Benefits of Reduced Drinking Age - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1437 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/07/01 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Lowering The Drinking Age Essay Did you like this example? In July of 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which denied highway funds to those states that failed to raise the legal alcohol age to 21.He also claimed ice cream to be a â€Å"nutritious and wholesome† food, to which he dedicated the month of July to. Despite President Reagan being a notably smart man, this could perhaps be a sign that not all high ranking politicians are the best decision makers. The debate on whether the United States drinking age should be lowered to the age of 18 or maintained at 21 has been an ongoing controversial dispute for years now. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Benefits of Reduced Drinking Age" essay for you Create order The United Kingdom, along with a considerable amount of other countries possess a constitutional drinking age of 18. It is argued that if the age is reduced, adolescents are at a higher risk of endangering themselves and those around them with impaired driving, increased sexual assault, and alcohol dependance. However, there are several other present factors that played a role in the drop of alcohol induced driving. Additionally, the present drinking age of 21 has not put an end to underage drinking, and if anything, has increased it. The U.S drinking age should be reduced to the age of 18, which is the age of majority in this country. Other countries drinking age The minimum drinking ages around the globe vary drastically. The current age that an adolescent is capable of legally buying or consuming alcohol in the United States is 21. The United Kingdom has obtained a drinking age of 18 since they passed the Licensing Act of 2003, and there has been insufficient issues dealing with underage drinking. In fact, a lot of adolescents actually refrain from abusing alcohol when they are told that they are allowed to. Because younger people are often attracted to what they cant have, when they are told to abstain from an activity, it only makes them want to do it more. According to Jacqueline Howard, author of the article, â€Å" The countries where drinking is banned until 25 or allowed at 13†, â€Å"many European countries have recently seen a drop in alcohol use that mirrors the number of adolescents abstaining from drinking altogether†. Moreover, the majority of other parts of the world also retain a drinking age that is lower than the U.S drinking age, most commonly being 18 years of age. The reason that these countries are able to have a lower drinking age with minimal complications is because unlike the U.S, alcohol is not seen as a poison or a magic remedy, and there is little to no social pressures to drink. These young adults observe and learn how to consume alcoholic beverages responsibly from their parents at home, and thoughtless behavior is never tolerated. Factors leading to less alcohol induced driving The majority believe that the drop in alcohol induced car accidents was due to the passing of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act in 1984, however that is not the primary cause. One of the main factors in the decrease of alcohol induced driving is the expansion of education on drunk driving. Adolescents and even adults are constantly being reminded of the dangers of drinking and driving, and ways to prevent it. Furthermore, taxi services such as uber and lyft have become more prominent and popular for those fond of getting intoxicated safely. Another factor that led to less alcohol induced driving is the introduction of designated drivers. These are drivers who are sober, and responsibly drive themselves and their friends home after a wild night out. Modern vehicles are also enhanced with several safety features, such as cruise control, and sensors that will stop the car if it appears to be too close to another object. In addition, many communities have adjusted the speed limit t o a slower speed and added speed bumps, which ultimately will cause less damage is a crash is to occur. The U.S has also introduced stronger laws against drunk driving, with punishments including but not limited to: suspended license, probation, fines, and even jail time. According to Olsen, author of â€Å"Alcohol in America:Taking Action to Prevent Abuse,† â€Å"Many other strategies also have the potential to significantly reduce drunk driving. Together with the law, these strategies can have a major effect.† If we incorporate the new and better enforced laws on driving under the influence, along with the education and safety precautions used now, there is no reason that an 18 year old would be less safe or responsible than a 21 year old. Underage drinking still occurs The U.S drinking age was raised to the age of 21 in order to keep teenagers away from the dangers that involve alcohol. However, adolescents are constantly associated with alcohol, no matter the legal status. The youths in this country continue to consume the stimulant, only now they handle it in private and less controlled environments. This leads to more health and life endangering behavior. According to Gabrielle Glaser, author of â€Å"Return the Drinking Age to 18, and Enforce It†, â€Å"Raising the drinking age hasnt reduced drinking it’s merely driven it underground, to the riskiest of settings: unsupervised high school blowouts and fraternity parties that make Animal House look quaint.† Adolescents try to hide when they drink from their parents, thus leading to them driving under the influence to disguise it. This also prompts these young adults to be dishonest to their family and are often found in dangerous situations that could be detrimental to thei r health. This is known as â€Å"underground drinking.† As an example, teenagers will often feel the need to be dishonest to their family about their whereabouts in order to venture out and consume alcoholic beverages. If their parents are unaware of their location, they will be blinded to any of the threats that can come to their child. Reducing the drinking age to 18 years of age will allow adolescents to drink alcohol in a more secure and safe environment, rather than in a irresponsible manner. The age of Majority In the United States, 18 is the age that is most highly celebrated amongst young adults. It is the year to celebrate graduating from a child, to an adult. And with this celebration, comes responsibility. At the age of 18, a person can legally buy a lottery ticket and officially gamble away as much money as they wish. This is also the age that a person can legally purchase and smoke cigarettes, which is known to be harmful and cause lung problems and cancers. That is why it is recognized as the â€Å"age of majority†. The age of 18 is when most teens receive the majority of adult rights and responsibilities. As an 18 year old, a person can risk their life to fight for this country, but they cant drink a beer? According to Monica Acevedo, author of â€Å" The drinking age should be lowered†, â€Å" under the eye of the law, we are trusted and believed to be able to comply with these opportunities and responsibilities without any issues. After all, we are adults, right?à ¢â‚¬  People of the age of 18, are capable of adopting and caring for a child, but yet are not responsible enough to purchase alcohol. This is the age when adolescents are hit with a bountiful amount of rights and responsibilities, some being dangerous and permanent. For instance, a young transgender teen is legally permitted to permanently go through a sex change operation, but is not rational and mature enough to drink at a bar. If 18 is the age of majority, when teens are to be seen and trusted to make decisions as an adult, they should have the opportunity to legally purchase and consume alcohol. It is no surprise that the consumption of alcohol is familiar among teenagers today, in defiance of the legality of it. There is constant talk of whether the legal alcohol age limit should maintained at the age of 21, or reduced to the age of majority, 18, like most countries around the world. Once a teenager reaches the age of 18, they are exposed to a great deal of new opportunities and possibilities. However, with all that, comes the abundance of responsibilities an adult faces also. If an 18 year old is expected to pay bills, vote, and even enroll in the civil service, why are they not allowed to drink responsibly as an adult as well?Nevertheless, these adolescents are continuing to consume alcohol on a regular basis, with no cares of the legal status. In order to do so, they are compelled to drink in an unsafe environment,without the consent or awareness of adults around them, thus putting them more at risk of dangers and health threats.