Should The Drinking Age Be Lowered - Assignment Example

Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered? Affiliation Should The Drinking Age Be Lowered? After all the fifty states passed the law that strictly allows those above the age of 21 to drink alcohol, there have been furore and public debates on the issue. There have been debates on what age should be considered legally fit for alcohol consumption. There has been varied public opinion on the grounds of legal age to take alcohol. Despite the fact that 18 years is the legal age to buy cigarettes, vote and join military, the minimum age to allow one consume alcohol should remain 21 years because of a number of reasons. First, by lowering Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) to 18, it will be an act of medical irresponsibility. It is no doubt that alcohol drinking interferes with the growth and development of the brain. Rashad (2004) identifies that the effect of alcohol to teenagers is more detrimental to brain development and often at early age, exposure; it predisposes to mental illness. The move to lower the drinking age is a medical concern and the future of a generations health heavily depends on rational minds that would reject any attempt to intoxicate teenagers with alcohol. In addition, early exposure leads to high risks to chronic addiction that is a recipe to serious diseases that include liver cirrhosis. Goode (2012) agrees that the exposure at teenage age will double the risk of liver diseases and incapacitation of liver functions. Secondly, lowering MLDA will pave room to a greater segment of population converging at night clubs and bars. These areas are significantly unsafe besides, they an occasional sell intoxicated alcohol whose effects have been devastating (Korsmeyer & Kranzler 2009). In the United Kingdom, for instance, families and neighborhoods of densely populated bars and night clubs have reported cases of assault, robbery and other forms of crime. Certainly, people intoxicated with alcohol have irrational decisions, and many incidences including rape have been linked with alcoholism. Imagining teenage girls in the midst of heavy drinkers is quite unnerving. In order to eliminate teenage exposure to potential rape and robbery, the minimum age of drinking should not be changed. Thirdly, MLDA at 21 reduces the number of accidents caused by alcohol consumption. According to 100 meta-study analysis, by having a higher minimum legal age, it reduces chances of traffic accidents by 92%. Besides, a similar study conducted by United States Traffic Department (USTD) in 2008 meta-analysis identified that 87% of higher MLDA studies was associated with lower rates of drinking in many states. Moreover, 57% of accident cases in U.S today are caused by heavy alcohol consumption (Korsmeyer & Kranzler 2009). It is quite obvious that with under 21-year-old consumers the cases of accidents will increase because there would be more cases of irrational drinking. As it stands today, many teenage drinking is irrational and quite irresponsible. Driving while drunk is offense, and the young people will be at risk of jail terms and fines. Besides, the minimum age of drinking will allow social vices such as fight and crimes.The 2007 Gallup Poll identified that 77% of Americans related lower MLDA with increased cases of family violence and children-parent conflict which has been a rising phenomenon (Whitlock 2012). In addition, the survey showed that over 90% of United States citizens would oppose any attempt to lower MLDA. Based on the public concern and overt opposition to the argument, it would amount to the insensitivity and an act of irresponsibility to lower the drinking age to 18. Today, the majority of parents are trapped in the conflict with their children. Majority cases were related to the rebellious nature caused by irrational thinking due to alcoholism (Rashad 2004). Sadly, despite the existence of this monumental law, there are still hidden cases of under 21 drinking. Moreover, any attempt to lower minimum drinking age will encourage binge drinking; that is characterized by heavy drinking. A medically-based scientific research conducted by the University of Michigan revealed that binge drinking rates of 18-20 years were at 35.7% as compared to 19.4%age 21-30 years (Whitlock 2012). Notably, within a range of three years, the rate is almost doubled those of an age bracket of nine years. It is statistically evident that heavy and irresponsible drinking is linked with the tender age and as such, the minimum drinking age should be kept as high as possible. The Journal of Studies of Alcohol and Drugs 2010 noted with great concern that exposure to alcohol at teenage age was a significant risk factor to use of other drugs including cigarette and marijuana (Goode 2012). Korsmeyer & Kranzler (2009) admits that in setting the minimum drinking age, these are some of the issues that were put into consideration. Notably, it identified there were 3.4 times higher risk to cigarette and other hard drugs as compared with those above age of 21 (Goode 2012). The U.S health systems are battling with higher rates of cigarette addictions and marijuana trafficking is now a concern to many states. In order to prevent high rates of addictions, social unrests and enhance morally developed youths, the minimum age of In addition, lower MLDA will translate to legalizing the use of alcohol in schools. The age 18-21 years is mainly at high school and at times middle, high school. With the expansion with civil rights and personal liberty, the high scholars will now access alcohol while in school. Sadly, despite the existence of lower MLDA, there are still cases of sneaking alcohol to school with over 34% of those under 21 admitting that they have had an exposure to alcohol (Goode 2012). The proponents of this argument ought to look beyond mere rights and discrimination that they argue against higher MLDA. As stated earlier, the argument has no legal or moral grounds. Notably, the U.S District Court Ruling in December 2, 1978 identified that drinking alcohol is not a primary right and at the same time age is not an inherent discrimination "suspect." The ruling identified that age was not a discrimination criteria like race and gendered (Korsmeyer & Kranzler 2009). It is, therefore, evident that the argument is proposing that banning alcohol to under 21 was discrimination has no basis in law as evident by the historic court ruling. It was one of the most historic rulings that saw underage drinking reduce by over 25%; however, there has been an attempt to sneak the debate intelligently. Those oppose with the higher MLDA should find time to contemplate on the consequences. It is quite surprising that the proponents of this debate believe that by lowering the legal age of drinking to 18, will encourage this group to exercise safe drinking habits. They believe that they will now embark on drinking alcohol in a regulated environment and thus enhance safety. The argument is quite misleading since it is based on unfounded grounds; evidently, those under age of 21 have been implicated of irresponsible behavior after drinking that could pose threats in peaceful bars. According to Center of Disease and Control Teenage Alcohol Report 2012, it identified that 34% of violence related to alcoholism. In addition, under 21 years were blamed for rising cases of this violence (Riala 2004). Lowering the age will increase violence at night clubs and pubs due to the irrationality of drunk teenagers. However, higher MDLA has its negative implications; firstly it lowers potential government taxes that would be collected from this group. Many alcohol consumers certainly translate to higher consumption, higher purchasing and the business will certainly flourish. Besides, the brewery industry continues to invest into marketing through advertisements that are quite expensive, and the government ought to do away with the restrictive laws and state legislation that are impediment to industrial development. A meta-analysis survey conducted in 2002 showed that d 72% of the studies failed to show a significant relationship between homicides and other crimes and under 21 alcohol consumption (Korsmeyer & Kranzler 2009). In addition, there are multiple cases of homicides that have been caused by other factors that are totally unrelated with lowering of drinking age. In fact, majority of the cases are executed by middle age and older adults. Besides, lower MLDA denies those of legal age entertainment since alcohol drinking is an enjoyable affair that often allows people to meet at the popular locations like night clubs and bars. It is absurd to think how 18 year old young adults can be allowed t make a decision on behalf of the country through voting, but denied personal freedom to choose what they find best for themselves. Besides, through legalizing those 18 years to drink, it will reduce the cases of those unable to attend medical attention due to fear of possible prosecution (Whitlock 2012). Many below the legal age continue t suffers adverse effects of alcohol, but the fear of prosecution denies them the basic right to access medical help. Conclusion However controversial, it may be the highest minimum drinking age is an impetus to a moral and healthy society. It discourages reckless behavior seen mostly in school-going children and restores valuable moral discipline in the country. Evidently, the harmful effects of underage alcohol drinking are far much graver than the perceived denial of basic rights. The minimum drinking age should be maintained at 21 unless those arguing contrary to the law prove otherwise. References Goode, E. (2012). Drugs in American society (8th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Korsmeyer, P., & Kranzler, H. R. (2009). Encyclopedia of drugs, alcohol & addictive behavior (3rd ed.). Detroit, Mich.: Macmillan Reference USA. Rashad, I. (2004). Teenage Sex, Drugs And Alcohol Use: Problems Identifying The Cause Of Risky Behaviors. Journal of Health Economics, 23(3), 493-503. Riala, K. (2004). Teenage Smoking And Substance Use As Predictors Of Severe Alcohol Problems In Late Adolescence And In Young Adulthood. Journal of Adolescent Health, 35(3), 245-254. Whitlock, D. (2012). Teenage brains on alcohol. Neurology Now, 8(1), 5. 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