Arguments Against Lowering The Drinking Age

Should the legal age for alcohol consumption be lowered? In the United States, The legal drinking age is 21, but in my research, I have found that it is actually allowed, under certain circumstances and situations, to people of even lower age. Though all 50 US states have set their minimum drinking age to 21, exceptions do exist on a state-by-state basis for consumption at home, under adult supervision, for medical necessity, and other reasons. In fact, all but 5 states, Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, New Hampshire, and West Virginia, under age drinking is permitted. Parents are allowed to furnish alcohol to minors if they are under proper supervision. Also bartenders are allowed to drink at 20 years old, which is the lowest legal bartending age.

The first and most used of the three arguments is that it could reduce or even eliminate unsafe drinking activities. One of the most dangerous times for drinking in the United States is between the ages of 18 - 20. Once a person reaches the age of 18, he or she gains all of his or her legal adult rights, except the right to drink. By allowing supervised drinking ability for those in the age bracket of 18 - 20, it could reduce or even eliminate risky drinking behaviors that can lead to bad decisions. Besides, it has not stopped teen drinking, and it probably never will. It has instead pushed underage binge drinking into private and less controlled environments, leading to more health and life-endangering behaviors by teens. If the legal drinking age was lowered, those teens would be able to drink in a more controlled and much more safe environment where they can be monitored and supervised. Then they will be less likely to harm themselves or others. The second argument that is used is that there are fewer drunk driving accidents in countries with lower drinking ages. In quite a few countries around the world, the legal drinking age is already 18. In these countries, there has been a very large downsize of drunk driving accidents, while in the United States, where the legal age is 21, there is a far larger number of these accidents, some of which tend to be fatal. The third

One main point that is argued is that younger brains are more susceptible to alcohol consumption and by lowering the drinking age, it would be approving the damage that alcohol causes in the developing brain. Emotional development, organization, and planning are all affected by alcohol consumption. Though it’s true that kids will still likely drink, that doesn’t mean society needs to approve of that decision. Another argument that is used is that more people drinking could create more unsafe environments. When people have too much alcohol, their decision-making skills are extensively lowered. This can lead to fights, unsafe sex, and other irrational and sometimes life threatening behaviors that could carry lifetime consequences. A third and very strong point is that there would be easier access to alcohol. Some kids who are 18 aren’t even out of high school yet. Because they would be legally allowed to purchase alcohol, there is likelihood that they would then provide this to their friends who may be underage, therefore increasing underage access to alcohol. In those countries that allow drinking at 18, although the death tolls from drunken driving is lower, there is a high illegal drinking population in those as young as