Drinking Age To 21 Essay

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Recommended: The drinking age should remain at 21

According to research done by SUNY Potsdam, the mean drinking age around the world is 15.9 years old, the majority of countries (62%) have a drinking age set at 18 years old, and only seven countries, including the United States, have a drinking age of 21 (potsdam.edu). Does the United States government not see a trend here? Having a drinking age of 21 years old is outdated and unrealistic, and the rest of the countries around the world have come to realize this. Many American’s today have a liberal stance on this issue and agree it is time for a change. Liberals believe that the government should cooperate with the ever changing culture and follow the lead of many other countries who have successfully adopted a minimum drinking age of 18. On the other hand, conservative groups such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) believe that changing the drinking age of 21 is right and no change is needed. Despite the strong resistance from certain groups such as MADD, I believe Congress and the rest of America should consider lowering the drinking age to 18 because 18 year olds are already technically considered adults, disallowing 18-21 year olds to drink only increases unsafe “underground” binge drinking, and by changing the drinking age to 18 more safety precautions can be taken to avoid harm from drinking. I suggest the U.S. Congress should overrule their initial National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 and change the age from 21 to 18. The debate over the drinking age in the United States has been a long and prevalent issue in our country. The drinking age in the United States has varied, but as of 1984, the drinking age has remained 21. The debate began in 1920 when National Prohibition was passed as the 18th amendment in t... ... middle of paper ... ...e. Furthermore, if the drinking age is moved to 18, it takes the secrecy out of drinking for 18-20 year olds. If people from 18 up are allowed to drink, they can drink in public places such as bars rather than at underground parties. By allowing them to drink in public places, this age group can drink in a regulated environment with supervision all around who regulates alcohol consumption and helps make sure good decisions are being made. Moreover, if anybody happens to get sick from drinking or is put in a possible drunk driving situation, they can call for help without being worried about getting in trouble. America has turned to an age of underground binge drinking and if something is not done to change this, more fatalities may take place. America must follow the lead of other countries and slowly phase kids into learning how to drink responsibly.

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