The Minimum Legal Drinking Age

Police are prone to ignore or under-enforce the minimum legal drinking age at 21 law due to limited resources, and perceptions that punishment is inadequate including the time and effort required for processing and paperwork, an estimated two out of every 1,000 instances of illegal underage drinking result in arrest. The drinking age should be lowered to 18 due to the fact that regulating drinking between the ages of 18 and 20 in environments with supervision will diminish unsafe drinking activities. 18 is the age of adulthood, you can join the military, get married, vote, get thousands of dollars in loans, and is the age where you will be tried and prosecuted as an adult in a court of law.

Having the drinking age at 21 promotes and encourages the breakage and disrespect towards other laws such as; theft, and having false identification cards. Bringing the drinking age down to 18 can boost the economy because; more people will be purchasing alcohol, revenue would increase, and the government will collect more taxes. Bringing the minimum age limit down to 18 could be medically irresponsible. Although some say that drinking isn’t a right, but keeping the law at the minimum age of 21 will facilitate binge drinking, and other harmful drinking behaviors.

Why is it that we can vote for leaders of this country at 18 but not be able to buy alcohol till the age of 21? If we are able to do something as serious as vote, then we should be able to do something not as serious like being able to buy alcohol at the age of 18. The 26th Amendment claims “old enough to fight, old enough to vote”. So if at the age of 18 you are old enough to fight for this country and have the right to vote, then it’s only right to also allow people at the age of 18 or older to legally and safely consume alcohol.

At the age of 18 you will be prosecuted as an adult for all crime ranging from minor-major. Student loans, car loans, credit cards, and personal loans are all examples of loans you can get at 18. Paying and having bills in your name such as electric, water, and cell phone, are all examples of adulthood. You can also sign a lease to rent a house, or car. 18 is the age of adulthood, and you should be able to buy alcohol at the age of which you start adulthood.

Changing the minimum drinking age to 18 will create more respect for the law. Making alcohol consumption done responsibly, and in appropriate moderations normal will make drinking less of a taboo. In America 31% of road deaths were alcohol related accidents. There are fewer car accidents involving drunk driving in countries were the minimum drinking age is less than 21 such as in France (29%), and Great Britain (16%). https://drinkingage.procon.org/

Keeping the minimum age at 21 will result in more young adults acquiring and using false identification to obtain alcohol. In this generation, national security is an extreme concern regarding: terrorism, illegal immigration, and other threats, this country would be more secure to have as little to none fake ids circulating. https://drinkingage.procon.org/ In 2010 liquor stores suffered a loss of 0.79% in merchandise, and grocery stores suffered a loss of 2.42% in merchandise. http://www.minyanville.com/special-features/articles/shoplifting-shoplifting-statistics-most-stolen-retail/9/15/2010/id/30052

Lowering the drinking age to 18 would boost the economy. If the minimum age was lowered more people will be purchasing alcohol in stores, bars, restaurants, and other licensed facilities. Which will then lead to business owners earning larger amounts of profits. “With increased profits and more successful business in the market, more jobs will become available for Americans, and therefore more money will be spent to boost the economy.” https://akossoy.weebly.com/economy.html

Revenue will increase for businesses, then the government will collect more money in taxes. Therefore the extra money collected from taxes can be turned around and put back into the community. Then more jobs will be created such as: farming, brewing, construction, bars, clubs, liquor stores, alcohol companies and distributors, and accountants. https://prezi.com/sstrnqb8uohy/economic-impact-of-lowering-the-drinking-age/

Although the minimum drinking should be lowered, it can also be medically irresponsible. Consuming alcohol at too young of an age can interfere with the development of the brain’s frontal lobes. The frontal lobes are responsible for a person’s functions such as emotions, regulation, planning and organization. If consumed alcohol interferes during the development stage chronic problems can occur such as having a greater susceptibility to addiction, dangerous risk-taking behavior, memory loss, depression, violence, suicide, and reduced decision-making abilities. https://drinkingage.procon.org/

Did you like this example?

1073

56