Essay On Minimum Drinking Age

Alcohol is a drug that can have numerous negative side effects on the consumer. It impairs people’s judgement and ability to make good decisions. Since the consumer is not completely conscious, he is not only capable of hurting himself, but others too. Because of alcohol’s many negative consequences, many people wonder how to set the minimum drinking age. In order to avoid its citizens from receiving such harmful effects, the United States should have a high minimum drinking age. A high minimum drinking age will not only save lives, but also save families from suffering through an alcohol related tragedy. During the time the minimum drinking age was 18, a man lost his pregnant wife and child in a car accident because an 18 year-old woman driving under the influence had rammed into their car while they were driving one night. This accident resulted in not only the loss of three lives, but also the man’s melancholy. If the minimum drinking age had been higher at the time, there is a possibility that she would have not consumed alcohol
that night and cause an accident. Creating a higher drinking age curtails the number of people who can drink and as a result, decreases the possibility of such accidents from occurring. Some people claim that it is absurd and unjust that 18 year-olds can vote, marry, enter contracts and serve in the military, but are prohibited from purchasing alcohol. This law may initially seem unfair because it takes away the person’s ability to decide on a certain aspect for himself, a privilege that adults are usually held responsible for. This law, however, is actually reasonable because the activities people are permitted to do at the age of 18 do not have negative effects as influential as the effects from drinking alcohol. Alcohol consumption damages the frontal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for numerous cognitive functions such as motor movement and judgement. The frontal fully develops around the late twenties. Damage to the frontal lobe during development can be detrimental. Having a high minimum drinking age cuts the number of young people who drink and as a result, curbs the number of people receiving such damage to their frontal lobe. Because the youth of today’s generation is the future, it is important to ensure that a majority of youth fully develop a strong and healthy frontal lobe. Although the federal government sets a minimum drinking age, the states can choose whether or not they will comply to the rule.
As a result, the minimum drinking age varies in each state.Alcohol causes a lot of damage to the consumer and those around him or her. Drinking alcohol destroys the consumer’s frontal lobe and clouds his or her judgement. Since the consumer is not fully aware of his surroundings, he can unintentionally hurt those around him. Considering the numerous consequences that come from drinking, a universally applied minimum age would reduce alcohol-related problems nationwide. It decreases the number of people who have the ability to drink and as a result, makes the possibility of the negative consequences of drinking from occurring. The consumption of alcohol has caused many deaths, injuries, and mistakes. These consequences make it clear that the minimum drinking age should be higher and enforced
nationwide.