Drinking Into the Age of Adulthood
The world is populated with billions of people. Different countries and cultures have been exposed to and have experienced the effects of alcohol for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years. Some thoughts of alcohol may even go as far back as Jesus sipping wine at his “Last Supper”, but do you think anyone ever said, “Hey Jesus can I see some ID?” Over the past century many laws and reforms have been placed upon alcohol and many other mind-altering drugs. Many countries have maintained a socialized culture by raising children to respect alcohol and it remains as a part of their lifestyle, not a temptation that is not permitted. Other countries throughout the world have chosen the other path. Their legalized drinking ages are set no higher than 18, as opposed to America’s age of 21. So why does America have the highest minimum drinking age and the most problems with underage drinking? What real responsibilities are encountered at the age of 21 anyway? At 18 most young Americans determine the rest of their lives. They decide between colleges and a full time job, are forced to enlist in the armed forces, and some even have children of their own already. So why can’t they enjoy a beer as they move out into the
Alcohol is America’s legal, oldest, and most popular drug. In all actuality citizens under the age of 21 will most likely drink if desired. It just seems much more logical that an adult who can raise a child, vote, sign legal documents, live on their own, make lifelong decisions, and take a bullet for their country should also be able to take a drink legally without shame. Lowering the drinking from 21 to 18 will not only create a fairness among adulthood, but also a resolution in an ongoing controversial issue in society. In reviewing the topic of drinking and driving, it seems that a person who is at the age of 18 can distinguish just as well as a person who is 21 when it is the right and wrong time to get behind the wheel. Research has even shown that people who are overage have a higher rate of fatalities and accidents. This may very well be because heavy drinkers who are of age tend to drink in bars and taverns. While underage drinkers choose to drink at private parties which require a much less distance to drive if any at all. Underage drinkers also have the generosity of their parents to help them out from time to time. How many 21 year olds do you know who would call a parent to say, “Hey I’m way too drunk to drive will you come get me?” In this case it maybe even safer for younger Americans to be drinking verses adults. Teens also abuse alcohol no more than 21 to 40 year old adults do. Alcohol impaired driving is most prominent in the age group of 21 to 24 (Newman 35). The most fatalities also occur within this group. So if the best drinking age is 21, why don’t all the fatalities happen at 18 rather than the legal age? This is a question that confuses many Americans. The intoxication rates for accidents and fatalities also brings and element of surprise. For accidents the rates were highest for 21 to 24 years of age with 27%, then 25 to 34 years if age with 24%, and lastly 35 to 44 years of age with 21% (Newman 78). S
Some topics in this essay:
Jesus ID”,
Senior School,
Alcohol America’s,
Doesn’t Government,
,
age 21,
drinking age,
underage drinkers,
school students,
ages 18,
ages 18 21,
experienced effects alcohol,
binge drinkers,
it’s hard,
18 americans,
drinks row,
21 18,
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Approximate Word count = 1328
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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