Legal Drinking Age Debate
“Legal drinking age should be lowered to 18”
Pros
* The age at which one is considered a legal adult in the US is typically 18. Turning 18 entails receiving 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 - which includes risking one's life. This recognition of maturity should also encompass the right to drink; if young people are responsible enough to fight for their country or have sex, they should be responsible enough to have a drink. In any case, studies show that many underage young people have tried alcohol; it is clear that the current legal restrictions do not work. Strong pt.
* 18-20 yr. olds are drinking regardless and lowering the legal age removes the ‘forbidden fruit’ guise surrounding underage drinking * Lowering MLDA 21 to 18 would make alcohol less of a taboo for adults newly entering college and the workforce, take away the thrill that many young people get from breaking the law, and make alcohol consumption a more normalized activity done in moderation. Strong pt.
* Lowering MLDA 21 to 18 would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to drink alcohol safely in regulated environments with supervision. Prohibiting this age group from drinking in bars, restaurants, and other licensed locations causes them to drink in unsupervised places such as fraternity houses or house parties where they may be more prone to binge drinking and other unsafe behavior. Strong pt.
* MLDA 21 is largely ineffective because the majority of teens continue to consume alcohol. 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. [16] In 2006, 72.2% of twelfth graders reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lives. Medium pt.
* High non-compliance with MLDA 21 promotes general disrespect and non-compliance
Pros
* The age at which one is considered a legal adult in the US is typically 18. Turning 18 entails receiving 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 - which includes risking one's life. This recognition of maturity should also encompass the right to drink; if young people are responsible enough to fight for their country or have sex, they should be responsible enough to have a drink. In any case, studies show that many underage young people have tried alcohol; it is clear that the current legal restrictions do not work. Strong pt.
* 18-20 yr. olds are drinking regardless and lowering the legal age removes the ‘forbidden fruit’ guise surrounding underage drinking * Lowering MLDA 21 to 18 would make alcohol less of a taboo for adults newly entering college and the workforce, take away the thrill that many young people get from breaking the law, and make alcohol consumption a more normalized activity done in moderation. Strong pt.
* Lowering MLDA 21 to 18 would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to drink alcohol safely in regulated environments with supervision. Prohibiting this age group from drinking in bars, restaurants, and other licensed locations causes them to drink in unsupervised places such as fraternity houses or house parties where they may be more prone to binge drinking and other unsafe behavior. Strong pt.
* MLDA 21 is largely ineffective because the majority of teens continue to consume alcohol. 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. [16] In 2006, 72.2% of twelfth graders reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lives. Medium pt.
* High non-compliance with MLDA 21 promotes general disrespect and non-compliance