A majority of teenagers experience going to a high school party at least once before they leave for college, and it is all fun and games until the party gets busted by the police. Most teenagers at any party would receive a drinking ticket because they are drinking illegally.
The Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) of 21 is ineffective because adolescents and young adults will consume alcohol regardless. A major population on teenagers try alcohol in high school because of peer pressure, so how does an age requirement regulate that? Teens will do it regardless of the rules. Some adolescents will drink underage because it is considered risky; it gives them more of an adrenaline rush.
In other countries, their legal drinking age is 18 years old and it has been shown very beneficial to the population. When one turns 18, in the United States, they are allowed to vote, join the military and purchase tobacco products; so why is it so horrible to start drinking at that age? Young people of various countries, where the drinking age is 18, have learned to drink at younger ages, this helping with drinking responsible, according to The United States Department of Justice. This also leads to a decrease in illegal drinking throughout the teenage population. Teenagers will not feel such a thrill from breaking the law when they know they can legally drink sooner than 21. 18 is the age of adulthood in the United States and, with that, they should become responsible for their consumption of alcohol.
I have been to multiple countries where the drinking age is 18. In Europe, for example, teenagers as young as 16 can start drinking beer and wine, and then when they turn 18 they can begin to drink spirits. The consumption of alcohol at such a young age gives the young adult a concept of responsibility with that they drink.
I think lowering the MDLA to 18 would increase profit for the U.S. economy. More people would legally be allowed to drink in bars, clubs, restaurants, and purchase alcohol at stores. Revenue would increase for private business owners, and bigger amounts of tax would be collected for the government.
Even though there are some people that disagree with lowering the drinking age, I think it is a great idea. It makes sense to start being responsible for what one drinks when they become an adult, especially since they can vote and enlist in the army.
— By Emma Quasny