Drinking Age

A detailed Summary of Drinking Age

In the year 2002, drinking has come to be a nation wide problem. Within the last few decades, all the states have changed the legal drinking age from 18 to 21. However, this prohibition of alcohol until the age of 21 has not been all that effective. From surveys it is easy to see that a dramatic percent of 18 year olds drink regularly even though they are not of legal age. In fact, underage drinking has never seemed to be as much of a problem as it is today. To many teens, the idea of alcohol being a "forbidden fruit" makes it all the more tempting to consume. Also, it is unfair to put adult responsibilities on 18 year olds, yet not allow them the responsibility to drink. Therefore, the drinking age should be lowered from 21 to 18 in the U.S.

First, one of the main reasons that underage drinking takes place deals with the fact that alcohol is viewed by teens as a "forbidden fruit." It is human nature to rebel against society. For example, when I was young, my parents used to always tell me not to play in the street.

In addition, if the drinking age were lowered, 18 year olds could learn to drink responsibly. Drinking in controlled environments will reduce binge drinking. For example, in many foreign countries, children are allowed to legally drink alcohol. By drinking regularly at meals and with parents around, they learn to drink responsibly, and not for the purpose of getting drunk. In fact, many Europeans look down upon Americans who get very drunk and obnoxious on vacations there. This shows that responsible drinking can easily be taught over time. Drinking in pubs, restaurants, and other monitored places would teach mature drinking through role modeling.

It has become apparent that underage drinking is a big problem. But trying to enforce a law that keeps the legal drinking age at 21 is not the answer. This tactic has failed terribly, just like all prohibition acts have in the past. Giving 18 year olds their "forbidden fruit" would most likely eliminate drinking for the sole purpose of rebelling against authority. Also,

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Approximate Word count = 695
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Politics

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Drinking Age

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