There is an ongoing discourse over a legal drinking age, with some advocating for strict regulations, and others believe that a policy aimed at building responsible drinking culture is unnecessary. While there are some potential short-term benefits from selling alcoholic beverages to all age groups, I believe that it might negatively influence the overall well-being of young people and the society.
On the one hand, allowing people to purchase alcohol at any age could bring about some economic benefits. Without age limits, businesses could sell alcohol to a broader customer base, resulting in increased revenue. As demand rises, the price of alcohol could increase, contributing to high profits for companies and governments in the form of taxes. Increased revenue might make way for improvements in public services and better infrastructure in society. Therefore, some people believe that unrestricted access to alcohol consumption is beneficial for governments and businesses.
However, there are some drawbacks to drinking alcohol, especially for young people. Young adults and teenagers are believed to be impulsive and have reckless behavior, which, in turn, could cause issues with alcohol consumption. Without a legal age limit, there is a higher chance of developing unhealthy drinking habits, leading to long-term health problems, addiction or accidents. Moreover, alcohol abuse distracts them from their academic and professional futures, reducing their overall contribution to the development of the society they live in. These consequences can place a strain on the overall well-being of societies and lead to social problems.
Setting a legal drinking age could mitigate issues associated with alcohol overconsumption. When people reach a certain age, they tend to make informed decisions, including purchasing alcohol. The policy that allows individuals who are mature enough to buy alcoholic beverages could foster a more responsible drinking culture. Moreover, once such a law is introduced to the public, the role of alcohol becomes less attractive among young people, reducing the number of crimes committed by them. Thus, many, including me, remain convinced that the socially potential benefits of this law far outweigh its economic advantages.
In conclusion, while the absence of legal drinking age restrictions might offer short-term economic gains, long-term societal and health problems are too great to overlook. A legal drinking age not only protects young individuals from the harmful effects of alcohol, but also contributes to society as a whole. Hence, I strongly believe that enforcing age limits on alcohol is a more sustainable policy.