Legal Drinking Age
I. Introduction : Legal drinking age is a common legal form in many nations as they look to tame young people from engaging in alcohol consumption at an early age and thus lead to dangerous decisions and actions like causing accidents.
Thesis: There is a need to provide both an age limit for alcohol consumption and education on its effects on motorists.
II. Background: Minimum drinking legal ages varies from one nation to another around the world. Many nations have passed legislation prohibiting the sale of alcohol to the minor, however, this legislation apply only to alcoholic drinks. The minimum legal drinking age across the world is averaged at 16 years around the world.
III. Supporting Point 1: According to the facts provided by World Health Organization (WHO). 80% of people in the world drink alcohol regularly at the age of 15 years. many countries in the world fix the minimum drinking age at 18 years
A. Evidence: According to the facts provided by World Health Organization (WHO) , around 20 countries impose their minimum legal drinking age at 16 years, 20 countries do not have any laws prohibiting minors from drinking alcohol, these countries including Norway, Ghana, Jamaica, Cambodia etc.
IV. Supporting Point 2: One of the problems associated with minimum drinking age is identifying the minimum legal age to reduce misuse
A. Evidence: There is difficulty setting a minimum age because, involve issues of religion, parental rights, freedom and responsibility. Although, minimum drinking age legislation has been imposed is still ineffective it has proved effective.
V. Opposing view 1: In United States, there were arguments against minimum lowering minimum legal drinking age, some of these argued that higher minimum age legal drinking age is crucial in controlling alcohol related diseases, deaths, and injuries.
Refutation: When minimum legal drinking age is lowered, there are an increase deaths and illness, when minimum legal age is higher, injuries, and related diseases are reducing drastically. (Glen, 214)
VI. Opposing view 2: Those against lowering the age limit argue that lowering to 18 years is medically unacceptable. They argue that at 18, brain parts such as frontal lobes, which are essential in planning, coordination, and planning are not fully developed.
Refutation: . Exposure to alcohol will hinder proper development of these parts. Interference of these parts will lead to suicide, violence, poor decision making, dangerous risky taking and vulnerability to addiction. (Bond, 28)
VII. Conclusion: There is need to provide both a limiting age for alcohol consumption and proper education on alcohol consumption and effects.
