Many people would consider 18 the age of transforming into adulthood. The right to vote, buying cigarettes, and getting married are just a few of the many aspects that come along with turning eighteen years old. However, in the United States, drinking alcohol at the age of 18 is considered illegal. According to a 2014 study, the United States is just one of 12 countries whose drinking age is restricted to 21 years and older. Binge drinking, brain development, drunk related crashes, and teenagers responsibility has caused enormous controversy as to whether this alcohol restriction should be lowered or not. Alcohol drinking restrictions have fluctuated greatly, especially throughout the United States. From the 1920’s and 1930’s in
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At the age of 18, you are given the right to vote, go to war, and buy cigarettes but are not allowed to consume alcohol, which almost contradicts itself. Drinking alcohol at such a young age can lead to alcohol binging and dependence, resulting in possible long term effects, affecting cognitive brain functions. The increase in drunk-related crashes also has been a significant concern for lowering the drinking age back to 18. Teenagers will drink alcohol no matter what the drinking age is set at. As we enforce a drinking age limit of 21, we are also driving alcohol consumption underground, which causes binge drinking and poor habits. We must provide alcohol education online programs that will help teach safer drinking habits in a more responsible and supervised environment. Alcohol will continue to remain as a representation of rebellion and pleasure to young adults and teenagers unless we take action. One of the best steps to doing this is by slowly eliminating the glorification of alcohol, by teaching this at a young age. Lowering the drinking age can show a possible decrease in binging and poor drinking habits, especially throughout high school and young college students. This will continue to be an ongoing controversial issue as a nation, as we must decide if we are helping or hurting our youth for the
At the age of 18, you are given the right to vote, go to war, and buy cigarettes but are not allowed to consume alcohol, which almost contradicts itself. Drinking alcohol at such a young age can lead to alcohol binging and dependence, resulting in possible long term effects, affecting cognitive brain functions. The increase in drunk-related crashes also has been a significant concern for lowering the drinking age back to 18. Teenagers will drink alcohol no matter what the drinking age is set at. As we enforce a drinking age limit of 21, we are also driving alcohol consumption underground, which causes binge drinking and poor habits. We must provide alcohol education online programs that will help teach safer drinking habits in a more responsible and supervised environment. Alcohol will continue to remain as a representation of rebellion and pleasure to young adults and teenagers unless we take action. One of the best steps to doing this is by slowly eliminating the glorification of alcohol, by teaching this at a young age. Lowering the drinking age can show a possible decrease in binging and poor drinking habits, especially throughout high school and young college students. This will continue to be an ongoing controversial issue as a nation, as we must decide if we are helping or hurting our youth for the