Throughout high school I have been in many underage drinking situations. It is proven that 82% of 9th through 12th graders in Maryland have tried alcohol . Out of that 82%, 51% of those are now current drinkers. I believe that we as a nation should educate our teenagers about their responsibilities when drinking. A lower legal drinking age may be the answer to America's problem. Supporters believe that a better understanding for alcoholic beverages and the uniting of our society could occur if there were a lower drinking age. .
The law is unenforceable and ineffective. Eighteen-year-olds are able to take part in all other government regulated events, and using Europe as an example, we should lower the drinking age. A lower drinking age is in called for in today's society. For about 20 years now, the drinking age has been 21-years-old, due to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. Yet the law is essentially unenforceable and ineffective. These laws do a fine job of keeping young people out of clubs and bars, but do nothing to prevent them from obtaining alcohol from other places; a sibling, friend, or a party for example. The law may resist a minor being able to walk into a store and buy alcohol, but it does not prevent them from drinking. .
A person is considered to be an adult on so many different levels when he or she turn eighteen, yet alcohol is still kept from them for three more years. A person who is eighteen-years-old is able to take part in all other government regulated events, such as buying tobacco products, voting, and serving in the military. The list of rights one gains when he or she turn eighteen does not end there, can also be at risk to be drafted, can be tried as an adult, can apply for a credit card, can take marriage vows, and even relinquish their status as a minor. These require a lot of responsibility and the same maturity that someone who is twenty or even forty would need to make the same decisions.
