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Persuasive Essay: The Right Age For Drinking

1255 Words6 Pages

The right age for drinking.
At exactly what age does a person become mature enough to drink? Alcoholic consumption began for many as a symbol of family, friends and or associates coming together to have a good time; celebrating life, accomplishments or special occasions. Most countries have a set minimum age that a person can consume alcohol. In South American countries the age minimum varies from sixteen to twenty one. In Canada the minimum age is eighteen; while in the United States it is twenty one.
Additionally, there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the minimum legal drinking age in the United States, whether it should be lowered to eighteen or remain at twenty one. The right age for drinking should remain at twenty one …show more content…

It is more likely that one who starts drinking before the age of 21 will drink excessively after having the first drink. The chances of one becoming a binge drinker later in life are higher for those who start drinking before their 21st birthday. Dewit argued, over 40% of all individuals who reported drinking alcohol before the age of 14 became alcohol dependent, four times the rate (10%) observed for those who first reported drinking at ages 20 and older (qtd. in Age at First Alcohol Use). Anderson-Carpenter also stated that binge drinking, is a common type of alcohol consumption affecting as many as 20% of youth in the United States. Studies have consistently shown that youth who engage in binge drinking are at an increased risk for other unhealthy behaviors and conditions, such as risky sexual behavior, acquiring sexually transmitted infections, using illicit drugs, and engaging in violence (qtd. in 36). As a result of underage drinking, an individual may grow up to be an alcoholic. As a result of excessive underage drinking, one may get themselves or others in trouble or in situations that they are not ready for. For example, after excessive underage drinking, two individuals engage in sexual activity and the female becomes pregnant. There is now an unwanted

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