The topic I am arguing against is: Is it OK to introduce alcohol to young children to educate them early on to its effects? I do not believe it is acceptable to introduce alcohol to young children to make them aware of its effects early on, as allowing them to consume this harmful substance will make them think it is acceptable to reoffend. Bad 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, leading 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, which would allow everyone to be mature enough to deal with alcohol, including its effects and repercussions. I don't think it's a good idea to introduce alcohol to young children to make them aware of its effects very early, because, at such a young and vulnerable age, alcohol can cause dependence, depression , legal problems and other physical and psychological problems. mental disorders, which is a risk that I believe should not be taken in this scenario. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Some parents or guardians may believe that allowing their underage child to drink will give them the experience they need with this substance at future, but statistics show that this is a bad decision on the part of the adult because “teenage drinking kills 4,700 people each 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 drunk driver, which is the leading cause of death among teens. “Children who start drinking young are seven times more likely to be involved in an alcohol-related accident” (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). In addition to the negative health effects and danger associated with alcohol consumption, psychological problems also arise from underage drinking: “high school students who consume alcohol or other substances are five times more likely to more likely to drop out of high school” (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). These problems associated with alcohol are why I do not believe that young children should be allowed to consume alcohol. Some arguments for introducing alcohol to young children include: With parental supervision, drinking by young children would not cause any problems. poor choices can be made without alcohol, occasional drinks will not turn a non-drinker into an alcoholic, and alcohol is not a gateway drug. I disagree with these arguments because ultimately alcohol is illegal for people under 18, so no matter what anyone says, underage drinking is wrong and has many consequences. “Underage drinking increases the risk of academic failure, illicit drug use and tobacco use. This can lead to a whole series of consequencesphysical, ranging from hangovers to death from alcohol poisoning, including suicide, homicide and road accidents. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). Knowing that youth drinking can damage the structure of their child's brain, thereby causing future alcohol use or abuse, should be enough to prevent parents from believing that introducing alcohol to their children is a good idea. One consequence I have witnessed regarding alcohol myself is hearing about a kid I know from high school dying in a drunk driving incident. I saw a car destroyed in a drunk driving incident posted on the side of the road as a message from the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Association. Being a minor myself with many minor friends, it really hits home to me knowing that some of these people may one day make the wrong choice and find themselves 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 on alcohol and other drugs" (Galson), emphasis on education, active participation in the community, positive adult role models and "citizen action to reduce the commercial and social availability of alcohol” (Galson). Even preventing underage drinking in a child's life could save their lives as well as the lives of others they would otherwise put at risk if placed in a situation where the consequences of underage drinking were derived. As our generation is the next to lead our country, I believe it is better to instill a sense of leadership and responsibility from a young age to encourage a prosperous future rather than introducing alcohol. I believe that introducing alcohol at a young age will raise awareness, but in a negative way. Children may not see the consequences at this age, but rather the potential pleasure that consuming this psychotropic substance can provide. The 21 and over law is in place to ensure that someone who is legally allowed to drink is mature enough to make adult decisions; therefore, I do not believe that underage children should drink for any reason. Signs of underage drinking or alcohol abuse are fairly easy to spot due to the physical and psychological imbalances that accompany alcohol consumption. Low grades, motivation, social improvement, and reduced life purpose are just a few signs that should be used to detect underage drinkers and prevent it from becoming a lifelong 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. Juvenile possession can be classified as a first- or second-degree misdemeanor, with penalties that may include jail, probation, and a permanent criminal record. (Baker). A friend of mine was at a bar one day and was charged with "minor in possession", was taken to jail for the night and fined $500 as well as 30 hours of community service compulsory and to a strike on his locker. For me, the record is enough that I don't want to drink under the legal age, because I know my future depends on a clean record, and getting drunk once at a bar or party is just not worth my money. future opportunities..