The argument I'm arguing against is: Is it okay to introduce alcohol to young children to make them aware of its effects? I don't think it's right to introduce alcohol to kids to make them aware of its effects because allowing them to consume this harmful substance will make them think it's acceptable to repeat it. Wrong choices will result from this scenario because young children are not mature enough to realize the consequences of the situation. Children who drink alcohol may not know how to control themselves, which leads to addiction, problems or worse. I believe that introducing this mind-altering substance to children could very likely lead them to more harmful substances. Some children who start drinking at a young age become alcoholics before they are legally allowed to drink. I believe the drinking age should remain at 21, allowing everyone to be mature enough to handle alcohol, including its effects and repercussions. I do not think it is a good idea to introduce alcohol to young children to make them aware of its effects, because, at such a young and vulnerable age, alcohol can cause addiction, depression, legal problems and other physical problems and mental disorders , which is a risk I don't think we should take in this scenario. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Some parents or guardians may believe that allowing their underage children to drink will give them the experience they need with the substance in the future, but statistics show that this is a bad decision on the part of the adult because “the Teen alcohol use kills 4,700 people every year, more than all illegal drugs combined” (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Many consequences are very likely when teens drink, including car accidents involving an underage drinking driver, which is the leading cause of death for teens "kids who start drinking young are seven times more likely to be in an accident alcohol-related" (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). In addition to the negative health effects and danger that comes from drinking, psychological problems also arise related to underage drinking: “high school students who use alcohol or other substances are five times more likely to drop out high school” (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). These problems associated with alcohol are reasons why I do not believe children should be allowed to consume alcohol. Some arguments that agree that children should be introduced to alcohol include: with parental supervision, children drinking would not cause any harm, bad choices can be made without alcohol, occasional drinks will not turn a teetotaler into a alcoholic and alcohol is not a gateway drug. I disagree with these arguments, because essentially, alcohol is illegal for anyone under 18, so any way you slice it, underage drinking is harmful and has many consequences. “Underage drinking increases the risk of academic failure, illicit drug use, and tobacco use. It can cause a range of physical consequences, from hangovers to death from alcohol poisoning, suicide, homicide and traffic accidents. (National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). Know that alcohol use by young people can damage the structure of their children's brains, resulting in future alcohol use or abuseit should be enough to keep parents from believing that introducing alcohol to their children is a good idea. One consequence I personally witnessed regarding alcohol was the news of a guy I've known since high school who died in a drunk driving accident. I saw a car destroyed in a drunk driving accident displayed on the side of the road as a message from the Association for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Being a minor myself with many underage friends, it really affects me knowing that some of these people might one day make the wrong choice and end up in one of these difficult situations. Some effective alcohol prevention techniques that I believe should be used to help children make the right decision regarding this readily available harmful substance include forming an involved family that shares “developmentally appropriate information about alcohol and other drugs.” (Galson), emphasis on education, active involvement with the community, positive adult role models, and “citizen action to reduce the commercial and social availability of alcohol” (Galson). Preventing underage drinking in a child's life could also save their life along with the lives of others they would otherwise put in danger if they were put in a situation where a consequence resulted from underage drinking. Since our generation will be the next to rule our country, I think it is better to instill a sense of leadership and responsibility at an early age to encourage a successful future rather than introducing alcohol. I think introducing alcohol at a young age raises awareness, but in a negative way. At this age children may not see the consequences, but rather the potential enjoyment that can come from using this mind-altering substance. The 21+ law is in place to ensure that someone who is legally allowed to drink is mature enough to make decisions as an adult; so I don't think underage people should drink for any reason. The signs of underage drinking are pretty easy to spot due to the physical and psychological imbalances that come with drinking. Poor grades, motivation, social improvement and little purpose in life are just a few signs that should be used to find underage drinkers and prevent this from becoming an ongoing problem and eventually an addiction. “In Florida, it is illegal for a person under the age of 21 to possess or drink an alcoholic beverage. Underage possession can be classified as a first- or second-degree felony, with penalties that can include prison time, probation and a permanent criminal record. (Baker). One of my friends was once at a bar and was charged with a "minor in possession", was taken to jail for the night and given a $500 fine along with a mandatory 30 hours of community service and one strike on his criminal record. For me, the record is enough to not make me want to drink underage, because I know my future depends on a clean record, and getting drunk once at a bar or party just isn't worth my future job opportunities and stuff. like that. I think this sense of consequence should be instilled in children, but not by physically introducing them to alcohol itself. I think a parent discussing the statistical consequences of alcohol with their child should be enough to warn them of their possible fate should they choose to engage in this illegal and harmful behavior. With our generation slowly becoming adults and the next leaders of In the world, it would be quite difficult to achieve this goal if the.