Grace+Kim

Drinking Age Teenage drinking is increasing and it is still illegal. The legal age for alcohol consumption in the States is 21 years old. Currently, America has the 2nd highest drinking age and a lot of people; especially teenagers think that the law should lower down the age. According to an article in TIME magazine, it says “In the U.S., the age-old problem of excessive drinking is taking a disturbing new turn and affecting new kinds of victims. On a New York subway train, a school-bound 15-year-old holds his books in one hand, a brown paper bag containing a beer bottle in the other. He takes a swig, then passes bag and bottle to a classmate. In a San Francisco suburb, several high school freshmen show up for class drunk every morning, while others sneak off for a nip or two of whisky during the lunch recess. On the campuses the beer bash is fashionable once again, and lowered drinking ages have made liquor the high without the hassle.” Even though young adults know that it is illegal to drink at the age below 21, they will still drink. By the age of 21, you are already a senior in college. And who would have not been drinking at the age below 21. You can get an official job and vote for the country when you are 18. By the age of 18, many responsibilities are gained. Mature and sensible drinking behavior would be expected because an individual should be independent enough. Drinking may cause or lead to many bad situations but at the age of 18, individuals can be responsible. Even at the age above 30, people still get into car accidents caused by drinking. So does the drinking age still have to be over 21? You can even go to the army when you’re 18. Especially teenagers have this instinct that if they can’t do it, they want to do it more. I really don’t get the point of putting the drinking age up to 21. I fully believe the minimum drinking age should be changed to allow less illegal events.