Should the national drinking age be lowered to 18?

by Leeanna Haugen

Created on: February 21, 2010

A MATTER OF MATURITY

Would lowering the drinking age have a positive impact? There are those that believe that it will. However, the three years between the two ages can mean a world of difference to an individual. Alcohol use at an earlier age can affect the brain's development and increase the chances of future dependency.  Before deciding how you feel about the issue, consider some facts to help you make an informed opinion.

Brain Growth

Eighteen is not a magic number. Becoming a legal adult does not necessarily mean that an individual is fully mature. In fact, it is known that the part of the brain that is responsible for rational decision-making does not fully develop until around twenty-one in females and twenty-eight in males. So, one might ask, would permitting alcohol use while the brain is still developing be the wisest decision? The affects of alcohol on the brain is common knowledge these days. If an individual is not fully capable of making the most rational decisions sober, what kind of decisions will they make while under the influence of alcohol?

Dependency

The younger an individual is when the start consuming alcohol increases their odds of forming a chemical dependency. According to the National Institute on Alcohal Abuse and Alcoholism(NIAAA) "People who begin drinking early in life run the risk of developing serious alcohol problems, including alcoholism, later in life. They also are at greater risk for a variety of adverse consequences, including risky sexual activity and poor performance in school."

There are those that argue that lowering the drinking age will reduce the mystique of drinking. Although people's perceptions may initiate there first few drinking encounters, it is usually the affects of alcohol and social acceptance that encourage continuous use. The government has an obligation to the citizens to do their best to protect society. People will always find ways around rules and regulations or just completely disregard them, that does not mean that the government should give up doing what is in the best interest of society.

Upon reaching eighteen, individuals are bombarded with new social and economic responsibilities. They are eager to test out their newfound adulthood. However, their brains are not completely at their fullest potential in regards to decision-making. By waiting a few years to legally drink, they are allowing their brains to mature so they can make the best decisions for themselves.

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