Why the drinking age should be lowered.
07/09/2011 Pg. 1-2 By: Taj Webster
I believe the drinking age should be lowered to about 19 years old, even 18.
If you can serve in the military at 18 and die for this country, you should be able to have a drink.
I think with some drinking education this can actually happen, for the most part, a lot of under students
are already drinking. I’d hope after some evaluation and statistics people would see this may not be a bad
thing.
The age limit to purchase alcohol is 21, but yet most students under that age drink more than the
legal ones do and its usually in a bad way. It can be because of peer pressure or maybe students just
thinking it’s the right thing to do and its really not. The United States has tried prohibition legislation
twice in the past for controlling irresponsible drinking problems. Professor Ruth C. Engs, of Indiana
University stated “This was during National Prohibition in the 1920s and state prohibition during
the1850s. These laws were finally repealed because they were unenforceable and because the backlash
towards them caused other social problems.” I’d say that is true because it is definitely not working now.
The Essay on Drinking Age Drink Prohibition Alcohol
... prohibition for people under the age of 21 is not working now. The solution is to lower the drinking age to 18. Historically, the drinking age ... irresponsible drinking problems. This was during National Prohibition in the 1920's and state prohibition during ... age is 21 years of age, a majority of college students under this age consume alcohol but in an irresponsible manner. This is because drinking ...
The U.S tends to think that if you aren’t 21, you won’t be able to control yourself, which I don’t see is
true with a little education on alcohol. According to statistics, it is shown that students under 21 drink
more than students of the legal age. Professor Engs also uses this example “Those under the age of 21 are
more likely to be heavy — sometimes called “binge” — drinkers (consuming over 5 drinks at least once a
week).
For example, 22% of all students under 21 compared to 18% over 21 years of age are heavy
drinkers. Among drinkers only, 32% of under age compared to 24% of legal age are heavy drinkers.”
but I’d have to disagree on that because there are many legal drinks who can consume irresponsibly as
well.
A big problem with under age drinking according to research is drinking and driving, but studies
studies show that in the 1980s there was a decrease in that. In my opinion I agree, all the ones I hear
about are of the legal drinkers getting DUI’s. Professor Eng goes on to say,” The decrease in drinking and
driving problems are the result of many factors and not just the rise in purchase age or the decreased per
capita consumption. These include: education concerning drunk driving, designated driver programs,
increased seat belt and air bag usage, safer automobiles, lower speed limits, free taxi services from
drinking establishments, etc.” Those are some valid points, we have enough knowledge now over the
years for this not to be a problem to the under age students.
So why do you have to be 21 to consume alcohol? Isn’t because this nation thinks that’s when you
are mature enough. Alcohol isn’t a bad thing, it’s better than killing someone in my eyes. Why is it that
you don’t have to be a certain age to shoot a gun or die for this country. Not every under age student is
The Essay on Under Age Underage Drink
Eighteen year old people should be allowed to drink alcohol. When our 18 th birthday roles around we become of legal age. We sign for the draft and become eligible to fight for our country. Its possible now to be charged as an adult and spend life in prison and we can now purchase tobacco products and all other drug paraphernalia. I cant drink beer though, I must wait till my 21 st birthday. As a ...
irresponsible, especially if they have great teachings within their home. Education is key to a lot of things
and I believe people should be educated on this.