The legal drinking age in the United States is 21. The age at which most people I know began drinking socially was probably closer to 16. Anyone who is drinking underage can be given a "drinking ticket" which can permanently affect their ability to acquire a job or other things of that nature. The consequences of drinking underage are not, however, doing a very good job of deterring people under the age of 21 to consume alcohol. Why did over 85% of my incoming freshman class in college admit to having had a drink during our freshman orientation. Is it fun? Does it taste good? Does it feel good? Is it "cool"? Lets think about this-
If the drinking age was lowered to 18 we would see...
Well these three things alone ought to convince us that lowering the drinking age is a ridiculous thought, right? Or....maybe not. We would also likely see
It also allows our service men and women who put their lives on the line daily to partake. If you can die for your country, then, in my opinion, you should be allowed to have a drink. No longer will teenagers be uneducated about the risks associated with drinking. No longer will students drive themselves home because they can't allow their parents to find out. No longer will students look at drinking as an illicit and tempting activity which is a line to be crossed. Besides, most of it tastes bad anyway.
If the drinking age was lowered to 18 we would see...
- initially an increase in recklessness and alcohol abuse in that age group (18-20)
- More partying among high school/college aged people
- a probable increase in the number of accidents related to alcohol
Well these three things alone ought to convince us that lowering the drinking age is a ridiculous thought, right? Or....maybe not. We would also likely see
- a better understanding of the appropriate consumption of alcohol among youth Which would imply...
- less alcohol related deaths due to binge drinking and hazing
- less stigma around the idea of drinking
- less accidents with DUIs because of an understanding that drinking safely is no longer illegal and no longer will they be forced to keep their consumption secret
It also allows our service men and women who put their lives on the line daily to partake. If you can die for your country, then, in my opinion, you should be allowed to have a drink. No longer will teenagers be uneducated about the risks associated with drinking. No longer will students drive themselves home because they can't allow their parents to find out. No longer will students look at drinking as an illicit and tempting activity which is a line to be crossed. Besides, most of it tastes bad anyway.