Cons to lowering the drinking age | Teen Ink

Cons to lowering the drinking age

March 6, 2011
By Anonymous

First of all the words teen, driving, and alcohol do not go very well together. It's already bad enough as it is with the alcohol related traffic accidents, we don't need more problem with teen in drinking and wasting their lives with alcohol. The drinking age should not be lowered. It has been proven in states such as Masseutuetts, Michigan, and Maine experienced an increase in alcohol related crashes among the age group of 18 to 21. Raising the age limit to the age of 21 decrease fatal traffic accidents by 13% in the age group of 18 to 21, and has saved about 21,887 lives from 1975 to 2002.
Lowering the drinking age in some European countries to 16,17, or 18 is inappropriate to the U.S. standards, because American teens start to drive at a very young age ,and drive more often that Europeans counties, and teens are more likely to drink under the influence of alcohol.

The earlier the person starts to drink alcohol, the greater chances of that person becoming an alcoholic later in life. This can lead to many health problems, and financial problems, later in their life. I believe that the drinking age should not be lowered just so the companies can make more money.

Teen are also being peer pressure in doing something that they know is wrong very easily. When teens drink alcohol they are more like to binge drink than a consumer of the age of 21

I heard that the drinking age should be lowered, because when you are 18 years old, you are considered as an adult, and that they can join the military, and get married. Being able to drink, and going in the war have nothing in common. The military takes young people, because they are not developed , and can be trained to be soldiers. The last thing that the leaders, and the unit commanders want their soldiers is to drink. Many 18 year old are not ready to drink responsibility. The brain of young adults continues developing until the age of 25 years old , it doesn't matter if you think that you are legally considered an adult at the age of 18, the law is set for the appropriate age limit for a necessary reason. Most high schoolers are not mature to handle drinking alcohol, and they make poor choices such as sneaking alcohol to school, drinking under the influence, or binge drink.

I believe that the drinking age should not be lowered, and this belief will improve society. A 2007 report published by a non-profit or organization called the "Common sense for drug policy" stated "Every year in the U.S. an average of 85,000 people die due to excessive alcohol consumption." Many people have a good time drinking alcohol, but they avoid the serious health risks that can potentially kill a person if they drink o much. Which is another reason that I believe that the drinking age should not be lowered. Teenagers especially do not know how serious the health risks are of drinking alcohol can get.


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