In American colleges and university's, underage drinking is common. The United States is one of only three developed countries which have a nationwide legalized drinking age over 18 (FFF Articles, 2013). In the US, the drinking age is 21, but many students enter college in their late teens. In fact, most college students are 17-23, and the human brain continues to develop until approximately age 25.
Consuming alcohol at a young age can do things to our bodies which may cause us harm later in life; loss of memory, slowed thinking, impaired problem solving and decision making, etc. A survey taken in 2011 by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, reports that 25% of youth aged 12 to 20 years drink alcohol and 16% binge drink (Alcohol and Public Health, 2012). Binge drinking is the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time for the sole purpose of getting drunk. .
Another reason the drinking age in America is 21 is because we have one of the lowest driving ages in the world. Most European countries don't allow a person to obtain a license until their 18, in part because need doesn't necessitate it; there are many convenient public transportation options available. Since a youth can obtain a driver's license at age 16, if he/she could drink at 18, they would be more likely to get into an alcohol related car accident. In 2011, 9,878 people were killed in alcohol related car accidents, and approximately 315,000 were seriously injured (Motor Vehicle Crashes.2012, 12). .
Another reason the drinking age in the United States is 21, is because of the National Minimum Drinking Age of 1984. The National Minimum Drinking Age of 1984 states that the power to set your own drinking age lies with the states. It was signed by President Reagan during his presidency. .
Here's a list of everything the law tries to do:.
A) heighten public awareness of the seriousness of the drunk driving problem.
