Some countries impose strict laws on the minimum age of alcohol consumption. However, this is not the case in other countries that suggest a lack of such rules is a better policy. Although prioritizing legal ages seems impossible to have an impact, I would argue that reinforcing them is pivotal for youth’s health and social order.
Undeniably, the effectiveness of the law is questionable. Despite legal restrictions, many young people still find ways to drink, making it even more difficult for the government to maintain control. For example, in the USA, the legal drinking age is 21, one of the highest in the world. However, underage drinking is widespread because teenagers and college students find ways to access alcohol through fake IDs and older friends. Additionally, a “forbidden drinking age” might make alcohol more appealing to young people. They usually strive to drink for the sake of validation from peers who do not have the same rights, fostering a sense of competitiveness among even more people. As a result, such laws may lead to underage drinking in unsafe environments or illegal alcohol sales, which, in turn, increases the number of problems the government agencies have to manage. Thus, not emphasising strict laws is proposed as a better option.
Notwithstanding the doubts about the efficiency of strict drinking laws, I firmly believe that they contribute to many severe issues if neglected. First and foremost, the role of such rules is to protect young people’s health. Alcohol consumption damages overall well-being, especially brain development, resulting in cognitive and behavioral problems in the long term. For instance, much research has linked excessive alcohol consumption to a reduced life expectancy due to the development of various diseases, such as cancer. Furthermore, an austere law reinforcement is crucial for social safety and crime prevention. Alcohol misuse among young people is likely to increase crime rates and anti-social behavior, such as demanding money from pedestrians or performing reckless manoeuvers on cars. Therefore, prioritizing drinking legal rights is of great significance.
In conclusion, even if introducing strict laws on alcohol consumption might be considered pointless as young people often manage to access alcohol through legal ways, implementing austere policies is indispensable for both individuals and the state.