The Argument for Lowering the Drinking Age to 18: Exploring How Young Adults, Who Are Eligible for Military Service and Voting, Should Also Have the Right to Drink Legally
The Argument for Lowering the Drinking Age to 18: Exploring How Young Adults, Who Are Eligible for Military Service and Voting, Should Also Have the Right to Drink Legally
One of the central arguments for lowering the legal drinking age to 18 is based on the principle of consistency in rights and responsibilities for young adults. In many countries, individuals aged 18 are already considered adults by law, eligible for military service, voting, and other legal responsibilities. If young adults are entrusted with decisions that affect the country’s future, such as voting in national elections or serving in the military, it is argued that they should also have the legal right to consume alcohol.
Proponents of lowering the drinking age contend that 18-year-olds are capable of making mature decisions regarding their health and safety, and alcohol consumption should be no exception. This view aligns with the broader notion of adulthood, where legal rights and responsibilities are extended to those over 18 in various areas, including the ability to drive, marry, and work full-time.
Moreover, there are significant social justice arguments. If 18-year-olds can be sent to fight in wars and make life-or-death decisions for their country, excluding them from drinking alcohol seems inconsistent and unfair. Advocates also argue that legalizing alcohol at 18 would allow young people to consume responsibly in regulated environments, such as bars and restaurants, rather than engaging in risky behaviors like underage drinking, which may occur in unsupervised settings. Lowering the drinking age could lead to safer, more informed drinking habits, contributing to overall public safety.
The Case for Raising the Drinking Age to 25: How Neurological Development and Maturity Could Warrant a Higher Legal Drinking Age for Health and Safety Reasons
While arguments for lowering the drinking age are prevalent, there is also a growing body of research suggesting that the drinking age could be raised to 25 to better align with the neurological development and maturity of young adults. Studies have shown that the human brain continues to develop well into the mid-20s, particularly in regions that control impulse control, decision-making, and risk assessment. These factors are crucial when considering behaviors such as alcohol consumption, which often leads to risky decisions and negative consequences in younger individuals.
When people drink, especially in their late teens and early twenties, their decision-making capacity can be impaired due to the incomplete development of the brain. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for assessing consequences and controlling impulses, is one of the last areas of the brain to fully mature. As a result, younger individuals are more likely to engage in binge drinking, alcohol abuse, and other behaviors that can have long-term health impacts.
Raising the drinking age to 25 could be a preventive measure, reducing the likelihood of alcohol-related accidents, alcohol poisoning, and chronic health conditions like liver disease and addiction. Additionally, research shows that individuals who begin drinking at an older age are less likely to develop alcohol dependency later in life. Proponents of raising the drinking age argue that the higher threshold would protect young people from early exposure to harmful drinking habits, leading to better long-term public health outcomes.
