Essay On Lowering The Drinking Age

In 1984, The National Minimum Drinking Age Act was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. The act requires all states to increase the minimum age a person can purchase or possess alcohol to 21. Even though the drinking Age Act was signed, most adults admit to having their first drink between the age of 15 to 16. The 6 year separation between the age an average person has their first drink, and the age which it is legal to drink shows how unrealistic the act is. The legal drinking age should be lowered to 18 because it is an age where a person becomes a legal adult and responsible for their own actions. The first reason the minimum drinking age should be lowered is it will remove the drive of young adults to drink for the sake of rebellion. The Middlebury College President, John M. McCardell Jr., who is also a charter member of President Against Drunk Driving came out in favor of lowering the drinking age to 18 years old, in a 2004 New York Times opinion article saying, "Our latter day prohibitionists have driven drinking behind closed door and underground," he also says, "Colleges should be given the chance to educate students, who in all other respects are adults, in the appropriate use of alcohol within campus boundaries and out in

Though some people mature faster and take on responsibilities at different ages, in all cases except drinking, you are no longer considered a child by 18. The age a person can be married and start a family varies from state to state, but all are under 18. At 18, a person is old enough to join the military and risk their lives for the country. The most important responsibility given to young adults at 18 is the right to vote. If a person can determine the fate of the country, fight for the country and take on the responsibilities of raising a family they should be permitted to make their own decision about drinking