Drinking Age Research Paper

DRINKING AGE The age of being considered “legal” in the U.S. is eighteen years old. You can be charged as an adult, run for legislature, can be held accountable for a contract, and join the military to risk your life but you still cannot drink a beer. In the mid 1930’s, the illegal drinking age in the U.S. was set to twenty one. However, during the Vietnam War, young people were risking their life for their country, so in consideration, twenty nine states lowered the legal drinking age to eighteen. While Ronald Reagan was in office, he passed the uniform drinking age, requiring the drinking age to be set at twenty one. Some countries have no laws regarding when someone can legally consume alcohol, others allowing drinking as early as sixteen.
Despite the high drinking age, the number of car accidents related to drinking and driving is higher in the U.S. than any other country. (Lowering 2015). By lowering the drinking age, it will decrease the thrill of breaking the law which will make it less interesting and fun to drink. The fear of being caught, limits on availability to alcohol makes kids drink very heavily at a fast paste called “pre-gaming” which is a potential risk for alcohol poisoning. Also, it puts teens at risk for driving home and being scared to call home for a ride after drinking. (Speak up 2015). MLDA is largely ineffective because the majority of teens continue to consume alcohol anyway. Drinking alcohol is an enjoyable activity, eighteen- twenty year old adults should not be denied that enjoyment when most others activities are legal at eighteen. (Drinking 2015).