Should Drinking Age Be Lowered Essay

Should the Drinking Age be Lowered?

In the United States turning 18 is a big deal. Young adults are told that at the tender age of 18 they are an adult. They are legally able to purchase tobacco products, register and vote in elections, enlist and serve for the military, be tried as an adult, but they are not legally able to make the choice to purchase or consume alcohol.

Why is the drinking age 21? The drinking age was not always at 21 in the United States. States had the right to choose at which age they wanted their citizens to drink legal. In the beginning of America’s history until 1919, there was no national drinking age. The drinking age varied from state-to-state, but most states did not enforce it properly. Between 1920-1930,

There is a stigma that if the drinking age is lowered there would be motor vehicle accidents and more health problems. Lowering the drinking age to 18, would help eliminate the thrill of breaking the law on drinking until able to drink at 21. Since drink is not allowed, many young adults will hide and drink in basemnets, dorm rooms, home, etc, to hide the fact that they drink. This leads them to drink as much as they can in a short amount of time which is not healthy. In a New York Times article by John Cloud (2008), in many other countries but the United States at 28 you are considered legal to do things such as adopt a child, or vote. Alcohol should not be held on until after age 21 it ends up glorifying it. Many young adults are not taught how to drink in moderation and are more likely to abuse alcohol. According to Engs (2014) Because the 21-year-old drinking age law is not working, and is counterproductive, it behooves us as a nation to change our current prohibition law and to teach responsible drinking techniques for those who chose to consume alcoholic beverages. A lower drinking age would allow the chance for people to be watched and guidance on how to drink