The Pros And Cons Of Lowering Age

The idea of lowering the drinking age from twenty one years old to eighteen years old is an issue that has been talked about and debated for many years. Some people believe that if one is old enough to vote for our next leader, they should be able to make the choice to drink. Others believe that an eighteen year old brain is still too underdeveloped to be able to take alcohol. There are many positives and negatives to passing this policy to lower the age for drinking. However, this policy will do more good than any sort of harm. There is a political debate that is going on for far too long unresolved. There are many positives and negatives behind passing a bill like this. When the country changed the drinking age from eighteen to twenty-one,

Well it does keep alcohol from being so easy to get for people younger than 18. If the age was lowered it could possibly make it easier for people under 18 to get it, as “Newly-legal drinkers often purchase alcohol for their underage peers, creating a "trickle-down" effect. Surveys show that the most common source of alcohol among 18- to 20-year olds is their 21- to 24-year-old peers.” (Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered from 21 to a Younger Age?). Alcohol can also effect developing brains, and as an 18 year old, your brain has not yet fully developed. The developing process for your brain could be hurt or affected by heavy short term or long term alcohol effects. Studies show that increased use of alcohol at eighteen years old could increase “the risk of depression, memory loss, reduced decision-making capacity, and risk-taking behavior, such as addiction, suicide and violence.” (9 Prevailing Pros and Cons of Lowering the Drinking Age). Eighteen year olds also aren't the most responsible drinkers either. Some believe that lowering the drinking age wouldn't affect how safe or unsafe eighteen year old drinkers consume their alcohol (Should the Drinking Age Be