The Problems of Underage Drinking Essay - 526 Words

The controversy of underage drinking has been a serious and difficult issue for many colleges, communities, and parents over the past several years. Fifty states in the U.S have already set their minimum alcohol drinking and purchasing age to twenty one. Yet many people, especially teenagers, oppose this legal drinking age and want it to be lowered. Nevertheless, the legal drinking age should not be lowered from twenty one to eighteen because of three main reasons. The higher minimum drinking age can help reduce the number of fatal car accidents, health hazards, and violent/ destructive behavior in teenagers. Underage drinking is overall dangerous to the society and will become more harmful if the legal drinking age is lowered. A higher†¦show more content†¦Lastly, the minimum legal drinking age should remain because people tend to be more mature and responsible at 21 opposed to 18. Eighteen year olds are entering a new phase of life and are becoming independent from their parents. Although the opposition may say that 18 is the age of adulthood in the United States, the truth is they are most vulnerable at this stage. Through peer pressure and irresponsibility, they are more susceptible to violent/ destructive behaviors such as binge drinking, academic failure, physical altercations, arrests, and risky sexual behavior. Although 18 year olds are allowed to vote, smoke cigarettes, serve on juries, get married, and join the military, they are still too young to purchase a handgun, gamble in a casino, adopt a child, rent a car, or run for president. Therefore, drinking similarly should be restricted due to the responsibility required to self and others (ProCon.org). The legal minimum drinking age should not be lowered to 18 because of the number of fatal car accidents, health hazards, and violent/ destructive behaviors that accompany alcohol consumption. The 21 minimum drinking age reduces traffic accidents and fatalities and saves many lives. Moreover, t he use of alcohol magnifies potential health hazards on a teenager’s still developing brain/ body. People tend to be more mature and responsible at 21 than 18Show MoreRelatedThe Problem Of Underage Drinking1516 Words   |  7 PagesPaying the Fiddler in Lives In order to fully understand the threat that underage drinking poses to our country, it is important to realize just how commonplace this sort of inebriation has become. As a result of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a way of monitoring habits among teens, the Center for Disease Control (or CDC) found that nearly thirty-five percent of students had consumed alcohol within one month of taking the questionnaire (Adolescent 1). Statistics revealing widespread intoxicationRead MoreUnderage Drinking Is A Growing Problem Essay1438 Words   |  6 PagesUnderage Drinking In America, teenagers abuse alcohol more than any other substance. Studies have shown by age 15, about 33 percent of teens have had at least 1 drink. 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