Undeniably, the debate on whether the drinking age should be lowered to 18 has been given a lot of attention. Most people do not support the debate while some support it fully. Several arguments have been put forward to support the motion. Such arguments include the fact that at the age of eighteen, most young people are mature enough to make their own their decisions. Additionally, allowing young people of eighteen years old to drink will encourage healthy drinking habits among the youth. On the other hand the opposers argue that at the age of eighteen most young people are still students and, therefore, drinking is not good for them. This paper is going to focus on why the drinking age should be lowered to 18.
The current legal drinking age is 21. However, it should be lowered to 18 because of several valid reasons. The first reason is that when young people who are 18 years old, are already mature enough to make their own decisions. Besides, are prohibited to drink, the might start to drink in hidden and unhealthy environments. The persons legalized to drink in this case should then be permitted to drink in some controlled environments to include restaurants, pubs, official functions, and taverns (Maisto, Galizio, & Connors, 2011). In such situations, the element of responsible drinking should be taught in programs such as role modeling along with academic. In this regard, sensible as well as mature drinking is, therefore, expected.
Despite the fact that the legalized drinking age is now at 21 years old, many college students who are below this age consume alcohol though in an irresponsible manner. This is because, drinking among such youths is considered as an enticing fruit that is forbidden, and may also be a symbol of adulthood to some. The nation has so far prohibited alcoholism twice; this was done in 1850 at the state level and 1920 at the national level. The efforts that were related to curbing drinking had not been enforced, and this led to serious problems in the social perspective, disrespect of the law, increase in organized crime, and the development of consumption patterns that are immoderate (Thio, & Taylor, 2012).
The flaunting in relation to the present age-specific is more apparent in young people, especially those who tend to consume liquor in a more abusive manner as compared to the legalized drinkers, since the increment in the minimum drinking age. This event took place during the national prohibition. So, the implication of this is that, raising of the legal drinking age has turned out to worsen the situation. For instance, the national prohibition has turned out to be more counter-reproductive. This is because; raising the legal drinking age became worse.
The proportion of the population in America of the young people, who drink, has dropped since 1980. This was some seven years earlier before the state decided on raising the legal drinking age in the year 1987. Even though there are fewer youths who are drinking with their levels of consumption dropping when compared to the general population, many of the younger persons end up drinking in an abusive manner, when given that opportunity. This rapid change took place after there was an increase in the drinking age.
National prohibition on alcoholism destroyed the moderation that was associated with the consumption of alcohol, with its effect being that it promoted excessive and abusive drinking. Prohibition made individuals to gulp alcohol in very large quantities, especially in those occasions that they had been restricted (Thio, & Taylor, 2012). Even though lowering the drinking age would not be a solution to the issue of abusive drinking, it will be a very essential step heading to the right direction.
In general, responsible drinking can only be achieved if young people are trained how to drink at an early age. The societal experience indicates that the problem of drinking is minimized, especially when the younger persons learn from their parents back at home on drinking in a responsible and moderate way. Parents should start drinking at home with their children first before they can let then go drinking alone with their peers.It is, therefore, advisable that parents should be good role models to their children (Thio, & Taylor, 2012). In this regard, lowering the drinking age would help in sending a very pertinent message that proves that, the act of drinking is not a symbol of maturity, and that the element of responsible drinking for those persons who are willing to consume alcohol portrays maturity.
In conclusion, it is evident that lowering the age of drinking to eighteen has it benefits and drawbacks. However, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The advantages for lowering the age of drinking to 18 include the fact that allowing young people of eighteen years old to drink will encourage healthy drinking habits among the youth. Such practices will reduce incidences of unsafe drinking habits and drinking, as well as, using illicit drugs.
References
Maisto, S. A., Galizio, M., & Connors, G. J. (2011). Drug use and abuse. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Thio, A., & Taylor, J. D. (2012). Social problems. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
