What Are The Pros And Cons Of Lowering The Drinking Age

Drinking Age There are many pros and cons to lowering the national drinking age from 21 years of age to 19 years of age. I believe the drinking age should stay at 21 even though many of my peers feel otherwise. People under the age of 21 are drinking whether it is legal or not. They may have a fake identification or have someone purchase alcohol for them, the fact is they are drinking. When I talk with others about this topic, comments are always made such as: when a person turns 12, they can get a hunting license and carry a gun, at 16, they can get a driver’s license and quit school, at 18 they have the right to vote, serve in the military and are considered an adult. They can have a baby and get married but can’t have a glass of champagne to celebrate. I understand these thoughts and sometimes wish it was 19 but when you look at the research, it is better for everyone that every state to set the legal drinking age 21.
In order to understand how the change in the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) came about, I think it is important to understand the history of it. From December 6th, 1933 - July 16th, 1984, the drinking ages were set by individual states. Many of the states had the drinking age set at 21 while several others had the drinking age at
One national study of laws stated that raising the drinking age to 21 indicated that persons who grew up in United States with a drinking age of 21, compared to those who grew up in United States with lower legal drinking ages, drank less not only when they were under the age of 21 years of age but also when they were between 21 to 25 years of age. 149 I understand why some people would like the drinking age changed from 21 to 19. But when you look at the statistics and the facts about the mortality rate and the negative effects of underage drinking, waiting two more years is definitely worth