The Legal Drinking Age Debate
Conrad Olszewski
Brief History

1934 – Legal Drinking age was set at 21 years of age.

1974 – Legal Drinking age for beer was lowered from 21 to 18 years.

1983 – Legal Drinking age for all sales of beer raised to 19 years

1987 – Legal Drinking age for alcoholic beverages raised to 21 years

Today – The legal age to purchase, consume, and possess alcohol is still 21
years.
The Problem

The debate over what should be the legal drinking age has been going on for
years.

Should the drinking age in the United States remain at 21 years?

Should the drinking age in the United States be lowered to 18 years?

Several pros and cons for both sides of the argument.

Should be analyzed in order to come up with appropriate mediation.
Pro Number 1

Lowering the drinking age would teach responsibility to teenagers

Would educate them on the matter

Would allow supervision from adults

Would avoid sneaking around and irresponsible behavior
Con Number 1

Lowering the Drinking Age would lead to more accidents and fatalities

Leading cause of death of teens are traffic accidents

28 % of these traffic accidents are alcohol related

Teens in the U.S are allowed to drive at a young age, more likely to drive drunk
Pro Number 2

Gives adults a basic right they should have at this age.

At 18, people can do many new things…except this one

People feel that it is unconstitutional

Teens feel like they can’t be trusted by adults

“Our society's age-specific approaches often boil down to curbing the freedoms of
the young -- and increasing their punishments...”
-Froma Harrop, national columnist
Con Number 2

It would lead to teens making bad decisions.

Can lead to unwise choices such as unprotected sex, violence, drugs, etc.

Drinking and driving would be a major concern

This puts their life in danger as well as others on the road
Pro Number 3

The current law does not work.

Teens under 21 drink regardless of what the law says

Police could spend more time doing more productive things

More time could be spent educating about alcohol instead of preventing it.

"It's time to rethink the drinking age… Twenty-one is not working.”
Con Number 3

“Trickle Down Effect”

Would give high schoolers and middle schoolers easier access to alcohol

Most common source of alcohol for 18-20 years are their 21-24 year old friends

More kids would be getting in trouble at younger age
The Solution

The Legal Drinking Age in the United State should be lowered to 18 years
and the legal driving age should be raised to 18 years

18 year olds would have to complete an alcohol education test before
obtaining their drivers license

People under 21 would not be able to operate a vehicle with any traces of
alcohol in their system
Benefits of Mediation

Would teach teens responsibility through education on the topic in schools.

Would give people the rights they deserve.

Would prevent many alcohol related traffic accidents.
Works Cited

1.) "Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered from 21 to a Younger Age?" Www.procon.org.
National Institute of Health, 9 Feb. 2009. Web. 28 Mar. 2012.
<http://drinkingage.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=1610>.

2.) Harrop, Froma. "Pro and Con Arguments." Www.procon.org. 4 June 2010. Web. 28 Mar.
2012. http://drinkingage.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=1610.

3.)"The Debate on Lowering The Drinking Age." Www.cbsnews.com. 1 Mar. 2012. Web. 3 Mar.
27. http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18560_1624813571.html?pageNum=4&tag=contentMain;contentBody.

4.) Minton, Michelle. "Lower The Drinking Age For Everyone." Www.nationalreview.com. 20
Apr. 2011. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. <http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/264916/lowerdrinking-age-everyone-michelle-minton>.
Works Cited (continued)

5.) Cauchon, Dennis. "Zero-tolerance Policies Lack Flexibility." Www.usatoday.com. 13 Apr. 1999. Web. 23
Apr. 2012. http://www.usatoday.com/educate/ednews3.htm.

6.) "Should Parents Give Alcohol To Their Kids?" Www.cbsnews.com. 22 Mar. 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500172_162-20045848.html>.

7.) Schlesinger, Robert. "The Drinking Age Debate." Www.usanews.com. 23 Feb. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2009/02/23/the-drinking-age-debate-time-to-gofrom-21-to-18-but-its-not-an-easy-call.

8.) "Under-21 College Students More Likely To Binge Drink" Www.chicagotribune.com. 19 June 2000. Web.
29 Mar. 2012. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-06-19/news/0006190050_1_alcohol-at-fraternityparties-bars-and-on-campus-parties-henry-wechsler.

9.) Figueroa, Alyssa. "Amethyst Initiative and Underage Drinking." Www.imprintmagazine.org. 4 Nov. 2008.
Web. 18 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.imprintmagazine.org/life_and_style/amethyst_initiative_and_underage_drinking>.