background on drinking

Drinking has been a very controversial issue for a very long time. Ever since the 1980's the drinking age was raised from 18 to 21. Many people think that 21 is a good age because it prevents alcohol abuse in young teens, drunk driving, and other drug abuse. Many think that this keeps teens safe and out of trouble. They think that younger teens under 21 are irresponsible and do not know how much to drink or when to stop and they get out of control and drink too much to the point where they get sick. People find that this is a good way to teach kids responsibility and shows them that they have to wait to drink. Many elders believe that when the drinking age was at 18 there were many more accidents, alcoholics, and other diseases and drug abuses that went along with drinking. Drinking has a huge impact on people making them do stupid things and impairing their ability to think and make the right decisions. It leaves them helpless and not in control of themselves.

Yet, others think that the drinking age should be lowered back to 18 because they believe that it is unfair to let 18 year olds go to war and fight for their country, be able to get married, be able to own a house, and are able to start a family, yet they aren't allowed to drink? Also, many people believe that if the drinking age was lowered back to 18 teens would not drink in secret or binge drink which leads to more trouble. They believe that if it was lowered it would lessen some of the drinking issues the law is experiencing with teens and college students today. Many students throw parties and get alcohol from older students illegally because they are not capable of purchasing it themselves. People believe that if we lowered the age we would be able to monitor everyone and watch how much they drink and have them drink in the open instead of in secret.