The Legal Drinking Age Debate

1. The Legal Drinking Age Debate Conrad Olszewski

3. 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.

4. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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...” -FromaHarrop, national columnist

9. 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

10. 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.”

11. 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 • 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.

12. 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.) "Pro and Con Arguments." Www.procon.org. 4 June 2010. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://drinkingage.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=1610>. • 3.) Cbs News. "The Debate on Lowering The Drinking Age." Www.cbsnews.com. 1 Mar. 2012. Web. 3 Mar. 27. <http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18560_162-4813571.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/lower-drinking-age-everyone-michelle-minton>.