Should the United States lower its drinking age from 21 to 18? |
I think this.
Because i think they need to lower if and rase the age of driving so people will grow up and not be drinking and driving and they won't kill that many people or themselves at that. i think it is crazy but this is my opinion to all of it.
Posted by: AnonymousThe US should lower the drinking age to 18
I feel that way because when we turn 18 we have the right to do things that require responsibility but we cant drink alcohol which requires responsibility. Its a hypocritical and unfair law. For example, when we turn 18 we can fight for our country, get a license, get an apartment, and get married; simultaneously we cant purchase or drink alcoholic beverages. Also, many people are around their family members who drink when they are "underage" and they will eventually get into alcohol.
Posted by: AnonymousThe age should be 18 not 21
At the age of 18, you are now able to do almost everything you want. If you so choose to you can go and give your life to protect your country, but that same country that you are protecting will put you in jail for drinking a beer and getting caught with it. I think that is not right in any way shape or form! If someone has the choice to die for the country they have the choice to drink a beer. just cause someone can drink don't mean that they are going to get wasted everyday, could just be a beer during a game or something.
Posted by: justin1108Drinking should be legal
Drinking at 18 has nothing to do with maturity. In those three years it takes for Americans to legally drink not much has changed in the individuals maturity. At 18 you want to party and at 21 your going to party as well. This doesn't even begin to bring up the fact that alcohol use at any age will not be constant. Once you have a hangover you don't want it again. Overall, this isn't a matteroof age, its about the stereotypes that exist in those age groups
Posted by: AnonymousYES
Yes the drinking age should be lowered!! I believe that if 18 year old's can join the military or smoke they are old enough to drink! If they are able to drink when they are 18 it would keep them from going out and find someone else to buy the beer and liquor. Instead they should be allowed to drink that way they don't go out and get themselves in trouble.
Posted by: AnonymousA eighteen year old is an adult
At the age of eighteen in the United States, you are treated like an adult in every way, shape and form EXCEPT being able to drink legally. Within all 50 states, 18-year-olds can apply for a credit card, legally marry without parental consent, divorce, rent, purchase, sign a binding contract, vote, serve on a jury and serve in the military. If charged with a crime, the 18-year-old is no longer tried in juvenile court; he's tried as an adult. In essence, an 18, 19 and 20-year-old can do everything a 21-year-old can do, except drink alcohol.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, the drinking age should be lowered.
In Europe the drinking age is 18 years old for most countries and it works out perfectly. Around the age of 18, you are an adult to the law so it seems a little strange that you are not allowed to drink alcohol yet at that age in the USA.
Posted by: AnonymousYes the drinking age should be lowered.
From an Australian yes it should be lowered to 18 in USA, most 18-year olds are mature and responsible. It should be lowered, as is its 18 everywhere else. I'm 18 years old tomorrow and I can finally drink it's a great feeling. What's the point for 21-years old? That's insane and it's our choice at 18 to drink lower the age to 21 let the 18 year olds have some fun!
Posted by: AnonymousIf you can vote and be an adult, you can drink.
So if you are permitted to get married at the age 18, are you saying you cannot even drink a glof champagne at your own wedding? It just doesnt make sense. An adult should be able to drink and understand the reasons and consequences of drinking with their own responsibility, not the law.
Posted by: AnonymousLowering the drinking is the new change we need; from 21 to 18.
I believe that the drink age should be lowered to 18 because people go out in the army to fight for our lives, but they can't have a drink? Makes no sense at all because they do everything else because they are 18, like voting and jury and everything. What is so wrong with just drinking at 18 if people are old enough to die in war?
Posted by: AnonymousThe legal drinking age should be lowered from 21 to 18, because 18-year olds drink anyway.
Most 18-year olds already drink. And they are either supplied by their own parents who believe that their kids can take it, or they are supplied by other older kids. The fact that they are acting illegally puts them in a vulnerable situation. One where they have to rely on other people who may take advantage of them, charge them, or blackmail them.
Posted by: NWintersIt should be lowered
I'm 45 now and have two kids in college. I raised them the European way with alcohol and they don't binge drink every other night with there friends and get into trouble. Most young people in the United States are raised without being introduced to it so once they turn 21, they start partying like crazy to make up for the three years that they couldn't, but should have been allowed to drink. It's really dangerous when this happens and several students and my kids college have died or gone to the Emergency Room due to excessive consumption.
Posted by: AnonymousDrinking age should be 18
Why shouldn't the drinking age be 18? At 18 you're and adult. You have to work, pay taxes, vote, you can buy tobacco products which is worse than drinking. How can the government say you're a legal adult but yet not give you every right that an adult should have? If a legal adult is 21 according to the drinking law shouldn't you be considered a minor till 21???
Posted by: AnonymousLowered to 18
How does it make sense that an 18 year old can be a bartender, but they are not able to drink what they are serving? There are so many things you qualify for at 18. If the government trusts you enough to vote and join the military, they should trust you to drink.
Posted by: AnonymousTo Die for your countryis ok but to have a beer its not
to go to war and die in war its okay but when those people who are 18 and in the military they can have a beer because they think they are not going to be able to handle it. Drinking age should be lowered to 18.
Posted by: AnonymousI agree with this as I was 18 when I was able to start drinking.
I believe that the age should be lowered to 18 because if our military members are old enough to go to war and put their lives on the line for this country they should be able to have a beer once in a while. We would have to teach our children to be responsible about drinking when they turn 18. I was 18 when I was able to drink and I did not drink a lot as I was taught to be responsible about it.
Posted by: 5h4rkEmarI think the US should lower the drinking age to 18
As a college student I find it embarrassing that I am 20 and I cannot buy my own booze. At 18 we are adults and it is not fair that everyone has to be punished for only a few idiots misusing the drug. I believe since 18 year olds are adults they should have more rights and it is hypocritical that we are given adult responsibilities yet we are not allowed to be adults. Europe is doing it right, I am considering leaving the country so I can drink.
Posted by: AnonymousYou should be able to drink socially at 18
If you're out with a person who is 21, and you're 18. Then they should be a ble to buy you an alcoholic drink. I do not think that the age for buying liqour should change but, if you're out with a friend or family member you should be a ble to drink socially.
Posted by: Trickynick94Underage drunk driving has increased.
I have studied this greatly and a study has shown the drunk driving rate for teens under 21 has increased 1.5% since 1984 when the law was changed. That means it has increased an insane amount. You never hear about bad teen drunk driving accidents in other countries because the U.S. is the only country you have to be 21 to drink. If you are old enough to say what happens to you, old enough to vote and old enough to go to war for your country, you should be old enough to have a drink.
Posted by: AnonymousLowering the drinking age will help to teach people responsibility from the start!
Many people are partaking in underage drinking. Having the legal age set at 21 does nothing but make them hide what they are doing. If the age was 18 these ADULT people could drink without having to hide it. This also would make them responsible for their own behavior, instead of having parents charged because their 18, 19 or 20-year-old child, who is otherwise old enough to do everything any other adult can do, decided to make an unwise decision. Will there still be binge drinking and reckless behavior? Yes! But there is no way to stop that altogether. Will there be 15 and 16-year-olds still drinking in their parents' basement? Yes! But there is no sure way to stop that completely either. What we can do is give these legal adults the right to partake in adult activities and make them be responsible for their actions. They are doing it anyway, so we may as well hold them accountable!
Posted by: AnonymousYes, we deserve that freedom.
18 year olds have the right to vote, they are considered adults so why can they not make the decision to drink. People sneak around and I feel if the age was lowered people would be less tempted to do it illegally so it should be changed for the better.
Posted by: AnonymousDrinking should be allowed for eighteen year olds.
If an eighteen year old can choose the leader of his or her country, then he or she is capable enough to put something in his or her own system. If an eighteen year old can take a bullet for his or her own country, then he or she is capable enough of drinking responsibly. And if not, then the age to vote and to enlist in the army should be raised to 21 years of age as well.
Posted by: AnonymousYes the drinking age should be lowerd because if we can fight for our freedom at 18 we should be able to have a beer at 18.
yes the drinking age should be lowered to 18, if you can go across seas and firght in a war and take someones life or you can choose the posable outcome of the country by choosing the president, or even doing jury duty you then have the controll of someones life in your hands. so basicly you can do all those things including getting married, owning guns, buying chewing tabbaco but you can buy a beer. for what reason because is prevents drinking and driving? it dont canadas dring age is 18 and the death from driving drunk is still decressing and so is ours so i think the drinking age should be changed to 18.
Posted by: AnonymousCollege is the out.
I am 20 years old and I own my own home and live alone. I have known many individuals to drink at ridiculous ages and feel that once an individual is old enough to move out they should be old enough to buy liquor or beer and consume it on their own terms. It is not to say that as soon as the law goes into effect it will look good because it is almost a grantee that kids will go out and buy as much as possible. That is to say that they no longer live at home and must abide to their parents rules. So, years ago it was 18 why not try again considering the fact that one they will find any means now, two they are in a more dangerous environment drinking now, and three they can vote and enlist already at that age.
Posted by: AnonymousIt is 18 everywhere else.
I can see no reason not to lower it. In the rest of the Western world, the drinking age is 18, and it doesn't appear to causing any problems that the US doesn't already have.
On the other hand, keeping it at 21 forces young adults to break the law, establishing a pattern of law breaking behavior that then carries on to drugs and other prohibited behavior. It causes people to hide their drinking, and even gives it an undeserved glamour.Posted by: AnonymousYes, Yes, Yes
I believe the MLDA should be lowered to 18 simply because, we get all of our rights for smoking, voting, paying taxes, and driving. So, of all these things why can we not have the drinking age 18, what is the significance of the age 21? We are legal adults at 18 so, let people decide their own choices. If somebody wants to drink at the age of 18, they should be allowed to because, it is their own decision.
Posted by: AnonymousLower it to 18
America is supposed to be the land of the free but young adults can't legally drink until 21? Out of all the countries in the world that allow drinking America has the oldest drinking age. And in no way does the age being 21 affect teenage drinking it just makes it slightly harder to get alcohol, take it from an 18 year old who got drunk last week.
Posted by: AnonymousIf you're legally allowed to own your own property you should legally be allowed to drink.
First of all, 21 is a random number for a national law. Why not have made it 20?
Second of all, at 18, your parents have the legal right to disown you and you have the right to live on your own as well as support yourself.
To be 100 percent honest, many 18 year olds are seniors in high school.. But since college students are always going to drink.. It wouldn't be unwise to change the age to 19 which most freshman would be.
Something that may or may not be a good idea.. But to consider, would be to allow 17 year colds to order an alcoholic beverages in restaurants and bars with the consent and presence of a legal guardian or parent around, but not be allowed to buy alcohol at all until they are 18 or 19. That way.. by the time they are of legal age, the excitement and desire for alcohol consumption won't be as crazy as it is now.Posted by: livdechermontYes
Countries around the world with a drinking age lower than 21 have much less dangerous teen drinking issues. 18 is the age of adulthood in the United States, and adults should be able to make their own decisions that have to do with their own life and their own body.
Posted by: AnonymousRaising the drinking age to 21 implies that people who are old enough to fight and old enough to vote are not mature enough to use alcohol.
To enter the military at an early age all you need is a parent's signature. A parent cannot sign you permission to drink. It's inconsistent to consider that we give people tools to kill other people but do not give them the same degree of respect for a simple cultural act. Prohibition does not work as it's supposed to, it's a good idea but a nightmare in practice, and this is no different.
Posted by: groovyboxThey are considered adults for everything else.
My son has had a job since he was 14 years old. He made enough to buy his own property when he reached 18. If he is old enough to buy his own property, purchase cigarettes, join the army and be tried as an adult if he commits a crime, he should be able to purchase his own alcohol. Those who are underage will always find a way to get alcohol, whether or not the government likes it.
Posted by: AnonymousDrinkin
Adults are adults, they have waited 18 long years to have their freedom. they can vote AND fight for our country, but they cant have a beer. THE USA IS A JOKE!!! Us adults are entitled to our freedom. George Bush did this to us. we've waited 18 years to be free, and we cant
-CodyPosted by: AnonymousTreat us like adults.
Well if 18 year olds are allowed to vote as legal adults, then they should be able to drink as adults. And if they are to buy booze, then they would have to go out and find jobs to pay for the alcohol. Thus the economy would have a boost in society.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, it's pointless to keep it at 21
Almost every other country in the world has a drinking age lower than the one in the U.S. Smoking isn't healthy either, but legal at the age of 18. It's ridiculous that you are allowed to kill people at war, smoke, vote and get married when you're 18, but not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages!
Posted by: AnonymousYes it should be
We are responsible people, we drive, we work, we are trusted with daily chores, but we cannot drink? Seriously? This is stupid, we should be able to drink. We should be able to take control of our own lives. We should be allowed to drink and be merry. That's all.
Posted by: AnonymousA drinking age of 21 is an infringement on the three basic rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
I am a student who has spent time in Germany, where alcohol is readily available to anybody aged 16 and older. While Germany has its share of crazy people they are very responsible about not driving drunk or becoming dangerously intoxicated. Furthermore, I believe the government is infringing upon our basic rights guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence. Research shows that alcohol in moderation is very healthy and raises life expectancy, and does not kill brain cells. It is also contrary to liberty, as at the age of 18 one is a full adult, and since he is responsible to carry all the responsibilities, he should have all the rights as well. Thirdly, limitation of alcohol is obviously an infringement on the pursuit of happiness. I shouldn't need an explanation there.
Posted by: AnonymousI believe that the drinking age should be lowered to 18. If a person is old enough to fight for their country, they should be able to drink alcoholic beverages.
The age of majority, 18, should be the age of majority for all purposes. At age 18, a person can legally enter into a contract, can legally consent to medical procedures, can fight for their country, but cannot drink alcohol in the United States. Although alcohol can be abused, we know that smoking cigarettes can cause cancer, and we allow 18 year olds to purchase cigarettes. If the age of majority is 18, that should mean that 18 year olds can drink alcoholic beverages.
Posted by: 5kyErtoI oppose the drinking age of 21 because it should not be higher than other age limits: voting, driving, soldiering, etc..
When I grew up, the legal drinking age was 18. It was line with becoming eligible to vote at 18, and, at that time, kids were being sent to Viet Nam at age 18 & 19. Many US soldiers in Iraq & Afghanistan today are probably under 21; they are trained to shoot a gun and they can take a life. But they can't drink. A 16-year is licensed to drive a car, which can become a lethal weapon if driven improperly, but is not trusted to vote until age 18 or to drink until age 21. At 18, teens can marry and become parents, but are not trusted to drink responsibly. This has never made sense to me. It seems our priorities are skewed.
Posted by: PrinzessLowered to 18
In many European countries people are allowed to drink at 18. I think it is good because most of the teenagers can understand how to control their selves, and they have responsibility in which every person has to follow them. Let's imagine! Many countries allow to sell alcohol people who is 18 years old, but only a couple countries would think that it is a bad idea. For teenagers who live in forbidden countries would be unfair that other countries allow to drink alcohol, and they would buy alcohol illegally.
Posted by: Anonymouslowering drinking age
the drinking age should be lower because at the age of 18 you can basically do anything you want. You can serve in the army force, get a job, and take on irresponsibility for themselves. If most of the states lower the age, the rest should also because that's not far to some teens and not equal as a whole of the U.S.
Posted by: AnonymousI agree that the U.S. should lower its drinking age from 21 to 18, since many countries allow drinking at early ages and have less youth drinking problems.
Lowering the drinking age in this country would be beneficial to all, since forcing the legal drinking age to be 21 has shown no substantial benefit. In fact, forbidding anyone to drink until they're 21 only increases the risk of drinking problems due to the proverbial "forbidden fruit". Perhaps if the drinking age were lowered, we would have less drunk driving and alcohol abuse, since teenagers would not feel they had to keep their drinking a secret from their parents. Thus, parents could teach their teenagers at an earlier age how to drink responsibly.
Posted by: DarneCutieDefinitely, it would solve a lot.
If an 18 year old can legally live on their own, get married, vote, gamble, and especially fight at war... they should be allowed to order a beer with their meal at the restaurant. Under age drinking is going to happen no matter what the age is. I know 8th graders who drink! If the age was lowered, there would be less sneaking around and more opportunities to drink occasionally, so 18 year olds wont feel the need to use up all the alcohol and get completely trashed.
Posted by: AnonymousThe laws for drinking in the United States should change to 18 because,
When you turn 18 you’re legally an adult, which means you are able to make your own decisions. For example; when you turn 18 you’re legally allowed to buy and use tobacco products. They aren’t good for either and can cause many problems later in life. So how come 18 year olds can’t legally buy or consume alcohol? In my opinion 21 just seems like a random number that someone decided to pick. Being 18 or 21, either way you’re still an adult. What’s the difference in an 18 year old or a 21 year old going out for a few drinks? Yes most 21 year olds may be more mature but when under the influence people are all the same in the sense of not being in your right state of mind. There are 21 year olds that get into accidents due to drinking as well as older people. I don’t think that being 18 to drink legally is going to make that argument any different
Posted by: AnonymousYou can vote, marry, and die for your country, but it's illegal to have a beer?
The age for drinking should certainly be lowered to 18 years old instead of 21. What magical even is going to happen to make a person even more responsible? How does it make sense that an 18 year old is free to live on their own, buy a gun, get married, vote for those who will govern over our country, and fight for your freedom - and sometimes even give the ultimate sacrifice during a deployment. They can become a veteran and be respected by everyone around them, but they can't legally have a beer or golf wine with dinner, or have a couple drinks with friends? Why put the stereotype of "immature teenager?" Who are only going to party with their friends and drive drunk, when in fact the majority of all drinking incidents are of adults aged 30-40 years old? An 18 year old is considered an adult in almost every way according to the law, except with alcohol. Why is that one thing singled out? Instead of filling their heads with the thought that they're irresponsible children who are only going to make mistakes, become alcoholics, and harm others with alcohol is only going to make the situation worse and cause even more issues. The drinking age needs to be lowered to 18, and if responsible drinking is promoted and if 18-20 year olds are trusted with this responsibility, then it will have positive outcomes, guaranteed. In European countries, there are 14-15 year olds having wine with their spaghetti. Do you see them overdoing it and getting drunk? No, because they had a responsible approach to it at a younger age, so they don't feel a need to overdo it and become alcoholics. Countries who introduce alcohol at a younger age have a substantially lower amount of alcohol related incidents. Before making assumptions that every teenager is irresponsible, take the time to actually pay attention to those younger people. There are a lot more responsible mature adults out there than you think.
Posted by: AnonymousAn eighteen year old is an adult
Eighteen is the age where a person legally becomes responsible for themselves. It doesnt matter if their "body isnt ready for it" because they are going to do it anyway. The main reason young adults drunk drive is because it is illegal for them to drink so they don't want to call for a ride in fear of getting in trouble.
Posted by: AnonymousIf you can fight and die for your country at 18, you should be able to have a drink.
I'm a British 18 year old. Back in my country you can buy drink, smoke and drive a car legally at the age 18. Over here in the US, where I'm staying for 5 weeks you need to be 21? Even though some soldiers sent to fight and die for their country are 18! This is ridiculous, the government needs to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, the drinking age should be lowered to 18 years old.
I think that if they can send 18 year old kids to the army and fight for their life, then they should be able to have a beer if they want one. I think if it is lowered, the under age drinking rate would go down as young adults wouldn't have to hide it from other adults.
Posted by: AnonymousI think that the drinking age should be 18!
I think that the drinking age should be 18 because as soon as you turn 18 your parents look at you and everyone else in the world looks at you as an adult so therefore if your making every other decision like an adult then you should be able to make the decision to drink or not.
Posted by: AnonymousLearn to control it better
We are legally an adult at 18. Most of set off to college at 18 and lets be straight, most of those college kids attend parties and drink. Making it legal for us early can spare us legal consequences for one, and while allowed to drink out in public places, we will have to keep in mind that our limits should be kept in mind. It creates more of a responsibility than harm. But everything also has a con to a pro.
Posted by: AnonymousIt should be 18.
The Government should lower the drinking age to 18 because a lot of people who are underage already drink. If it were to be 18 it would teach younger people how to drink responsibly and more controlled. The drinking age being 21 causes more and more kids to drink in unsupervised areas, which could result in too much drinking for one person. Lowering the drinking age will allow us to be able to drink at bars and public places, therefore giving us supervision and in some cases limits, because you are only allowed to serve a certain amount of alcohol to one person.
Posted by: AnonymousYES! Our government and economy need it.
It is a waste of police resources to have to monitor this behavior. I go to UCSB. We have 50 cops for one square mile! For this exact reason. Also, it restricts the economy more since teens have become a large percentage of consumers! This happened in the 1920s. It's a different century. Pretty soon pot will be legalized recreationally for those 18 and over. I cannot comprehend how it is legal in some states to smoke pot but not to drink at age 18.
Posted by: AnonymousLower it, but only for beer and wine.
At age 18, American citizens are able to vote, die for their country, buy cigarettes... Pretty much, they're able to exercise their entire adult rights EXCEPT to drink legally. If you're worried about the fact that college students may overdo it, that won't be the case. A reason why it didn't work last time was because it was during the age of the hippies, who overdid it on EVERYTHING. Nowadays, there isn't as much of a problem with drugs and alcohol, so the age should be lowered.
Posted by: Anonymous18 is the age of adulthood in the US.
Adults should have the right to make their own decisions about alcohol consumption and other things. A citizen of the US turning 18 receives the rights and responsibilities of adulthood to vote, smoke cigarettes, get married, sign contracts, etc. So why wouldn't the Government allow the adult to drink alcohol?
Posted by: AnonymousI believe the U.S. should lower the drinking age to 18 because if you can serve and die for our country than you are old enough to drink legally.
I believe that the United States should lower the drinking age to 18 because at that age you can join the military and possibly die for your country. If you are old enough to do that, you should be old enough to drink legally. Also, most people at that age are drinking anyway, and if they are out of high school and off to college or working, they should be able to drink legally.
Posted by: MycCra2iiIf You Can Be Criminally Held Responsible For Your Actions at 18, Why Can't You Drink?
Even though you don't have enough judgment to operate a vehicle or other types of machinery when drunk, alcohol doesn't impair your moral judgment. A person who is drunk still knows the difference between right and wrong. An 18 year old knows it is wrong to drive under the influence. Targeting young adults for simply drinking alcohol will not solve anything.
Posted by: AnonymousThey should be in the military first
Members of the military should be able to drink if they are 18 and are in the military because they may die in the the line of duty and they would never know what it is like to have a beer in there life
Posted by: AnonymousLower it.
If a teen lives in a border city, what stops them from going across the border to go drink? I would rather them do is safely here in the U.S. than to go bar hopping in a foreign country. Say they did lower the drinking age to 18, what the government could do is give 18-20 year olds drinking cards. Basically an I.D. that you would need in order to purchase and consume alcohol legally. If that person were to get arrested for a alcohol related incident, they could get their drinking cards revoked, in that case they would have to wait until they were 21, to legally purchase and consume alcohol. Yes of course they could still get some from friends, but dont they do that same thing now? Teens are going to drink whether it's legal or not, so why make a law against it?
Posted by: AnonymousI think we should change the laws because,
If we are able to get thrown in jail because of it when we turn 18, and be able to serve our country we should be able to drink when we turn 18. To not legalize it at a 18 would almost be hypocritical of the government. Saying we can put ourselves on the battle field risking out lives, and giving us the responsibility to vote for our nations leader we should be able to do as we please. And not get thrown in the slammer or get tickets shoved down our throats for something as dumb as this.
Posted by: makydi17It Should Be Lowered
Ok first off all there is no proof of alchohol harming your brain when you are an eighteen year old who drinks moderately, second of all Have you ever wondered what the Minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) should be set to? "It's time to rethink the drinking age... Twenty-one is not working.”www.Amethystinitiative.Org
The MLDA should be lowered because it would create more respect for the law, it would be good for the economy, and create safer conditions for drinking.
Many people think the MLDA should be brought up from 21 because they believe people that people who are 21 are still to immature to drink. It would be good for the economy if the MLDA was lowered to 18. It would be great because alcohol/wine/beer is taxed, over 70% of the American population today has had at least one drink, think about if we lowered the MLDA; it would add more to that percent and the government would be making a direct financial benefit from lowering the MLDA from taxes on beer. It would be extravagant if we didn’t lower the MLDA.
More people would drink in unsafe environments like nightclubs and bars, and this may be true; but is it better than drinking in unsupervised and potentially dangerous places? Lowering the MLDA would create safer drinking activity. More people instead of drinking in dangerous unsupervised areas illegally would instead be drinking in safer supervised areas. This is why it would be safer to lower the MLDA.
MLDA21 reduces the number of underage drinkers. Lowering the MLDA would create more respect for the law. If the MLDA was lowered less people would be inclined to break the law to get a drink, more than 25% of teens only drink because of the thrill of breaking the law, (which will diminish the thrill of breaking the law if the MLDA was lowered). This is a way to get teenagers to respect the law more.
This is why the MLDA should be lowered. If we lowered the MLDA it would create safer drinking environments, more respect for the law, and it would generate cash flow to use to build new roads, fix potholes, fund schools, and many more national problems. In conclusion, The MLDA has many reasons to be lowered.Posted by: AnonymousI do not think the government should impose a minimum drinking age on its citizens at all.
In the United States it is possible to be drafted to go to war against your will or to vote for elected officials at age 18. It is also at that age that a citizen gains the right to purchase and consume tobacco and legally access material such as pornography or extremely violent media. I can see no reason why alcohol should not be included in this group of rights that one obtains at age 18.
Posted by: Wynn354The drinking age is a double standard
So you are too young to drink when you are 18-20, but you are NOT too young to deal with all the legal implications of going to jail and then having a permanent criminal record? I think if the drinking age is going to stay 21, the legal age of adulthood should be raised to 21 as well!
Posted by: AnonymousThe government should lower the drinking age because 18 year olds are adults.
I believe that it's hypocritical that 18 year-old are able to serve in the armed forces, but are unable to drink alcoholic beverages. Many 18-year-olds don't care about the legal age and drink regardless. The age should be lowered in order to quell teenage obsession over drinking alcohol. A legal adult should be able to decide whether to drink alcohol or not.
Posted by: R4yCherYes, because you're a legal adult.
You should be able to handle and buy alcohol if you are 18, because if you can go into a branch of the military, and you can vote for who our next president is, you should be able to drink when you are 18. That is why the drinking age should be 18.
Posted by: AnonymousYES-lower the age! especially for active and past military members!
I was reading some of the comments that others had on the "no" side and i must say, many of them are quite ignorant. you say that 18-year-olds are not "mature" or "responsible enough" to drink, even that they don't know what their doing. but yet that same 18-year-old can go to war, kill people, watch his battle buddies get blown up and die around him? NO! your asinine! half of the citizens in this country do not realize what our military goes through. If they are "mature" and "responsible enough" and "know what they're doing," they can certainly go out with their friends and get a few drinks!
Posted by: MilitaryBrat1992Leave the USA and then speak.
As a 19 year old who has been around Europe I've seen fewer drunks than I have in the USA. However, across Europe the drinking age is lower. The rebel attitude associated with breaking the law is the only reason the drinking culture is out of hand in the states. We make people think that alcohol is a means to party. Instead we should bring alcohol to our children at younger ages and let them understand and respect alcohol. American brains can't deal with alcohol under 21 not because they aren't developed but because of the taboo behind it. Remove the taboo and in a generation there will be less of a disgusting drinking culture.
Posted by: AnonymousDoes it make sense that an 18 year old can go to war but can't drink legally?
I think that 18 year olds should be able to drink because they are young adults. They know to be responsible for their actions. Some 18 year olds actually go into the military at their young age, but they aren't allowed to drink in a bar simply because they aren't 21.
Posted by: AnonymousAnother example of America being behind most other Western Democracies
Look at Europe. Look at Canada. Australia. Japan. The list goes on. Those nations all have drinking ages considerably lower than 21, and nowhere do you see rampant alcoholism and crime. The best way to deter drinking and driving is to punish it more harshly (make it a mandatory jail sentence rather than the cash cow for governments it is today). Just another example of the United States being archaic in its ways. The rest of the world literally laughs at us.
Posted by: AnonymousYes
At 18 years old, there are American citizens overseas old enough to die for their country. At 18 years old, Americans are considered legal adults who can buy pornography and act in pornography. At 18 years old, Americans have the power to vote for a presidential candidate that can alter the course of history. At 18 years old, Americans can serve on juries where they hold the power of life or death in their hands.
One thing American citizens cannot do when they're 18 years old, however, is drink legally.Posted by: Anonymous18 is better.
It would be more reasonable to lower the drinking age to 18 because at 21 you're socially considered an adult, and when you're out in the clubs and you see the 21 year-old "adults" acting like kids, it's ridiculous. At least at 18 you could get some experience with alcohol and maybe by 21 act less foolish, or be able to "hack" the alcohol better.
Posted by: AnonymousDevelopement of the mind, is the only straw they have to clutch.
Every one aginst lowering the drinking age keeps bringing up the mind isn't develpoed enough. Yet Thats all they have, the mind is still developing at the age of 80. They just use that as a facade, to justify there view point. even if your 18 people still find ways to derink. it's just ilegal. it's true that alcohol is addictive but so is video games. a developing mind is false. One could be givin a drinking license of some kind to control or ration how much they drink per day, per week, or even month or year.
Posted by: Anonymousi am an 18 year old student.
as a person that has experienced underaged students drinking i know the risk, and consiquences of those who do so. i also know how much of an effect being introduced to alcohol early can take away some of the drive to go out and drink in excess, and for the most part, those drinking underaged nare less likely to call for a ride home becuase of the risk of getteing cought.... there is alot more then just this but i dont want to rambel.
Posted by: AnonymousI think this.
Because I think they need to lower it and raise the age of driving so people will grow up and not be drinking and driving and they won't kill that many people or themselves at that. I think it is crazy, but this is my opinion to all of it.
Posted by: Anonymousevery one else around the world has.
In most countries around the world the drinking age limit is 18 and less strict about alcohol. Here the kids binge drink and go out and drink heavily every weekend and its a problem. The faster we teach them any responsibility with alcohol the better. It will help with not only that but could help teach them responsibility with other things.
Posted by: AnonymousThe US needs to lower the drinking age to 18
I think that it should be legal to drink because we are adults and pretty mature at this age and if we are allowed to vote and serve the military and die for our country at this age we should have the right to drink alcohol at this age of 18.
Posted by: Anonymousthe drinking age should be 18
I know many classmates of mine in high school who get flat out HAMMERED on the weekends, which is more dangerous because it is "illegal" they seem to feel cooler by getting drunk and bragging about it, which is also more dangerous because if they get caught by the police they will pay time in jail for drinking when many of them are enlisted in the Air Force and are 18 years old. Another contradicting factor is that most of the time people in the South grow up their parents introduce them to alcohol around 14-16.
Posted by: AnonymousLet us drink
We are legal and free, government should not regulate everything. At 18 you can do just about everything but to drink and that makes absolutely no sense. I like the idea of drinking cards. Similar to getting a permit before your drivers licenses. At 18 you are considered an adult but drinking, so technically you are still a minor until 21.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, because at age 18 I was drinking more heavily just because I could not attain alcohol as easily.
I drank whatever I could regardless of whether it was 40 proof or 80 proof alcohol, or nasty beer Now being 21, when going out I know that I can not act out of line because there are police at every bar watching and waiting to see you get in the car intoxicated.
Posted by: AnonymousThe drinking age should be lowered from 21 to 18 because age limits don't do anything to stop the purchase of alcohol by minors.
The drinking age should totally be lowered to 18. Minors who want to drink will find a way to get alcohol regardless of their age or the law. I also think it's a bit insane to say you can fight for your country and die in a war at the age of 18 but you can't have a cold beer at a football game (or wherever). People who are 18 have to deal with huge "adult" issues at an early age and I think they should be allowed to drink.
Posted by: SilentIgnacio18 year olds can and are mature
Maturity does not depend on age, but rather, on the person. There are a lot of people over the age of 21 who drink like crazy, and have a drinking problem. There are 18 year olds who know how to take care of themselves, and have the responsibility to do a lot of things. If one were to sit down and talk with their children about drinking, drugs, sex, etc., they would not go out into the streets and try the forbidden fruit because "it's cool to break the law." If an 18 is well educated and responsible, why not give them a chance?
Posted by: AnonymousYes, respectable college student.
The age of 18 is adulthood, period. You should be able to start making grown up decisions on your own by this age and this includes having the responsibility and maturity of handling alcohol. Also, college kids wouldn't be confined in less supervised environments like dorms and frat/sorority houses. If you can fight for your country and vote for our nation's leader, you should be able to enjoy a beer or two with your friends and family.
Posted by: AnonymousIf one can enlist in the military, vote, be tried as an adult and get married, then why can they not drink at age 18?
I just don't understand why alcohol laws set the legal age at 21 when almost every other law sets it at 18. What's the huge difference? Most kids already start drinking well before the legal age, and those who don't probably won't start just because they've hit the 21 mark. I mean, seriously. And when they get in college that causes all sorts of problems for people who are underage and want to go to a party. I think 18 should be the new legal age for drinking, as that is the age which children are finally recognized as adults in this society. If you treat them as adults, they are less likely to abuse that responsibility. Honestly, the thrill of drinking ends once you've reached the "legal" age anyway, since you're no longer sneaking around and whatnot. It just makes a whole lot of sense to lower the drinking age and I'm sure many people feel this way, they just have no way of voicing their opinions in government affairs.
Posted by: AnonymousA lot of teenagers are dying and getting injured.
I mean why not? A lot of teenagers are dying and getting injured because of drinking and partying all the time. And what do they do when they go to a homecoming party? They drink and they're having unprotected sex. What do they do when it's time to leave? Drunk driving and maybe an accident has occurs, but why is that, because of their young teen DRINKING!
Posted by: AnonymousRemember when it was the age for voting?
If we say a person who is 18 is smart enough to vote and can go to war... then why not drink? It's a fact the the human being seeks to do things that they are not allowed to do. Tell a child they are not allowed to eat a cookie because its bad for them and their not old enough, then leave the room eating a one. You'll see that they try to eat one anyways. And when you ask them why they did it. They'll say well you ate one, it cant be that bad. In mexico the legal drinking age is 18, and I haven't seen all that many 18 year olds getting into as much trouble as they do here in the United States. And for those who are say that it should be 21 or even 22, do you even drink? Do you remember what it was like to be 18 and how things that were forbiden atracted you the most?
Posted by: AnonymousYes, it should.
I think if you can go to war, be on jury, get married, and be a legal adult and go to jail, I believe if you're 18 you should be responsible enough to drink and go to bars instead of having to go to parties and hiding it and then getting in trouble.
Posted by: AnonymousThe United States should lower its drinking age to 18.
It has been quite a long time since I have been 18 but there is one thing I am certain of. If you are old enough to fight for your country at 18 then you are old enough to have a drink. If you are old enough to vote for the leaders of our nation then you are old enough to have a drink. If a person is considered an adult in all other aspects at 18 then they should be considered and adult in their choice to drink or not. Granted, there are many 18 year old people that are to immature to handle the affects of alcohol, but there are many 40 year old people who are also.
Posted by: w00tboycomicLower it.
If a teen lives in a border city, what stops them from going across the border to go drink? I would rather them do is safely here in the U.S. than to go bar hopping in a foreign country. Say they did lower the drinking age to 18, what the government could do is give 18-20 year olds drinking cards. Basically an I.D. that you would need in order to purchase and consume alcohol legally. If that person were to get arrested for a alcohol related incident, they could get their drinking cards revoked, in that case they would have to wait until they were 21, to legally purchase and consume alcohol. Yes of course they could still get some from friends, but dont they do that same thing now? Teens are going to drink whether it's legal or not, so why make a law against it?
Posted by: AnonymousAlcoholism rates in other countries ARE lower.
The US is one of the only countries that has a legal drinking age of 21. We also have higher Alcohol Addiction rates and higher amount of people illegally drinking. I know that in the European countries that you are pretty much expected to have a glass of wine when you sit down for dinner. No, this is not drinking heavily but it still allows people under 18 to know what the little alcohol will do. They know what it tastes like. If the drinking age was lowered maybe not to 18, but 19 I think we would see a significant decrease in alcohol addiction.
But this is my opinion and if you don't agree that's ok. We all have a right to think what we want to think.Posted by: Anonymousmost under age people drink
Although the legal age is 21 years of age, a majority of college students under this age drink alcohol but in an irresponsible manner. This is because drinking by these youth is seen as an early age of adulthood. Eighteen is the age of adulthood in the United States, and adults should have the right to make their own decisions about alcohol drinking. Turning 18 and receiving the rights and responsibilities of adulthood to vote, smoke cigarettes and other tobacco products, serve on juries, get married, sign contracts, be prosecuted as adults, and join the military - which includes risking one's life. Then why can’t the legal age of drinking be 18.
Parents are one of the things the thing young adults look up too. If the parents drink and let their kids see them drink what do you think the kids are going to do when they grow up.Posted by: AnonymousI think we should.
You think just because it's illegal doesn't mean we're not drinking? Wake up, please. There's 11 year olds in my hillbilly town drinking, they make just as jacked up decisions as the 21 year olds sadly. Hoorah for my wasted generation. But come on though, I drink and I'm 16.
Posted by: AnonymousOther Countries have it why can't we?
The reason why people are so against it is because everyone is irresponsible, but we are not too irresponsible to join the war, get married, or adopt a baby? The government is being unfair and should look at it from all points of view not just the people against it. They should teach the kids what to do and not just hand them bottles and see when they will stop drinking.
Posted by: AnonymousTHE DRINKING AGE SHOULD BE DROPPED
The drinking age should be lowered because if you can go off to war at 18 and risk your life for your country your country can at least pay you back with a drink. The way our government looks at this is totally unfair and unreasonable as well. People who are against it just want to be safe but people always make dumb decisions wether on drugs, or under the influence. People are irresponsible either way. If the age wont get dropped to 18 it should at least be 19 but 21 is overrated by a lot.
Posted by: AnonymousAge doesn't matter.
21 year olds are irresponsible just as a 18 year old is. Besides most drunk accidents involve people between the ages of 24-45. Plus if 18-20 year olds could contribute to United States with taxes with the excessive amounts of alcohol purchased and it would boost the economy from boosting business of liquor stores.
Posted by: AnonymousThe drinking age should be lowered to 18
Countries around the world with a drinking age lower than 21 have much less dangerous teen drinking issues. 18 is the age of adulthood in the United States, and adults should be able to make their own decisions that have to do with their own life and their own body.
Posted by: AnonymousIt should be lowered to 16
I was 15 when i started. now im 16. the law means nothing to most anyways..
Posted by: Anonymous
At 18, you are just barely an adult.
I am turning 18 and I know that I am not ready to be legally allowed to drink. My brain is still developing and with everything else that changes at 18, drinking would just get in the way of kids making the right choices. Waiting an extra three years is not that long. It gives us time to mature as adults and make the right decisions.
Posted by: AnonymousDecreasing the age limit will spoil the coming generation.
Children at the age of 18 are not very mature. They may get into wrong issues.
Posted by: FaeIPh0bicno
Eighteen year olds can’t handle alcohol, because they make to many mistakes. If you start to drink at eighteen or twenty one your tolerance is still going to be the same. Meaning, that no matter what age you start to drink you don’t know how much you can handle until you start drinking.
Posted by: AnonymousNo, eighteen year olds are not responsible enough, it's too young to start.
It would be a big mistake to lower the drinking age. An eighteen year old may think they are mature enough to handle beer and liquor but the truth is, they aren't. And if young people can legally drink at that age, they might start drinking illegally even earlier. A lot of ugly, lifelong problems can arise once someone starts drinking, so I think the later in life they start the better.
Posted by: PinkMychAt 18 you're barely an adult.
Why would you want to get drunk when you're 18? You can wait an extra three years so that your brain can maintain a good environment. I don't think that the drinking age should be lowered to the age of 18. What if you're drunk and you're driving out with your friends? You don't want to get them killed, so that's a NO.
Posted by: AnonymousNo
People lose their morals and don't know what they're doing. If you're eighteen and you are really drunk, you can go home late and beat your parents up because they were yelling at you and you wouldn't even know because you were too drunk. Also you can get arrested. Do you want to spend time in jail?
Posted by: AnonymousWhy would we damage brains which are not even fully developed?
Many people know that alcohol is a very harmful and addictive drug. A human's brain is not fully developed until age 25. Why would we want to hurt our bodies or our children's bodies and brains? Using the argument "If we can go to war at 18 we should have a drink at 18" is not a mature enough statement. This generation is not mature enough to handle such responsibility. I am only 17 years of age and even I believe that this would be a stupid idea.
Posted by: AnonymousThe United states should not lower its drinking age to 18.
There was a reason many years ago that the age limit was changed to 21. At 18 the person is just not mature enough and responsible enough to go out and drink. There are way too many drunk drivers out there already and having millions of 18 year olds out there will just make the problem even worse and will result in an increase in DWI deaths. That would be a terrible thing. I think 22 should be the age.
Posted by: dadude913I believe that the drinking age being 21 is appropriate because of the harmful effects on brain development that drinking can cause in undeveloped brains.
Because the human brain does not completely finish growing until around age 25, I feel the later a person is required by law to wait until drinking is very important. Alcohol has been proved many times to have harmful effects on an individuals brain. Undeveloped brains are very susceptible to this kind of damage, and by waiting to drink until a more mature age; this is avoided to some degree.
Posted by: R4ddyI0rdDrinking is one of the most serious problems with teenagers.
Teenagers are not mature enough to handle alcohol. In fact some adults are not mature enough to handle alcohol. One of the leading causes of death among teenagers is drunk driving. Couple that with the peer pressure to drink to be cool, I believe its better to have the drinking age remain at 21.
Posted by: ThebestKendNo the drinking age should be 21, that is a responsible age.
I believe 21 should be the legal age for drinking. There is one caveat however. If you are serving in the military you should be able to purchase alcohol at 18. if you are old enough to serve, you should be old enough to drink. If you are not serving in the military, the drinking age should remain at 21. I feel that most 18 year olds may not have the reasoning skills to handle alcohol in a responsible manner.
Posted by: BriaBlackenIt should not
Drinking age should not be lowered because your brain is not fully developed and so many young people drink today and start addictions. It can also lead to binge drinking which can kill brain cells and can cause car crashes and so much more! This is why I think the age shouldn't be lowered.
Posted by: AnonymousNo
No because as a teenager who is almost 18, I believe it will be bad for not only the bodies development but the mind.Our brains aren't fully developed and drinking alcohol sooner is just going to slow down the process. Also the car accident rate will go up because of larger amount of teens driving while drunk. It will not be safe for anyone.
Posted by: AnonymousNo that would be terrible
If the US lowered its drinking age to 18, there would be a greater number of car accidents from drunk driving. A kid doesn't have a fully developed brain until the age of 21 so they will more than likely get killed even sooner if they start drinking when they are too immature. Waiting would be more beneficial. If the US were to limit its drinking age to 18, there would be drinking in schools which wouldn't be good either.
Posted by: iholland9518 years old is too young.
18 year old's are immature and don't know how to act. Their brain isn't fully developed and they won't be able to handle it. Adults 21 and up can't handle their alcohol and make poor decisions, so just imagine how it will be if teens drink. Teen drivers have more accidents than adults now, so what do you think will happen if teens drink and drive. There will be more deaths and teens in jail.
Posted by: AnonymousWe should drink when we are 18.
We should drink when we are 18, because it is people's choice if they want to drink or not it's not the president's choice. I say this is not fair other countries have a specific age like 20 or 29 but we of all people always disagree on it because it's our choice, it's not the president's choice its not fair.
Posted by: AnonymousI do not think that the drinking age should be lowered from 21 to 18. I think the age for both tobacco products and alcohol should be 21.
I think that the age to both purchase and consume alcohol should be 21 in all of the states. Whether it is in grocery stores or bar rooms, the age should be 21. I do not follow the same mindset as people who believe that any person able to serve in the military should be able to purchase alcohol. Alcohol and tobacco products are addictive, the military is not. At 21 the mind is much more developed than at 18. Even at 21 it is sometimes still not developed enough to make rational decisions while on alcohol.
Posted by: UnsuitableRigoberto99Why lower it to 18 and why keep it at 21?
They way I see I it, is that it should be lower to 19 or 20, mostly at 20. Why? Because if the legal age to drink was 20 than a person would have had two years of adulthood. They would understand how adulthood works, they'll be mature and have experience. now the reason why I disagree with lowering it to 18 is because it doesn't mean a person is ready to be an adult. I know plenty who were 18 but still childish and made mistakes that an "adult?" Wouldn't have. 18 means going to college and still getting an education or working at a food-fast place. You're still in the progress of learning what being an adult life is like and so on.
Posted by: AnonymousDon't lower it to 18.
At 18, the brain hasn't fully developed, and the introduction of alcohol can stunt brain growth and cause lasting physical effects. A person who is introduced to alcohol is also more likely to start using other drugs. Drinkers who start at a young age are more likely to become binge drinkers. Binge drinkers are more likely to die from alcohol-related sickness and diseases.
Posted by: AnonymousNope.
I say no because yes technically you are a young adult but, why would you want to ruin your body. An 18 year doesn't have a fully developed brain and again why would you want to ruin that? 18 year olds aren't responsible enough. What about drunk driving? Think about that.
Posted by: AnonymousThe drinking age is 21 for a good reason: people's brains are still developing at 18.
I don't believe that our government has the legal drinking age set to 21 just to be mean or annoying. The brain, especially the frontal lobe, which involves decision-making and long-term planning, is still developing at the ages of 18, 19 and 20, and even into the mid-twenties. Around the age 21 is when most of the changes are finished taking place. Before this age, the brain is still changing, and alcohol can have a greater effect on brain structures when it's still forming, than it can after the structure has finished growing.
Posted by: 54ndDavi