Should Drinking Age Be Lowered?

As everyone knows the legal drinking age in America is 21. Although, in many countries the drinking age is either 16 or 18. Such as Cuba, Panama, and more, legalize drinking for 16 and older. In France, Canda, Mexico, Italy, and many more, the legal age is 18. Many people have their own thoughts on what age is appropriate for drinking alcohol. 

I feel that the drinking age in America should be lowered to 18. Once you turn 18 you’re by law considered an adult. If you’re legally able to live on your own, buy a house, and go into the military at that age you should be able to make the choice to drink or not. If America lowered its drinking age to 18, it would join the 61 percent of the countries that have the drinking age of 18 or 19.

Other people think that it should stay legal for people that are 21 and older. One of the reasons why people think it should stay the same is because they think that drinking under 21 links to many immature decisions like car crashes, suicide, and alcohol poisoning. I disagree with them because you should be able to know your limits and know when to make the right decisions. 

In conclusion, the drinking age in America should be lowered to 18 because you should be able to make your own decision and take responsibility for your own actions.


Do you think the drinking age should be lowered? Why or why not?

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  • Great topic choice and well done overall Paulina! While you give great personal thoughts within your summary, I also want you to educate people on the issue with data. Use sources to explain why it should or shouldn't be lowered and then give your opinions.

  • I have mixed opinions on whether the drinking age should be lowered. On one hand I think that since you are considered a legal adult you should have the right to drink. But I can see the other side of the argument where it increases the death rate of teenagers. So I'm currently undecided; I will have to do further research on my own to make a decision. 

  • I think that it would be okay to move the legal drinking age to 18 because you are legally an adult so why wouldn't you be able to drink. On the other hand I do think that things like car crashes and other things will go up because of people I know that have done things like that.

  • I also think that the drinking age should be moved down because I agree that if a person that is 18 years old is able to buy things and join the military then they should be able to drink as well.  I think that buying a house is a bigger deal then drinking so if you can buy a house at 18 you should be able to drink.

  • Personally, yes I think that people become a "legal adult" at 18, but is 18 year old mature enough to make this decision? I think overall it would end up leading to more harm then positive. But of couse, just let every situation there are both pros and cons. I think that 21 is an okay age because it has given someone  time to mature, and grow up a bit more. I think no matter what though, the enture US needs to agree, otherwise it will end up with more wrecks from teens traveling to states with lower drinking ages. 

  • I do think the Drinking age should be lowered. When you turn 18 you become an adult you can make medical decisions and enroll in the Military. If you are able to do those things you should be able to drink alcohol. Its your body and you have control and make big decisions and this should be one of them.

  • I believe that the drinking age should be lowered because if you are legally able to take out loans, be in the military, buy a house, own a car, etc. you should be able to drink if that is what you choose. I do understand why people believe that the drinking age should stay at 21, but overall, it is up to the person to make smart decisions while drinking such as not drving while drunk. If they are an adult, we should trust them to make good decisions.

  • I believe the drinking age should be lowered from 21 years old to 18. The government should do this becasue you are allowed to make other important decisions on how you live your life and you should be able to do the same when it comes to drinking alochal.

  • I think the drinking age should be lowered because if you can vote and have a say in who the president is who will affect the how the country operates then why can't you drink alchohol. Also if you can be drafted into the military you should be able to legally drink. So I think the legal drinking age should be lowered to 18 years old.

  • I think that they drinking age should be lowered because you are an adult, and should be able to make your own decisions and take responsibility. If you can join the military, vote, and own or rent a house, then you should be able to drink at 18 years old. 

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