The Pros and Cons of Lowering The Legal Drinking Age

Two separate groups are debating the pros and cons of lowering the legal drinking age in the United States, with recent proposals that it should be reduced by three years. It’s believed that while it might fix some problems, it will breed another that the nation has faced in the 70s and 80.

• Opinions differ on whether the legal drinking age should be lowered to 18
• Between the 1970 and 1980, many states lowered the legal drinking age to 18 before it was changed back to 21 in 1985
• Some researchers suggest that this will stop binge drinking on college
• Others have stated that it will increase high school dropout rates

A report from the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs has brought forth the suggestion that the legal drinking age should be lowered from 21 years old to 18. Researchers have studied data from different areas, and reached the conclusion that lowering the age limit will reduce the need to binge drink in college.

For young adults between 18 and 24 years old, alcohol-induced car accidents is one of the leading causes in premature death. It’s also the cause of multiple diseases and conditions that are often associated with binge drinking. That is reportedly a consequence of students entering college, due to their need to drink in secret.

The rarer they can get their hands on alcohol, it has been suggested that the chances of abusing it is much higher. The study has, thus, stated that lowering the legal age drinking limit would led to less binge drinking.

The Pros and Cons of Drinking at 18

On the other end of the debate over the the pros and cons of drinking at 18, other researchers have claimed that lowering the limit to 18 would bring a significant impact on the high school dropout rates. Between 1970 and 1980, many U.S. states saw to decreasing the 21 year old age limit. According to their study, that increased high school dropout rates by 4-13%, as claimed by lead author Andrew Plunk.

It has been suggested that high school students had easier access to alcohol through their 18-year old friends.

The unfortunate consequence of lowering the age limit seems to have affected affect women more, as well as African-American and Hispanics more than whites. Furthermore, it was apparent that it caused more damage to students who had alcohol dependent parent, who saw an increase in dropout rates by 40%.

Pros and Cons of Lowering the Drinking Age to 18

However, the study has been inconclusive if the age limitation change has been the sole cause. Plunk admitted that certain environmental and personal factors might’ve have affected the numbers. He does claim that the study offers a potential insight into the consequences of lowering the legal age limit to 18 as well as the pros and cons of lowering the drinking age to that age.

So Should Drinking Age Be Lowered to 18 (Pros and Cons)

Some state that it would be the wise choice, while others combat it, so the change is not yet set in stone. There really is no definitive answer to this question, but debates are still going strong on this issue, should drinking age be lowered to 18 (pros and cons studied intensively).

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