Li 1st Last: Argumentative Essay Rough Draft And Introductio ✓ Solved
Li 1last 2argumentative Essay Rough Draftiintroductionexplanation
Lower the drinking age: Focusing on America, eighteen-years-old can operate motor vehicles, can vote, pay taxes, marry as well as fight in foreign countries. Additionally, a citizen of the great state of Rhode Island can vie for gubernatorial position. Therefore, from this perspective, one could easily argue that many of those responsibilities imply a level of maturity comparable to the ability to consume alcohol responsibly. The arbitrary drinking age line is way beyond the responsibilities mentioned above.
In this case, legislation should be introduced to lower the drinking age back to 18 or less, which I am convinced will happen. My paper will propose that the drinking age should be lowered from the legal age of 21 to 18 years. More particularly, I will analyze various benefits associated with early drinking. My paper will also portray the rationale of lowering the drinking age considering some of the other responsibilities entrusted to persons of eighteen years. Lastly, my paper will also try to analyze this subject from a broader perspective.
In this case, I will study a handful of developed countries with a minimum drinking age of 18. I will also pay attention to several countries that even allow 16-year-olds to take beer and wine. To some extent, I fear the challenge of convincing society. For evidence, I do intend to cite various nations with a legal drinking age of 18. Further, I will also back up my study with analysis of nations that even allow 16 years old to buy beer as well as wine.
My audience will be a tough crowd, particularly the family units who might be reluctant to this change.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
The debate over the legal drinking age in the United States has persisted for decades, with compelling arguments on both sides. This essay advocates for lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, emphasizing that at 18, individuals are entrusted with responsibilities such as voting, military service, and driving, which arguably require maturity comparable to responsibly consuming alcohol. The core premise is that if society grants young adults these responsibilities, they should also be trusted with the freedom to consume alcohol responsibly, fostering a culture of moderation and responsible behavior.
One primary argument in favor of lowering the drinking age is that it aligns legal rights with responsibilities. In the United States, at 18, individuals become adults with the legal capacity to vote, serve in the military, and marry. These responsibilities require a certain degree of maturity, judgment, and self-control. Limiting alcohol consumption to age 21 appears inconsistent, especially given that many of these young adults are exposed to other significant responsibilities, such as operating motor vehicles and paying taxes. According to Wagenaar (1993), countries with an age of 18 for legal alcohol consumption experience fewer issues related to underage drinking and associated harms, suggesting that an earlier legal age may promote responsible drinking behaviors.
Furthermore, evidence from other countries supports the contention that lowering the drinking age does not necessarily lead to increased alcohol abuse. For instance, in many European nations where the legal drinking age is 18 or even lower, rates of alcohol-related problems are comparable or lower than in the United States. Reboussin and Lp (2008) highlight that culturally embedded drinking practices and education about alcohol in these countries contribute significantly to responsible consumption among young people. Such data imply that setting the legal drinking age at 18 might foster healthier drinking habits through early education rather than clandestine consumption.
Opponents of lowering the drinking age argue that early access could lead to increased alcohol abuse and accidents among youth. Critics emphasize that the brain is still developing until the mid-twenties, and early alcohol consumption can impede this development, leading to long-term cognitive and health issues (Carroll, 2003). Moreover, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Fell et al., 2014) indicates that higher legal drinking ages correlate with fewer alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Nonetheless, research by Traci et al. (2009) suggests that cultural, educational, and enforcement strategies can mitigate potential risks associated with earlier legal drinking ages.
In considering these points, it is essential to recognize that responsible drinking education and enforcement are critical factors. Countries with lower legal drinking ages often integrate comprehensive alcohol education programs that promote moderation and awareness. For example, the Netherlands and Germany enforce strict guidelines and educational campaigns that emphasize responsible drinking, which can serve as models for effective policy in the United States.
Ultimately, aligning the legal drinking age with other responsibilities granted at 18 could foster a more responsible and educated approach to alcohol among young adults. Such a change could result in reduced clandestine drinking, lower rates of alcohol-related accidents, and a more consistent legal framework that reflects the maturity levels of young citizens. While concerns about increased alcohol abuse are valid, evidence suggests that with proper education and regulation, earlier access does not necessarily translate into higher harm.
References
- Carpenter, Christopher, and Carlos Dobkin. “The Minimum Legal Drinking Age And Crime.” Miami University Libraries, Vanderbit University, 2015.
- Reboussin, Beth A., and Edward H. Lp. “Locally Dependent Latent Class Models with Covariates: An Application to Under-Age Drinking in the USA.” Miami University Libraries, Wiley, 2008.
- Wallace Amy, and Wallace Atticus. “The U.S. Military as a Natural Experiment: Changes in Drinking Age, Military Environment, and Later Alcohol Treatment Episodes among Veterans.” Miami University Libraries, VA Outcomes Group REAP, 2008.
- Wagenaar, Alexander C. “Research Affects Public Policy: the Case of the Legal Drinking Age in the United States.” Miami University Libraries, Wiley Blackwell, 1993.
- Traci, Toomey, et al. “The Age-21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age: a Case Study Linking Past and Current Debates.” Miami University Libraries, Wiley Blackwell, 2009.
- Carroll, Joseph. “Younger Males Drink Most, and Sometimes Too Much.” Miami University Libraries, Points of View Reference Center, 2003.
- Fell, James et al. “Effectiveness of Social Host and Fake Identification Laws on Reducing Underage Drinking Driver Fatal Crashes.” Miami University Libraries, Taylor, 2014.