Drinking Age

The legal age to consume an alcoholic beverage should be lowered to 18 because if 18 year olds are old enough to serve in war, vote for the president, and get married they should be able to consume an alcoholic beverage. Since the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 was passed, it was said that all states had to raise their possession and purchasing of alcohol to be 21 years of age. As an outcome this made the legal age for alcohol in the United States to be 21. Based on my research and the evidence I've obtained, I believe the drinking age should be lowered to 18. It was once said that the 18th amendment which stated the prohibition of alcohol would reduce crime, help improve health and hygiene, and would help lower the tax increase over prisons. As you can see prohibition amongst society did not work then and prohibition on people under 21 sure isn't working now. As you turn 18 you're categorized by society as a formal legal adult. Becoming 18 we acquire major responsibilities and decisions that impact our lives and the lives of others. The government says we have the right to vote for our commanding leaders, the right to kill while serving in war, and the right to decide a cases verdict while participating in a jury, but we don't have the right to consume a sip of alcohol. If this is the case we shouldn't be titled as an adult we should be classified as restricted adults.

The drinking age being 21 is a law that is unsuccessful just like prohibiting alcohol from society as a whole. People under the age of 21 rebels against this law and in rebelling, deaths and injuries are both seen regularly. Not being able to drink till your 21 is dangerous in the sense that people become more anxious and intolerant. People drink because it is part of being an adult, a name given by society after the ages of 18. If the drinking age wasn't 21 people wouldn't feel the need to go out and drink till their completely intoxicated because it wouldn't be such a big deal. Although drunk driving is seen in people who are under 21, it is said to be associated with the law. If the law stated that drinking was legal at the age of 18, people would be able to drink at restaurants, bars, and other places not far from home. The use of a car wouldn't be necessary because people wouldn't have to drive out to insecure places that let anyone drink. Research shows that since the 1980's drinking and driving has decrease. Although the government says drinking and driving has decreased because the age for purchasing alcohol is higher, they don't recognize the other possibilities. There's been an increase in seat belt and air bag use, educational programs that are related with drunk driving, designated driver programs, and free taxi services provided by drinking corporations. The usage of fake ids is also often used by people not old enough to drink. If the drinking age was lowered there wouldn't be people doing as much illegal actions in order to obtain alcohol.

Throughout the 1970's when young men fought in the Vietnam War, the issue on the drinking age being 21 was a problem. People found it absurd that they could not drink alcohol before they go and serve their country. Although about 29 states changed the drinking age to 18, 19, and 20 it went right back up a few years later. People have always questioned the fact that 18 year olds can fight in war but can't drink alcohol. Our government forces all 18 year old males to sign up for the Selective Service, for possible drafting. While being in war you are responsible for protecting your country. Soldiers take on major responsibilities, one that only an adult can handle. If they are responsible enough to protect their country, they should be responsible enough to consume alcohol. It's ludicrous how the government lets 18 year olds carry lethal weapons to kill enemies at war but consuming alcohol under the