The drinking age hasn’t always been set at the infamous twenty-one years old. Throughout history, debates have raged as society has tried to decide what the drinking age should be. So why is twenty-one the conclusion? Why not eighteen, as it was long ago?
I have heard many different opinions on this topic, even just in everyday discussions. Obviously, not everyone will ever be satisfied with a certain decision, no matter what it may be.
Some people believe that the legal drinking age should be eighteen. After all, if that is the age that citizens of America can go to war and die for their country, if they must then be responsible for themselves and others, and if that is the age that they are considered legal adults, then why can’t they be allowed to drink?
On the other hand, some people believe that eighteen is much too young. The mind of an eighteen year old is too immature and there is no way they can make responsible decisions regarding themselves and others. Both sides make valid points, but either side can counter the other. So what is the right age?
As far as I see it, it is not the drinking age that should be in question here. In my opinion, eighteen is indeed too young to be allowed to drink, but I also believe that if we are considered legal adults of this country, then we should be given the rights every other legal adult has. Therefore, perhaps the age of legal adulthood should be reconsidered. I’m not saying eighteen-year-olds are not adults, but perhaps they are just not ready to take on the legal ramifications that are involved. Perhaps, if we are to reach legal adulthood at twenty-one instead of eighteen, or even twenty instead of eighteen, we would be more able to make responsible and constructive decisions on whether or not to drink, as well as on the many other important decisions of adulthood.
1 comments