The Savory Escape: Case Study

In the United States, the minimum age required to legally consume alcohol is twenty-one years, being allowed in some states for young people under the minimum drinking age to consume alcohol under specific controlled circumstances. This particular age is controversial as it does not correspond to the age of majority of 18 years embraced by 47 states, which entitles the individual to vote, get married and join the army, among other decisions inherent to adulthood. It is thus seen as contradictory to consider a young person mature enough to take decisions of this nature, but not mature enough to drink alcohol.

Car crashes, sexual assaults, domestic abuse, and alcohol poisoning are just a few of the reasons why people under the age of 21 are devastated by the illegal use of alcohol. Alcohol is the first drug choice by the nation’s youth; which could often lead to consequences. The legal drinking age should stay at twenty-one because it betters brain development and lessens violent assaults.

Louisiana has the lowest rate of arrests for liquor law violations with a rate of 12 arrests per 100,000 in the population; South Dakota has the highest rate with 561 per 100,000 (Wagenaar and Wolfson 39). Despite these numbers of arrests through appropriate law enforcement, underage individuals are still able to access alcohol in many areas. In a recent study, underage males successfully purchased packaged beer in 97 percent of attempts in Washington D.C., 80 percent in Westchester County, New York, and 44 percent in Albany/Schenectady Counties in New York. A similar study found that underage youth were refused alcohol sales in only one-third of 100 establishments tested in eight sights across the United States (Wagenaar and Wolfson 38). It is believe that this perceived leniency in the enforcement creates an environment that enables binge drinking among those that are underage.

underage people can and will get alcohol if they want it, there is always someone out there

Teens can be taught responsible drinking, by the Law coming up with permits and issuing them to teens till there about 21 to help them teach to be more responsible with drinking. Teens would be able to use these permits, in supervised areas, such as sport games, restaurants or bars, or even in their own home with their parents supervising them. They can take and complete alcohol related courses and have no alcohol related charges on their record before they are issued this permit that is like a drivers learning permit. (Ogilvie)

Therefore, these are the many reasons the legal drinking age should begin at the age of 25 years old. If the liquor stores, bars, restaurants, clubs and parties enforce showing ID; drinking will not be so easy to get a hold of. And they should minimize people a certain amount of drinks

drinking laws) target sales of alcohol to minors and public possession of alcohol by minors.

For many years the debate of the age one can legally drink and purchase alcohol has continued. Those who believe the age should lower suggest 18 as the proper age. However a plethora of people argue an 18 year old does not withhold the maturity to drink. On the other hand many positive aspects of allowing 18 year olds to consume and purchase alcohol, both in health, safety, and maturity.

The minimum drinking age in all 50 US States should remain at 21. Exceptions do exist on a state-by-state basis for consumption at home under adult supervision, medical necessity, and other reasons. If parents allow their teenagers to consume alcohol, then we are saying that it is acceptable for a 10 year old to drink beer. In 1976, US Supreme Court case Craig v. Boren ruled 7-2 that this age difference violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment (American Medical Association).

Despite the current legal drinking age being 21, underage drinkers have a virtually unlimited supply to alcohol because parents, siblings, and friends that are of age can easily supply them with booze; 26 percent of underage drinkers receive alcohol from parents or family members. In fact, 40 percent of young adults receive alcoholic beverages from friends and family (2008, Edgar Snyder). “When asked how easy it would be to get alcohol, most 8th, 10th, and 12th graders said ‘fairly easy’ or ‘very easy’” (2008, Edgar Snyder).

In addition, though the law may say the minimum drinking age is 21, we all know that individuals under the age of 21 still participate in the action of drinking, whether it be illegal or not. Yes, often times this can lead to binge drinking and troublesome situations for these

Many negative effects come with drinking alcohol. Since teenagers’ brains are not fully developed until they are in their mid 20’s, it is especially dangerous to them. The legal alcohol age should not be eighteen because it harms the teenage brain and body, it has negative (and potentially fatal) effects on school, and it has negative effects on driving.

The drinking age in the United States is a contradiction. At the age of eighteen, one can drive a car, vote in an election, get married, serve in the military and buy tobacco products. In the United States you are legally an adult at eighteen. An eighteen-year-old, however, cannot purchase alcoholic beverages. The minimum drinking age should be lowered from twenty-one in the United States.

Underaged drinking has become a rising problem in the small wonder of Delaware. This problem of underaged drinking has affected 32,000 of Delawareans (“Delaware Dropout Summary Statistics”) aging from 12-20. It has lasted a long period of time while the general public is now engaging more in underaged drinking even though it is against the rules. Delaware continues to face the intensity of this problem by having higher crime rates and drunk driving. Though is being enforced, and people are getting punished for going against the rule, the fact of the matter is that if we reduce the age to 18 then less people would break the law in the first place.

First, it is necessary to question this law. Why is 21 the "magical" age that makes one intelligent and mature enough to consume alcohol? Surely, some adults abuse alcohol and some teenagers would be perfectly able to drink responsibly. This seemingly arbitrary number is associated with adulthood, as if the day a person turns 21 they know everything and