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You choose - Essay Example The Hammurabi code also devoted some sections to deal with the problems created by alcohol abuse. In the American society, the place of alcohol had been ambivalent. Drinking has been termed as the major cause of economic catastrophe. Drinking has been blamed for causing crimes, military defeats and diseases as well. To manage the crisis, the drinking ages have been increased in order to save young people from the vice. Since the early 1800s, organized efforts have been made to limit drinking and the role of alcoholic beverages in the U.S. However, the subject of alcohol has provoked strong conflict and controversy. Alcohol has proved to be the symbolic issue where the struggle for primacy in social status has been fought between the differing life styles. Although alcohol is associated with numerous personal and social problems, its use is widely accepted. In 1970, congress passed an amendment that granted the right to vote to citizens between the ages of 18 to 21. The movement started to extend other rights and privileges of adulthood to those aged 18. Between 1970 and 1975, some 29 states reduced their minimal drinking age. However, the change provoked even more controversy since a concern arose over the number of young people involved in car accidents that happened to be alcohol related. Certainly, there was need to do something (Hanson). In order to solve the problem, a legal solution had to be sought through legislation. In order to resolve the issue, it would be necessary to determine the age at which young people are mature into adulthood. Alcohol consumption is dangerous and sinful. It can easily lead to problems in behavior. Drinking, in any degree is undesirable because moderate social drinking is the forerunner of chronic inebriations. Young people, if not everyone, ought to be protected from alcohol. Other attempts aside from minimizing the drinking age have been made too. Such