Many people nowadays decide the way they live. Some individuals, however, argue that the government should make informed decisions to assist citizens in having healthier lives. I do not think this opinion is justified and believe that individuals should decide their lifestyle independently.
The reasoning behind the view that decisions regarding the lifestyle of people should be made by the government relies on a compelling argument. Nowadays, some people are extremely busy with their professional lives, thereby not paying much attention to the way they live. They consume junk food on a daily basis and do not get enough sleep, which may lead to severe health issues such as diabetes. To reduce the risk of such diseases, the government might make informed decisions regarding the lifestyle of citizens.
I, however, do not consider this argument particularly convincing and believe that every individual must be accountable for their lifestyle. Since the ideas of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle vary widely, what the government decides for people may be in conflict with ordinary people’s views. For instance, some people may prefer a vegetarian diet to the one that includes meat. The government, however, might decide that meat is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, even though some people do not consume it. In other areas, such as religious practices, the description of a healthy lifestyle varies significantly.
To conclude, it might seem tempting to place the responsibility for determining citizens’ lifestyles to make them healthier. Yet, I am of the opinion that people are better served if they are given the right to choose the way they live, to reduce the risk of conflict between government policies and individual preferences.