Underage Drinking of Alcohol

The debate about the legal consumption of alcohol is one that sets a split opinion.

Most opinions rely on either a cultural heritage or religion influence. Others have more personal opinions on why there should be a legal age limit on alcohol consumption. However, there are others who argue the mental and physical effects alcohol can have on your body. 

From personal experiences with either an abusive spouse or parents as a child, to being part of the Thirteenth Greater Sin in Islam (www.al-islam.org), there are several viewpoints on why the legal drinking age is what it is. 

Teenage drinking according to the NY Times, suggest that "what was once a social and moral debate has soon moved on and become a neurobiological one". The NY Times also mention that a "mounting research suggest that alcohol causes more damage to the developing brains of teenagers rather than those of adults (www.nytimes.com)."

In conclusion, from all information gathered so far by researchers about the reasons why the starting legal drinking age in the United States is 21. It makes sense that alcohol consumption should begin at a stage where the brain is somewhat developed and can cause less harm as opposed to teens and young adults that still possess a developing brain.

The images above show the brain activity of a 15-year-old nondrinker, top, and a drinker, bottom.

Susan Tapert/University of California, San Diego