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Legal drinking age

Some countries have legal ages at which people can drink. Other countries believe not having strict laws is a better policy.

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Different nations have different laws regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages for underage individuals. In my opinion, although alcohol consumption is safe for minors in certain cases, there should be a complete ban on the provision of liquor for these individuals to ensure their safety. 

Proponents of a more relaxed policy regarding underage drinking claim that the consumption of alcohol is safe under the supervision of adults. Most cases where children become intoxicated and seriously hurt themselves involve no adult supervision. Juveniles are much less likely to be involved in reckless activities when they are closely monitored by parents or a legal guardian to ensure they do not consume alcohol in excess. A good example of this would be during family gatherings, when minors drinking liquor is justifiable as the family can ensure they do not consume to the point of intoxication. Therefore, there should still be exceptional times when children can enjoy alcoholic beverages.          

However, advocates of a strict legal drinking age argue that this policy can effectively prevent teenagers from endangering themselves. Children are typically immature and therefore are more likely to make irrational decisions, even more so under the influence of alcohol. They may be encouraged by their peers into drinking well over their alcohol tolerance and putting themselves in life-threatening situations. Recent research and surveys have indicated that the most probable cause of death for most adolescents is drunk driving. If minors can buy and consume liquor without any restrictions, there is a strong likelihood that they will not only endanger themselves through alcohol poisoning, but also potentially cause fatal accidents. 

In conclusion, even though it is typically safe for minors to drink alcohol provided that they are supervised by adults, there should still be a minimum age requirement to safeguard teenagers in particular. Therefore, all countries around the world should enact strict laws to specify clear legal drinking ages. 

Vocabulary

Minors trẻ vị thành niên

Strictly nghiêm ngặt

Prohibited cấm 

Alcoholic beverages đồ uống có cồn 

Rigorous nghiêm ngặt 

Concerning về 

Legal hợp pháp

Typically nhìn chung

In certain cases trong một số trường hợp nhất định

Complete ban cấm hoàn toàn

Provision cung cấp 

Ensure đảm bảo

Proponents người ủng hộ 

Relaxed policy chính sách nới lỏng

Underage drinking uống đồ uống có cồn khi chưa đủ tuổi

Supervision sự giám sát   

Intoxicated say xỉn 

Seriously nghiêm trọng 

Reckless liều lĩnh 

Monitor giám sát 

Legal guardian người bảo hộ hợp pháp 

In excess quá mức 

Family gatherings tụ họp gia đình

Liquor rượu 

Exceptional ngoại lệ 

Times lần 

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