Due to the partying culture in colleges, drinking is typical behavior among their students. Over 80% of college students partake in drinking alcohol, while 50% of them consume it excessively on several occasions (Galbicsek par. 1). To fit into the crowd, people who joined the college as nondrinkers, change their minds, thus, adding to the already considerable number of drinkers in colleges. The culture of alcohol abuse has also become a social norm in colleges, with teetotalers often being discriminated against by other students and, eventually, caving into peer pressure.
The diversity among students reduces the effect of cultural beliefs, therefore, they have to discard their lifestyles to fit into the college habits. The phenomenon is observable in Tennessee, which was initially known as a dry state due to the stringent alcohol laws (“Tennessee Alcohol Laws”). However, state policymakers have introduced a new initiative, which allows the sale of alcohol in colleges and during local events, thus, encouraging more reserved students to drink (“Laws and policies regarding alcohol”). The drinking age of 21 is relatively high compared to the average age of 18 in most countries globally. Although the current drinking age is meant to discourage alcohol consumption, it only encourages teenagers who have been patiently waiting to become adults. Lowering the age limit will allow the students to try out alcohol earlier and will reduce the popularity of drinking in college. The approach will give students the chance to make their own decisions as to why or why not they want to drink alcohol. However, the major disadvantage of lowering the drinking age is the low self-control among young drinkers, therefore, more students are likely to fall into addiction.
References
Galbicsek, Carol. “College Alcoholism.”Alcohol Rehab Guide, 2020. Web.
“Laws and Policies Regarding Alcohol on TN College Campuses – MADD – Tennessee, State Office.”Mothers Against Drunk Driving. n.d. Web.
“Tennessee Alcohol Laws: Wise to Learn Them & Avoid Serious Problems!”Alcohol Problems & Solutions, 2019. Web.