fight for our country at eighteen but we
are not able to drink. Yes, you are handed a gun when you join our
military, but this is for a good cause. You are handed a beer, but
that is not helping our country in any way. Also, by going through the
military training, you will most likely come out a better, more mature
A political problem that has been argued over since prohibition is the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA). This is a controversial subject because many believe that the legal drinking age should be lowered from 21 to 18 years old. “In the 1970’s the 26th amendment was passed which lowered the legal voting age, this caused 30 US states to lower their MLDA to 18, 19, or 20 which left 14 states with a MLDA of 21 by 1982” (Minimal Legal Drinking Age, 1). But reports later showed an increase in teenage car accidents in states with a lower MLDA; these states soon changed the MLDA back to 21.
The brains’ final stage of development is at the age of twenty-five, which is the final stage of development for risky behavior. Should the United States really lower the drinking age to eighteen? There are many circumstances why the United States should not allow drinking at such a young age, but many feel they should. Starting to drink alcohol at such a young age leads to alcoholism, drunk driving, and has dangerous consequences on the body.
As long as adolescents are informed about what is right and wrong, the drinking age being at 18 will not affect amount deaths due to alcohol. In fact, many high schools courses are being taught to teach adolescents what is right and wrong in different situations that involve alcohol. These classes usually start in middle school and go all the way to high school, and even college. They teach adolescents what binge drinking is and how it is extremely dangerous. Online lessons started in in 2001 where “outside the Classroom, Inc. introduces AlcoholEdu, a three-hour online course designed to educate college students on the dangers of excessive drinking” (ProQuest Staff). Teaching young adults how drink responsibly at a younger age allows them to learn what is right and wrong as their brain is developing. This allows them to be aware when they start drinking, instead of allowing them to make stupid mistakes on their
7. No party member can have a weapon in his possession while drunk or loaded off narcotics or weed.
The controversy on the proper drinking age is one that has been repeatedly discussed and researched over the years. Its common to hear the argument “If someone is old enough to take a bullet for their country, they should be allowed to drink alcohol.” But is that enough justification? Some would say no. “According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) it is estimated that in 2004 there were more than 1,700 student deaths, 599,000 injuries, and 696,000 assaults annually associated with excessive drinking” (Fennell 247). Given these numbers, would lowering the drinking age really be the best thing for America’s youth?
Briar Clay Mrs. Bauch 05-16-16 Persuasive Speech Lowering the Drinking Age to 18 How many of you would like the chance to purchase an alcoholic beverage by the time you turn 18? Today I am going to go over some pros and cons of lowering the drinking age to 18. This is something I believe should be done in Iowa, or even the whole nation. Upon researching this topic I learned that ever since the drinking age was increased to 21 years of age more people have died from drug overdose. Another fact about drug overdose is that it has increased 102% since the increase in the drinking age.
All 50 states have set the minimum legal drinking age to 21, although some states have made exceptions. Raising the drinking age to 21 in order to avoid teenage drinking has instead created excessive drinking in private places, therefore producing more danger (“Minimum”). The national drinking age was raised from 18 to 21 in 1984; it was not until 1988 that all 50 states had a minimum legal drinking age of 21 (Wechsler and Nelson 986). Drinking underage is permitted in certain circumstances in 45 of the states; 29 states allow it on private property under parental consent, 25 states allow it for religious purposes, and 11 for educational purposes (“Minimum”). Lowering the minimum drinking age is ineffective and would benefit the economy, it
Teen drinking is a huge problem today in America. Statistics show that teens are starting to drink younger and younger and that is a huge problem that if not corrected will be catastrophic. How long will we allow underage drinking to plague our society? How long until enough is enough and someone stands up? If something is not done soon it might be too late! It seems like every time one turns on the news there is a story about a teen being killed or injured due to alcohol. Teen drinking has gotten worse and worse over the years making one think why isn't the government doing anything real to stop this epidemic. The laws that are already in place are obviously not working so the government is just not doing their job. Parents are also to blame letting their kids drink and sometimes even buying it for their teens. The drinking age is twenty-one but all these teens are still getting alcohol. At this time I believe the drinking age should stay at twenty-one until there are stricter punishment for alcohol abuse.
Turning 18, one becomes an adult, however there are still many things that are restricted and not allowed until one reaches an even older age. The most controversial today is the minimum legal drinking age. Much like in the 1920s, when prohibition was established by the 18th amendment and all alcohol was banned from the United States, underground binge drinking occurred resulting in the opposite of what the law was intended to do. Then in 1933, the 21st amendment overturned that law, making alcohol legal again. Further down the timeline, in 1980 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) was founded to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and overall push for stricter alcohol policy. From their efforts, the federal government put in place a law that would revoke ten percent of any states highway funding who did not have their minimum legal drinking age set to 21. Immediately in 1984, all states raised their legal drinking ages to 21 in fear of being withheld the funding. Today, 30 years later, the law is still in place, however a debate has sprung up in support of lowering the drinking age back to 18. The group Amethyst Initiative, which has gained support from prestigious universities such as Dartmouth, Duke, and Virginia Tech, started this uproar. Through this, the question emerged, should the legal drinking age be lowered back to 18, and what would result if it happens? There are three positions on this issue. Position one wants to keep the drinking age as is, like Matt Nagin in “Top 3 Reasons Why the Drinking Age Should Not be Lowered.” Position two wants the legal drinking age to be lowered back to 18, like Dale Archer M.D. in “The Pros and Cons of Drinking at 18.” And position th...
Adolescence is a time for teens to grow and mature into young adults. However, sometimes growing up takes a wrong turn when illegal substances are involved such as alcohol. Underaged drinking increases the risk for academic failure, and illegal drug or tobacco use. Underaged drinking also increases the risk for crime, health problems, and death. In 1984, an act was put in place to raise all fifty states’ minimum drinking age to 21; this act unfortunatley does not completely prevent underaged drinking, however it has helped save approximately 17,000 lives from alcohol related fatalities (Get Involved). Alcohol is a poison, and by lowering the legal drinking age to eighteen, you will be supporting the annihilation of our nation.
Unsupervised, underage drinking has become an epidemic throughout the world, but in the in America more than anywhere else. Even the president’s 19 year old daughter has been arrested for underage drinking. America has the highest legalized drinking age in the world. In fact, only four countries in the world have a legalized drinking age over 18. When we turn 18 in America we are supposed to be adults, but then what is the 21 age mark it is like we get an adult trial version for three years without some freedoms but with all the consequences. For example a twenty-year old, wounded soldier from Iraq can vote, get married, and be tried as an adult, but he can’t even buy a drink! Apparently, we value the condition of his social life more than life itself. Hundreds if not thousands of soldiers have experienced the same scenario. This is nothing new, there is a long history of alcohol ageism.
The legal drinking age has been a highly controversial topic since the prohibition. After the prohibition in 1933 the legal drinking age was either set or lowered to the age of 18 in states such as North Carolina, New York, Florida and a few others. There are both pros and cons to lowering the legal drinking age. There are many cons to lowering the drinking age, such as; medical studies have shown in young adults that the consumption of alcohol may interfere with the development of the individual’s brain but more specifically the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe handles the functions of the brain; such as organization, and planning, and even emotional regulation. “When alcohol consumption interferes with this early adult brain development, the
Another argument often used by those opposing lowering the legal drinking age brings up the fact that the brain doesn’t completely develop until the age of 20 to 25. If this is the case than why do we let 18 year olds vote and sign contracts. If they are viewed as adults in the eyes of the law then why is it we don’t treat them like they are adults. Another major issue brought up for young adults is that it is legal for 18 year olds to purchase and use cigarettes and other tobacco products, but it is illegal for 18 to drink alcohol. Congress is not being consistent with these laws, restricting young adults to their new found freedoms. An even larger argument how is a man old enough to enlist in the military and fight for our so called freedoms and liberties when 18, 19, and 20 year olds aren’t even old enough to have the privilege of a drink. “If you get shot at, you can have a shot.” Says Alaska State Representative, Bob Lynn. Lynn also served as a veteran in vietnam and tried to establish a drinking age for 18 year olds that are currently active members of the military. I believe that if a man is old enough to go to war and perhaps even have to kill someone than it is unreasonable and unjust not to let those men enjoy a cold one. These young men and women are considered adults and it is wrong not to treat them with the respect and responsibility they deserve as adults.
Despite the problems that would arise, many people are beginning to feel that the drinking age should be lowered from twenty-one to eighteen. Studies have been made; however, no hard evidence suggesting lowering the minimum drinking age would help have surfaced. Although there are countless studies of how alcohol has many harmful effects on teenagers, there is a great deal of negative criticism about what if the drinking age is lowered. Some would say the morally right decision is to not allow teens the chance to hurt themselves. Everyone is entitled to having his or her own opinions and beliefs. However, the overall health of the youth of our country seems a little more important than some personal belief. The drinking age should not be lowered due to the fact drunk driving, juvenile delinquency, and alcohol-related medical issues related to teens will increase.
The legal drinking age is the age which one has to attain to be protected by the law when purchasing or drinking alcohol in the given country. The national minimum drinking age act of 1984 raised the legal drinking age from the previous 18 years to 21 years (Carpenter & Carlos). The enactment of the law saw the United States get into a group of four states in the world where the legal drinking age is above 18 years with the other three countries being Japan, South Korea, and Iceland. In the recent past, arguments have been advanced on whether the legal drinking age in the United States should be lowered to eighteen years or remain at 21 years. Studies indicate that more than half of the United States citizens are against lowering the legal drinking age. Most of those in opposition of lowering the drinking age are older citizens while most of the young citizens are pro lowering the drinking age. The government of the