Lowering the Drinking Age to 18: Why I Think It's Time

There was a time in the United States when drinking alcohol was illegal. The question is, "Why did people still drink and import alcohol to the country if it was outlawed?" The truth is that people are going to get what they want despite the consequences. Today, drinking is legal if you are 21 or older. It seems like we are repeating the history and making the same mistakes that occurred in the past. Prohibition did not work then, and prohibition for young people under 21 is not working now.

The drinking age should be lowered to 18 giving young adults the permission to drink in controlled environments such as restaurants, bars and official school and university functions. Mature and sensibly drinking behavior could then be taught and educated. Why will lowering the drinking age to 18 make any difference?

According to a study made by Professor Ruth C. Engs from Indiana University, young adults under 21 are most likely to become heavy drinkers. The reason for that is because of the way young people think. In most cases, the fact that you need to be 21 to drink, makes teenagers under 21 feel like they need to drink because it is part being an adult. They know it is illegal, and it makes them more impatient to drink. If the drinking age was lowered to 18, these thoughts would not the same; young people wouldn't look at it the same since it would be available to them legally. This would change their opinion of drinking and they would begin to expect mature drinking. They would also feel less of a need for alcohol since it is accessible to them at anytime legally.