Should The Drinking Age Be Lowered? I Feel The Drinking Age

Should The Drinking Age Be Lowered I Feel The Drinking Age Sh

This assignment asks you to write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:

  1. State your position on the topic you selected for Assignment 1.1.
  2. Identify (3) three premises (reasons) from the Procon.org website that support your position and explain why you selected these specific reasons.
  3. Explain your answers to the “believing” questions about the three (3) premises opposing your position from the Procon.org website.
  4. Examine at least two (2) types of biases that you likely experienced as you evaluated the premises for and against your position.
  5. Discuss the effects of your own enculturation or group identification that may have influenced your biases.
  6. Discuss whether or not your thinking about the topic has changed after playing the “Believing Game,” even if your position on the issue has stayed the same.

The paper should include an introductory paragraph and a concluding paragraph. Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences. Follow standard English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling rules. Use Times New Roman font, size 12, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Include citations and references in APA Style format. A cover page with the assignment title, student’s name, professor’s name, course title, and date should be included, but it is not part of the page length. The assignment aligns with course outcomes related to identifying fallacies and biases, critical thinking, and research using technology and information resources.

Paper For Above instruction

The debate over lowering the legal drinking age has been a contentious issue in many countries, particularly in the United States where the age is set at 21. I firmly believe that the drinking age should remain at 21, primarily due to concerns about health, safety, and societal impacts. This paper synthesizes arguments supporting my stance while critically examining opposing viewpoints, potential biases, and how personal and cultural factors influence my thinking.

Firstly, proponents of maintaining the drinking age cite health-related reasons as a primary support for their position. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol consumption among young people results in significant health risks including accidents, injuries, and long-term effects on brain development (CDC, 2021). The teenage and early adult years are critical for brain growth; alcohol's neurotoxic effects can impair cognitive development, leading to decreased academic performance and increased risk of addiction later in life. I selected this premise because health concerns are compelling, especially given that young brains are highly susceptible to alcohol damage, and policies should prioritize safeguarding this vulnerable population.

Secondly, safety concerns related to alcohol consumption are central to maintaining the legal drinking age at 21. Data indicates that the incidence of drunk driving accidents spikes among drivers aged 18-20, with a significant proportion involving alcohol impairment (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], 2020). Lowering the drinking age could result in increased fatalities and injuries, burdening healthcare systems and families. I chose this argument because public safety is a fundamental societal concern, and evidence suggests that younger drinkers are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, making strict legal restrictions a crucial preventative measure.

Thirdly, maintaining the drinking age at 21 influences societal attitudes and behaviors toward alcohol. It establishes a clear boundary, which helps normalize responsible drinking behaviors in a controlled environment, such as college campuses and household settings. This premise was selected because it emphasizes the role of societal norms and education in shaping responsible alcohol consumption and reducing binge drinking and alcohol abuse among youth.

Opposing the position, the “believing” questions about the three premises reveal some biases that might influence my thinking. For instance, I might be biased toward viewing narratives about health risks as more significant than evidence about responsible drinking practices or cultural acceptance of alcohol use at younger ages. Additionally, I might have a bias towards emphasizing safety concerns due to personal or societal experiences with alcohol-related accidents. These biases can cloud impartial evaluation by focusing attention on the negatives of younger drinking rather than potential benefits or nuanced perspectives.

In evaluating my biases, two particular types come to mind: confirmation bias, where I favor information that supports my existing view, and cultural bias, influenced by American cultural norms that tend to be conservative about alcohol restrictions. Cultural attitudes towards alcohol vary globally; some countries allow drinking at younger ages with relatively low rates of alcohol-related harm, suggesting that cultural context heavily influences perceptions and policies (Room et al., 2020). Recognizing these biases highlights the importance of considering international and cultural diversity in policy discussions.

Furthermore, my enculturation—raised in a society with restrictive alcohol laws—has shaped my perception that lowering the drinking age could lead to negative consequences. These societal norms reinforce the idea that strict regulations protect young people, which influences my bias towards maintaining a high drinking age. However, being aware of these influences encourages me to consider alternative viewpoints more critically, such as the potential benefits of responsible drinking at an earlier age or different cultural practices.

Lastly, engaging in the “Believing Game” has prompted me to reflect on whether my thinking has evolved. While my core position remains that the drinking age should stay at 21, I now appreciate more the arguments from those advocating for lowering the age, especially regarding responsible alcohol use and cultural differences. The exercise in empathy and critical examination has broadened my understanding, prompting a more nuanced view. It has reinforced the importance of evidence-based policy-making, recognizing that cultural context and individual responsibility play significant roles in shaping effective alcohol-related policies.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Youth Risk Behavior Survey — United States, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(SS-1), 1–114.
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2020). Traffic safety facts: Alcohol-impaired driving. NHTSA.
  • Room, R., Babor, T., & Rehm, J. (2020). Alcohol and public health: The role of cultural norms and policy. Addiction, 115(1), 1–8.
  • Brighton, S. (2017). The alcohol policies of different countries: A comparative analysis. Journal of Public Policy, 12(3), 155–173.
  • Anderson, P., & Baumberg, B. (2018). Alcohol in health and society: An overview of global perspectives. Oxford University Press.
  • Institute of Medicine. (2014). Reducing underage drinking: A collective responsibility. National Academies Press.
  • Harwood, H., & Napolitano, L. (2022). Drinking laws and youth behavior: An evaluation. Journal of Law and Public Policy, 34(2), 245–263.
  • Wagenaar, A. C., & Toomey, T. L. (2018). Lowering the drinking age: Outcomes and controversies. American Journal of Public Health, 108(12), 1620–1624.
  • World Health Organization. (2019). Global status report on alcohol and health. WHO Press.
  • Zeidner, M., & Matthews, G. (2019). Critical thinking and bias: An integrative review. Educational Psychology Review, 31(2), 217–234.

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