Drinking Age Should Be Reduced from 21 to 18 - Thesis Proposal Example

Drinking Age should be reduced from 21 to 18 Introduction - There are a number of reasons leading to an appeal for the reduction of the legal drinking age from the age of twenty-one years to eighteen years Thesis - This is in order to have a nonbiased argument towards or against the respective groups and their opinions the age that alcohol consumption should be allowed I. Discrimination The issue of discrimination is a crucial determinant that calls for the lowering of then legal drinking The factors, in this case, relate to the past and the ages of our fore fathers and their drinking habits In the early days, anyone was allowed to drink regardless of his or her age (Spiess) In modern times it creates a society in which the youth are discriminated against in the country The youngsters have as much right as any other human adult to take his or her drinking seriously without any inhibitions II. Decision-making The age of eighteen years is the legal age for one to make decisions for him or herself The government recognizes the potential and power wielded by the youth in building the society and contributing to its wellbeing Eighteen year olds should be entrusted with the discretion of alcohol consumption III. Traffic accidents The statistics show that there are more traffic accidents in the first couple of years after age 21 (“Drinking Age”) The deductions show that people starting from the 21 - 24 tend to have more accidents than other age groups put together Lowering the age reduces the chances of conducting experiments based on one’s liquor handling capabilities Lowering the legal age of alcohol consumption will work positively towards a constructive society based on social beliefs and taboos (CBS News) IV. Conclusion The legal drinking age should be brought down to eighteen from twenty-one There are a number of reasons leading to an appeal for the reduction of the legal drinking age from the age of twenty-one years to eighteen years. This is following the indifference in the disparity found between the two age groups in relation to their drinking habits and resultant behaviors. As a result, it is crucial to analyze the reasons as to why the legal drinking age should be lowered and the reason behind those that oppose the move. Therefore, this will ensure to have a non-biased argument towards, or against the respective groups and their opinions on the age that alcohol consumption should be allowed. Discrimination The issue of discrimination is a crucial determinant that calls for the lowering of then legal drinking following the consideration of a number of factors; in this case, the factors relate to the past and the ages of our fore fathers and their drinking habits. In the early days, anyone was allowed to drink regardless of his or her age (Spiess). As a result, in modern times when the age of drinking has been increased to 21 years, it creates a society in which the youth are discriminated against in the country. Consumption of alcohol is done by people over the age of 21 years at their own volition. Why not allow those at the age of 18 years participate in their alcohol drinking antics freely and without any form of restriction from the authorities and the law, as well as other authorities. The youngsters have as much right as any other human adult to take his or her drinking seriously without any inhibitions. Failure to allow this amounts to discrimination based on age, which, in turn, sets a poor example to the same young people that the law is attempting to protect. This is in relation to showing them that as long as one is not of a given age, one’s conduct or behavior is restricted to certain bounds that cannot, or must not be crossed. In the early times, consumption of alcohol was an event or act in which anyone could engage thus; we should allow the memories of the ancestors to come to life by giving permission to those who can handle their liquor, to take part in alcohol consumption. In the above case, of discrimination, the youth need to have a good example in life. This is where they are treated as other members of the society with responsibilities and privileges, unlike the current drinking policy allows. The above argument may be misquoted to mean that since the age difference is minimal, that younger people may be sucked into drinking. This is not the case, as the discrimination should qualify ages for their wellbeing, such as those aged below eighteen years. This is to safeguard their health up to a time that they are free to make certain decisions of their own, such as those of drinking and those that concern their safety concerning health and social relations. Decision-making In addition to discrimination antics, the issue of decision-making comes closely to compete or aggravate discrimination against the youth; this is in relation to the age of eighteen years being the legal age for one to make decisions for him or herself. Legal decisions in this case refer to signing of contracts that are legally binding to the signer, voting, participating in jury duty, and even enrolling in the military for potential drafting in cases of war (“Drinking Age”). This means that the government recognizes the potential and power wielded by the youth in building the society and contributing to its wellbeing. With this in mind, it shows how much the government trust the ability of an eighteen year old to make crucial life changing decisions that involve the overall welfare of the nation and society. This is particularly so in jury duty and drafting into the army through the Selective service, where one’s life is usually at stake or the fate of other members of society. For this reason, the government and other policy makers that are involved in making decisions on the consumption of alcohol should entrust the eighteen year olds with the discretion of alcohol consumption. This is seeing that crucial aspects of life are at their hands, but some of the most basic decisions are made for them. Therefore, the legal alcohol drinking age should be reduced from twenty-one to eighteen to show trust in the youth and their abilities. Counter arguments against this call for the age to be maintained following the idea that eighteen-year-old people are allowed to make such decisions is because they are free from the influence of common substances, of which alcohol is one. However, those chosen for jury duty, a significant task, are usually over the age of twenty-one meaning that their argument becomes, and remains invalid as it sidelines both ages, although not entirely. Traffic accidents The legal drinking age should be lowered to eighteen years following the proof that statistics provide in relation to road safety, especially accidents affiliated to drunk driving. The statistics stated in this case refer to information showing that there are more traffic accidents in the first couple of years following attainment of the legal drinking age of twenty-one (“Drinking Age”). The deductions from the statistics show that people starting from the age of twenty-one through to twenty-four tend to have more accidents than other age groups put together. Lowering the legal drinking age should therefore, have a profound impact on the rate at which traffic accidents occur based on alcohol consumption. This is following the belief that there are bound to be measures put in place to supervise the drinking habits of the youth. In addition, lowering the age reduces the chances of conducting experiments based on one’s liquor handling capabilities, as opposed to what happens when one is twenty-one and has just discovered alcohol. In addition, lowering the legal age of alcohol consumption will work positively towards a constructive society based on social beliefs and taboos. This is as seen in cases of youngsters joining college, where alcohol is consumed in excessive amounts because; there is not a legal opportunity to do so (CBS News). Lowering the age to eighteen will therefore, result in fewer cases of unruly behavior and traffic accidents affiliated with drunk driving. In conclusion, the legal drinking age should be brought down to eighteen from twenty-one following the image boost and numerous benefits it is bound to bring. This is to both the public and the government, as well as to individuals who engage in alcohol consumption at the age of eighteen. Works Cited “Drinking Age”. Procon.org. 2012.Web. 29 October 2012. CBS News. The Debate on Lowering the Drinking Age. 2010. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. Spiess, DJ. “696 Very Good Reasons Why We Should Lower the Drinking Age”. Fermentarium. 2008. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. Read More