Drinking Age To 18

Lowering the legal drinking age from 21 to 18 will not solve the problem of binge drinking. Many different aspects can lead a teen to drinking however, lowering the drinking age will only cause more issues in today’s society. The numbers of teens drinking would increase to rise to greater numbers than what they already are. The chances of an eighteen year old buying alcohol for a sixteen year old will increase causing more individuals to obtain alcohol. Giving teens the chance to purchase alcohol will lead to it being abused later on in life. Having the option allowing teens to buy alcohol will allow them to drink more. “Alcohol is one of the most used and abused drugs among teenagers in the U.S.” (Alcantara 468). Alcohol is still widely
“…youths in those states who were under 21 drank more and continued to drink more into their early 20s” (Voas 463). Most high schools now require a teenager to be tested for things such as alcohol and drugs prior to becoming involved in a sport. If a teen is addicted to drinking alcohol, they will not take the risk or getting caught by joining a sport. Many teens who are already involved in a sport may attempt to drink to calm themselves before a games. However, this can cause the teen to become very distracted during a game. Alcohol tends to impair the senses and athletes need to be aware of their surroundings. If an athlete is distracted, they will likely cause an accident during a sporting event. Teens who drink are more likely to engage in sexual activities that can lead to pregnancy. “…a lower drinking age was associated with a statistically higher risk of unintended pregnancy, and largely as a result, worse infant health” (Watson np). Alcohol abuse, while pregnant, can cause serious birth defects that can harm both the infant and the mother. When you drink, you can perceive your surroundings as something they are not which can allow you to become unaware of what is truly going on. Some individuals may even fall unconscious as a result of
“…31.2% among persons aged 18 to 20, and peaked among person 21 to 25 at 45.4%” (Harris 130). Teens aged eighteen to twenty are less likely to be involved with alcohol, however, lowering the drinking age would increase the percentage of young drinkers. The chances of a teenager being able to drive to any store, including stores that are specifically designed to sell alcoholic beverages, would increase. This increase would also cause more accidents if the teen was already intoxicated or drove a vehicle while drinking. More intoxicated drivers on the road can lead to fatal accidents that can alter the lives of many individuals. Some individuals do not realize the risks of driving while