In recent years there has been an ongoing debate on whether or not, the United States should lower the drinking age to 18. For many reasons people both young and old argue on why the legal drinking age should be reduced. Throughout politics it is a well debated topics, with people defending each side for various reasons. Throughout these arguments although, there have been valid points on each side, lowering drinking age to 18 would be better for the nation.
One of the most common reasons why individuals argue that the 18 is the legal age of adulthood. If an individual can receive “the rights and responsibilities of adulthood to vote, smoke cigarettes, serve on juries, get married, sign contracts, be prosecuted as adults, and join the military” then they should be able to decide whether they want to drink or not (Procon.org). Individuals argue that 18 is too young of an age to properly handle alcohol consumption, but if that is the case than the legal age of adulthood should increase to 21. Others also argue that the current legal age law, is highly ineffective. Research “According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, underage drinking accounts for 17.5% ($22.5 billion) of consumer spending for alcohol in the United States”(Procon.org) . Many individuals in-between the ages of 18 and 20 say that they enjoy drinking, even though it is illegal for them to drink. Within debates from the military, it has been argued that eighteen year olds deserve to be able to drink, if they are allowed to fight for their country. Many people do simply do not think it is fair for an individual to die for the country, carry and shoot guns, but can have a simple beer or wine at dinner. Recently a senator in Maryland proposed a bill to allow “service members under twenty-one to drink beer and wine at a bar or restaurant after showing valid military identification… the law would not allow legal drinking of hard liquor or buying alcohol at a store to take home” (Lambert). Military generals believe that it is okay for service members to drink, at least on base only, if they are under the …show more content…
If the drinking age was reduced, that would mean more eighteen years olds would be allowed in establishments such as bars, restaurants, and clubs. This would mean “revenue would increase for private business owners, and greater amounts of tax revenue would be collected by the government” (Procon.org). This would not only help businesses but also help colleges as well. If the law was passed to lower the drinking age it “would help colleges make rules for the students to not get intoxicated” (change.org). Other debates explain that in countries around the world, the drinking age is 18 or lower, so why not in the US? It has been shown that countries who legally made the drinking age 18 has seen a decrease of drunk driving accidents, rather than in the America. Legalizing alcohol consumption would also mean getting rid of the thrill of drinking. Most eighteen to twenty year olds, drink because e it provides them enjoyment to break the law. If the U.S was to get rid of the thrill, through lowering the drinking age. This would eliminate “the taboo, motivating normal consumption of alcohol in the significant age bracket”
One of the most common reasons why individuals argue that the 18 is the legal age of adulthood. If an individual can receive “the rights and responsibilities of adulthood to vote, smoke cigarettes, serve on juries, get married, sign contracts, be prosecuted as adults, and join the military” then they should be able to decide whether they want to drink or not (Procon.org). Individuals argue that 18 is too young of an age to properly handle alcohol consumption, but if that is the case than the legal age of adulthood should increase to 21. Others also argue that the current legal age law, is highly ineffective. Research “According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, underage drinking accounts for 17.5% ($22.5 billion) of consumer spending for alcohol in the United States”(Procon.org) . Many individuals in-between the ages of 18 and 20 say that they enjoy drinking, even though it is illegal for them to drink. Within debates from the military, it has been argued that eighteen year olds deserve to be able to drink, if they are allowed to fight for their country. Many people do simply do not think it is fair for an individual to die for the country, carry and shoot guns, but can have a simple beer or wine at dinner. Recently a senator in Maryland proposed a bill to allow “service members under twenty-one to drink beer and wine at a bar or restaurant after showing valid military identification… the law would not allow legal drinking of hard liquor or buying alcohol at a store to take home” (Lambert). Military generals believe that it is okay for service members to drink, at least on base only, if they are under the …show more content…
If the drinking age was reduced, that would mean more eighteen years olds would be allowed in establishments such as bars, restaurants, and clubs. This would mean “revenue would increase for private business owners, and greater amounts of tax revenue would be collected by the government” (Procon.org). This would not only help businesses but also help colleges as well. If the law was passed to lower the drinking age it “would help colleges make rules for the students to not get intoxicated” (change.org). Other debates explain that in countries around the world, the drinking age is 18 or lower, so why not in the US? It has been shown that countries who legally made the drinking age 18 has seen a decrease of drunk driving accidents, rather than in the America. Legalizing alcohol consumption would also mean getting rid of the thrill of drinking. Most eighteen to twenty year olds, drink because e it provides them enjoyment to break the law. If the U.S was to get rid of the thrill, through lowering the drinking age. This would eliminate “the taboo, motivating normal consumption of alcohol in the significant age bracket”