Drinking Age: Persuasive Speech Outline

Introduction

The drinking age in the United States has been a topic of controversy for many years. Currently, the legal drinking age is 21, but there are ongoing debates about whether it should be lowered to 18. In this speech, I will present evidence and arguments to support the idea of lowering the drinking age to 18, including the potential positive outcomes and the inconsistencies in current laws and regulations.

Main Point 1: Lowering the drinking age promotes responsible drinking

Many argue that lowering the drinking age to 18 would encourage responsible drinking habits among young adults. Research has shown that in countries with lower drinking ages, such as in Europe, young people are exposed to alcohol at an earlier age and are therefore more likely to learn responsible drinking behaviors. According to a study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, young people in countries with lower drinking ages have lower rates of binge drinking and alcohol-related accidents. Lowering the drinking age would provide young adults with the opportunity to learn how to drink responsibly in a supervised environment, rather than engaging in risky drinking behaviors in secret or in unsupervised settings.

Main Point 2: Inconsistencies in the law

Another argument for lowering the drinking age is the inconsistency in the law. At the age of 18, individuals are considered adults in the eyes of the law and are granted various rights and responsibilities, such as the right to vote and the ability to serve in the military. It is illogical that individuals can be trusted with important decisions such as choosing the country's leaders or risking their lives in combat, but are not allowed to consume alcohol. Lowering the drinking age would align the law with the responsibilities and rights granted to individuals at the age of 18, creating a more coherent legal framework.

Main Point 3: Alcohol education and harm reduction

Lowering the drinking age would also allow for more effective alcohol education and harm reduction initiatives. Currently, many young adults engage in underage drinking due to the allure of breaking the law and the lack of supervision and education about responsible drinking. By lowering the drinking age, educational programs and harm reduction strategies could be implemented in schools and communities to teach young adults about the risks of alcohol consumption and how to drink responsibly. This approach has been successful in other countries with lower drinking ages, leading to a reduction in alcohol-related harm among young adults.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lowering the drinking age to 18 would promote responsible drinking, address inconsistencies in the law, and allow for more effective alcohol education and harm reduction initiatives. By aligning the legal drinking age with the age of adulthood and providing young adults with the opportunity to learn responsible drinking habits, we can create a safer and more coherent approach to alcohol consumption. It is time to reconsider the current drinking age laws and work towards a more reasonable and effective approach to alcohol regulation.