Essay about Keeping the Drinking Age at 21 - 1662 Words

When it comes to the subject of drinking and teenagers, what is the first thing that comes to mind? To me its the legal age limit of when teens should be able to drink. Having it lowered is controversial because according to prior experiences, data shows that younger age drinking is well known for its fatalities. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), on one of the most popular prom nights in 1999, as many as 62 percent of the traffic deaths were alcohol-related (). The most important question is whether or not the drinking age anywhere in the United States should be lowered, raised or if it should stay the same. Statistics prove that the legal drinking age should remain at the age of twenty-one in the United States.†¦show more content†¦The number killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes decreased 71% from the record high of 5,215 in 1982 to a record low 1,510 in 2008 (Drunk Driving Research) [(teenagers and alcohol)]. The drinking age is kind of an experiment around the world. In many places around Europe, people who are below the age of twenty-one are allowed to drink by law. Many teenagers around the US find this law biased, because teens arent given enough credit for how responsible they can be. In Northern Europe, people see alcohol as a culture issue. In many countries it is traditional to have a glass of wine or two during each meal. The drinking age in other countries vary but the normal legal age is between 16-18 years of age. A recent study that compared DUI laws in the United States to those in comparable nations, such as the European Union States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Brazil, found that the United States had the highest proportion of traffic fatalities that were alcohol-related among the 12 countries reporting data. It was reported that the Unit ed States had relatively lax enforcement in comparison to other countries (National Minimum Drinking Age-Choose Responsibility). The majority of teenagers in America think that drinking is not worth the consequences it causes. Girls are much moreShow MoreRelatedThe National Drinking Age Act926 Words   |  4 PagesAt the age of 18, every individual who is a legal citizen of the United States of America has the option to vote, marry the love of their life, enter law abiding contracts with banks, watch R rated movies without the presence of an adult, serve in every branch of the military, and buy tobacco products. These remain key choices given to those entering adulthood, but one choice not given to those who are legally considered adults is drinking. 30 years ago this July, the National Drinking Age Act passedRead MoreThe National Drinking Age Act933 Words   |  4 PagesAt the age of 18, any individual who is a legal citizen of the United States of America has the option to vo te, marry the love of their life, enter law abiding contracts with banks, see R rated movies without the presence of an adult, serve in any branch of the military, and buy tobacco products. These are important choices given to those entering adulthood, but one choice not given to those who are legally considered adults is drinking. 30 years ago this July, the National Drinking Age Act was passedRead MoreMinimum Legal Drinking Agre1173 Words   |  5 PagesThe legal age of adulthood in the United States for most purposes is 18. At the age of 18, a person enters the realm of adulthood and is assigned the rights and responsibilities associated with this legal status. For example, an 18 year old can legally sign a contract and is bound by the terms and conditions of the contract. An 18 year old can marry without parental consent, serve on a jury, and vote in state and federal elections. An 18 year old who is charged with a crime is not tried in theRead MoreIntroduction. Alcohol The Debate Of The Ages, Between The1730 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Alcohol the debate of the ages, between the young and the old, researchers, people, alcohol companies, and parents. Within this topic, always comes the concern of when is it appropriate for people to legally drink alcohol. Currently, in the United States the minimum legal drinking age (MDLA) is the age 21. There are many reasons and sciences behind why the U.S. choose the age of 21. On July 17, 1984 the president signed an act called National Minimum Drinking Age Act (NMDAA). This mandated allRead MoreEssay about Drinking Age Controversy1076 Words   |  5 PagesDrinking Age Controversy In the United States, a citizen is considered an â€Å"adult† at the age of 18, and with that new title comes many responsibilities, such as the right to vote and to join the army. However, the legal drinking age in America is twenty-one. This issue has been a major controversy for some time now that faces both national and state governments. Should the drinking age be lowered to the age when legally a person becomes an adult and assumes all other adult responsibilities,Read MoreLower the Drinking Age Essay examples1430 Words   |  6 PagesLowering the drinking age to 18 would help prevent the crime and personal injuries that are caused by alcohol abuse. Although many states are trying to get the drinking age lowered, there are many groups and national statistics that are keeping the drinking set at 21. For example, â€Å"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says laws setting the drinking age at 21 have cut traffic fatalities involving drivers by 13 percent† (Keen). They are hoping that by keeping the age set at 21, people areRead MoreThe Drinking Age Of The United States Should Be Lowered929 Words   |  4 PagesAn argument that many tend to dispute today, whether the drinking age of the United States should be lowered from 21 to 18. The drinking age for people to drink alcoholic beverages was made into law by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act. This ant enforced all states to raise their legal drinking age to 21. To get this law pass, the congress tried to strongarm the states, if the states did not comply, the government would take away their highway funds. Both arguments for it to be lowered and toRead M oreEssay about Debate Over the Legal Drinking Age1735 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Legal Drinking Age College life is filled with changes. It is filled with many new experiences. As college students, we are on our own, adults. As adults we are responsible for keeping up to date on information that affects us. One issue that affects college students nation wide is drinking. The current legal drinking age in the United States is twenty-one years of age. The Federal government raised the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 in 1984. Even with the current drinking age at twenty-oneRead MoreKeeping the Minimum Legal Drinking Age1283 Words   |  6 Pageslegal drinking age in the United States or not. Many Americans forbid the idea of legalizing the drinking age so that it would be profitable to the businesses. Likewise, there have been many advantages and disadvantages of why should the government allow young adults drink under the age of 21. To prevent this issue, many Americans have provided reasoning that will support the idea of keeping the minimum legal drinking age where it is now. The government should maintain the minimum legal drinking ageRead MoreThe Effects Of Lowering The Drinking Age1426 Words   |  6 Pages underage drinking is perhaps one of the most controversial topics of our generation. Why do our young people disobey this law? Are they lost? Who will answer the call of the lost? Having the age to drink legally at the age of 21 may seem like it would never be disobeyed; however, over time, underage drinking has become more and more prevalent. In today’s society, a few choice young people have grown to control the desire to break the law to consume alcohol while at the appropriate age. However,