Should Drinking Age Be Lowered To 18?

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Michael Sturges Casino English II Period 3 17/5/24.

Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered to 18? The drinking age should be lowered to 18, as current laws are ineffective in preventing underage consumption, and legalizing alcohol for all adults may reduce its allure and promote healthier drinking habits, This paper aims to highlight that drinking age restrictions are failing and in doing so are causing the problem while lowering the age will promote healthier handling of alcohol by young people.

Reducing the legal drinking age to 18 would lower clandestine consumption of alcohol by minors, which is widely spread.Out of the total population consuming the beverage illegally, 60% consists of university students of the age bracket between 18 to 20 years ( National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 1). Accordingly, the already established regulations cannot be said to be helpful in preventing minors from using alcohol. By lowering the drinking age, we could bring this behavior into the open, where it can be better monitored and regulated. Additionally, making alcohol consumption legal at 18 would allow for better alcohol
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The forbidden fruit theory suggests that making something prohibited increases its desirability. The forbidden nature of alcohol for those under 21 increases its appeal, leading to binge drinking in uncontrolled environments. Additionally, lowering the drinking age aligns with other adult responsibilities and rights granted at 18. At 18, individuals are legally recognized as adults and can vote, join the military, and sign contracts. The US Government notes that 18-year-olds can enlist and potentially sacrifice their lives for their country, yet they are not permitted to legally consume alcohol ("Enlistment Age Requirements"). This inconsistency in the age of legal adulthood undermines the credibility of the drinking age