Should the Minimum Drinking Age be Lowered from 21 to 18?

When I was in my teens, I might have agreed with lowering the minimum drinking age from 21 to 18. However, my current perspective is different. The issue with the drinking age is more nuanced than simply selling alcohol; it's about public safety and responsible consumption.

The Real Significance of the Drinking Age

When you set the legal drinking age to 21, it means that alcohol cannot legally be sold to people under that age. However, this doesn't mean that those individuals won't drink at all. The reality is that only politicians often believe that raising the legal drinking age will magically stop underage drinking. The truth is that it won't; young people will find ways to obtain and consume alcohol regardless of the legal age.

The Benefits of Raising the Drinking Age to 21

The legal drinking age of 21 has made a significant difference in reducing drinking and driving fatalities, particularly among 18-year-olds. At this age, individuals tend to lack the necessary impulse control and have not gained enough driving experience to handle the responsibility of driving sober, let alone drunk.

The statistics are stark: the people who die in DUI (Driving Under the Influence) crashes are often innocent passengers and bystanders, not the drunk drivers themselves, who often escape injury or suffer minor ones. This is not acceptable, and the laws are in place to protect everyone, not just young drivers. Zero tolerance is essential for actions that endanger public safety and cause unnecessary suffering.

The Establishment of a Single Legal Age

Setting the legal drinking age to 18 in all states, across all situations, would be a more rational and equitable approach. Currently, there is a significant variation; for instance, an 18-year-old can drink beer at a family reunion in Kansas but not at a public bar. The age of majority is 18, and legally, individuals should be able to make responsible choices at that age, including the consumption of alcohol.

Another consideration is the logical equivalence of smoking and drinking. Both actions that can be lethal at any age but are restricted based on arbitrary legal definitions. The drinking age should align with the age of majority for other legal responsibilities, such as voting and consenting to medical treatment.

Conclusion: On the Legal Age of Majority

Legally establishing the age of majority at 18, where all adult actions are permissible, removes the anomaly of a semi-adult period between 18-21. This approach acknowledges the physical and mental development of young adults and recognizes the inherent risk of drunk driving. The idea of a half-step in legal adulthood, where certain rights and responsibilities are deferred until 21, is not only confusing but potentially unconstitutional. The long-term benefits of raising the drinking age to 21 outweigh the historical arguments in favor of a lower age, especially regarding public safety.

Ultimately, the decision to maintain or raise the drinking age reflects our societal values and priorities. If the goal is to ensure public safety and protect the well-being of individuals, the decision to keep the age at 21 is a pragmatic and necessary one.