Alcohol Drinking Age

855 Words2 Pages

Throughout the years, the age for consumption and purchase of alcohol has frequently changed. One of the many reasons it is now back to the age of 21, is because of past occurrences that have happened when the age was lower. Citizens, who believe the age should be the same as the voting age, are usually around that age, 18. Although the opinions of some people is to change the legal drinking age to the legal voting age, many disadvantages would occur if the legal drinking age was changed to 18, such as vehicle related accidents, alcohol poisonings, & unintelligent community related decisions. Many changes have occurred through the years as far as changing the legal drinking age. In 1934, you had to be 21 years old to purchase and consume any type of alcohol beverage. In 1974, you could be 18 and purchase any beer product, but the wine and liquors age remained at 21. In 1981, if you were on premises, you could be 18 years old for consumption, but if you were off premises, you had to be 19 for consumption. 2 years after that in 1983, the age was 19 for all beer sales. Only 2 years later, they changed it so that if you were born on or after July 1, 1966 you were able to purchase all types of alcohol on your 21st birthday, and if you were born before that date, you retained beer purchases. The last year anything changed was in 1987 when the age was raised to 21 for all types of alcohol consumption. Alcohol at a young age can include many serious injuries, including vehicle accidents. According to M.A.D.D. (Mothers against Drunk Driving)”In 2010 the highest drunk driving rates were found amongst those ages 21 to 25 (23.4%), and 18 to 20 (15.1%). After age 25, the drunk driving rates decrease.” Many new drivers are around the age of ... ... middle of paper ... ...here is little or no social pressure to drink, irresponsible behavior is never tolerated, young people learn at home from their parents and from other adults how to handle alcohol in a responsible manner, there is societal consensus on what constitutes responsible drinking. (Paragraph 7, Ruth Engs). The opinions of some people for changing the legal drinking age would agree to change the legal drinking age to 18, the same as the legal voting age, where as there would be opposing people. Both sides have equal arguments, but keeping the age at 21 would be a more intelligent decision considering the health and death issues for minor drinkers. Although drinking is a very interesting and calling thing for minors to do, its consequences could affect not just that person, but if occurring in death, affecting the empty hole created in someone’s life you have once impacted.

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