Post by geriatrix on Mar 3, 2016 11:58:21 GMT
In many countries, the legal drinking age for consuming strong alcoholic beverages is 21 years of age. But some people argue that it should be lowered.
Pro:
Turning 18 entails receiving the rights and responsibilities of adulthood to vote, smoke cigarettes, serve on juries, get married, sign contracts, be prosecuted as adults and join the military, which includes risking one's life. Prohibiting this age group (18-21) from drinking in bars, restaurants and other licensed locations causes them to drink in unsupervised places such as fraternity houses or house parties, where they may be more prone to binge drinking and other unsafe behaviour. Normalizing alcohol consumption as something done responsibly in moderation will make drinking alcohol less of a taboo for young adults entering college and the workforce.
Con:
Alcohol consumption can interfere with the development of the young adult brains' frontal lobes, essential for functions such as emotional regulation, planning and organization. When alcohol consumption interferes with this early adult brain development, the potential for chronic problems such as greater vulnerability to addiction, dangerous risk-taking behavior, reduced decision-making ability, memory loss, depression, violence and suicide is greater. Newly-legal drinkers often purchase alcohol for their underage peers, creating a "trickle-down" effect. Surveys show that the most common source of alcohol among 18- to 20-year olds is their 21- to 24-year-old peers.
Pro:
Turning 18 entails receiving the rights and responsibilities of adulthood to vote, smoke cigarettes, serve on juries, get married, sign contracts, be prosecuted as adults and join the military, which includes risking one's life. Prohibiting this age group (18-21) from drinking in bars, restaurants and other licensed locations causes them to drink in unsupervised places such as fraternity houses or house parties, where they may be more prone to binge drinking and other unsafe behaviour. Normalizing alcohol consumption as something done responsibly in moderation will make drinking alcohol less of a taboo for young adults entering college and the workforce.
Con:
Alcohol consumption can interfere with the development of the young adult brains' frontal lobes, essential for functions such as emotional regulation, planning and organization. When alcohol consumption interferes with this early adult brain development, the potential for chronic problems such as greater vulnerability to addiction, dangerous risk-taking behavior, reduced decision-making ability, memory loss, depression, violence and suicide is greater. Newly-legal drinkers often purchase alcohol for their underage peers, creating a "trickle-down" effect. Surveys show that the most common source of alcohol among 18- to 20-year olds is their 21- to 24-year-old peers.
