The proposal argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The proposal argument - Essay Example The age of 18 earns one the badge of adulthood that makes him or her subject to trials in adult courts for any violation or crime committed, if any. Furthermore, several statistical data from NHTSA show the many inconsistencies regarding the supposed link of alcohol consumption to vehicular accidents and fatalities due to drunk driving. There are nations with more leniency in alcohol consumption that do not have the same vehicular accident concerns as the U.S. Unless the risks of alcohol consumption are lessened by maintaining the legal age for alcohol consumption at 21, the legal age for drinking alcohol should be lowered to 18. While there are many people and organizations who oppose the current MLDA, its advocates maintain that lowering the legal age for alcohol consumption would bring more risks than benefits. For one, it is said that consuming alcohol at an earlier age increases the possibilities of alcoholism in adulthood. Some say that brain development continues until age 20, and consuming alcohol prior to full brain growth can inhibit some of the brain’s development and potential. ... HTSA) statistics on â€Å"Alcohol Impaired Driving,† the decrease in the fatalities due to drunk driving did not decrease in accordance with the MLDA (NHTSA â€Å"Alcohol Impaired Driving† & Voas, Tippetts, and Fell 581). Furthermore, the MLDA proves to be counterproductive and hinders the more effective strategy of teaching responsible consumption of alcohol (Gulliver and Begg 774). It is a fact that cannot be denied that almost all of the political-, social-, personal-, and business-related activities can be done at 18 years of age (Ferreira and Willoughby 15). Everyone knows that a person aged 18 can, and is allowed to vote for the leaders of the land. It is ridiculous that a person can be trusted to choose the political leaders for his or her country yet be untrusted in terms of alcohol consumption. Everyone knows too that getting married at 18 is legal. It is ridiculous that a person can be trusted to be another person’s life partner yet be untrusted in term s of alcoholic drinks. Voting and marriage are both greater and heavier responsibilities when compared to alcohol consumption. Another interesting fact here is the legality of being a foster parent at 18. A person who is 18 years is deemed adult enough to be entrusted with the care and well-being of a minor, yet is deemed too young to drink alcohol. These adults are even allowed to enter into legally binding contracts at 18. Furthermore, it seems awkward and illogical to prohibit newly married 20-year old couples from sipping champagne at their own weddings. 18 earns an individual the rights and privileges of adults, including the fact that the adult will be subject to trials in adult courts for any violation or crime committed, if any (Subbaraman and Kerr 293). When one is considered a minor, the individual is