Changing America’s Hypocritical Drinking Law
Changing America’s Hypocritical Drinking Law
Things you can do at 18
Vote
Get a tattoo
Buy lottery tickets
Rent
Open a bank account
Sue
Go to jury duty
Get married
Buy Fireworks
Gamble / Go to casinos
Join the military
Consent to their body being used in a medical study
Carry an organ donor card
Donate blood
Make a will
View, rent or buy an 18-rated film
( Vladlena Lee )
The drinking age should be lowered to 18 simply because 18 year olds are considered grown adults. At the age of 18, you can go to war and die for this country, which is why it’s plain ironic and silly that you can't have a alcoholic beverage at 18.
Not only is it completely hypocritical that 18 year olds can buy cigarettes or vote but not drink, it also hurts the "marketability" of 18-21 year olds in the economy. After all, most stores sell alcohol. Yet, at the age of 18, due to the alcohol constraints placed on minors, they cannot do this and thus cannot work to their full potential. This doesn’t just affect the minors; it affects the businesses and their customers. For example, many customers have to impatiently wait for a person that’s older than 21 to sell them liquor.
Even though there is a law that states that people under the age of 21 cannot consume alcohol, teenagers will be teenagers. Teens will drink regardless of what their parents and the law says and whats even worst is that they will do it in even a more irresponsible way. “Americans in particular have a hard time negotiating their relationship with alcohol, largely due to what has to be one of the most immature drinking cultures anywhere. As a society we make alcohol readily available—at package stores, bars, restaurants, even at the 7-Eleven for chrissakes—but we simultaneously stigmatize the men or women who dare to overindulge on these many elixirs within their reach.” (Carmen)
By now from reading this petition you should know that teens will be teens and drink regardless of the law and what their parents think. Another problem with the drinking age is that throughout the world, children of all ages drink. 49% of Australian adults believe that underage parental supervision in the home is acceptable. In France and in Italy parents serve small amounts of wine to their children at family meals.(Griggs) “In Italy, There are only 2 acceptable options when its comes to drinking: to abstain and/or drink responsibility. Abuse of alcohol is not tolerated. Also in Italy people start drinking at an early age at home. By doing this, minors are in a safer and supportive environment than in college or a party”. (Lu). Other countries teach their youth to drink in moderation, not to get “sloppy drunk”. They don't restrict their kids like america restricts their teens and by doing that our age restrictions encourage irresponsible drinking in our youth versus countries who let young people drink and/or more tolerant. Thats why I came to the conclusion that the government should issue a drinker’s permit for 18-20 year olds. The permits should be just like a driver’s permit. It would cost money just like a ordinary drivers permit would. Many teens all over the country will buy one and this would help the economy.
Here are some requirements to get a drinker’s permit
Have to be 18 - 20
Need a parent consent
Clean record
Have to pass a self awareness class on drunk driving,drinking, and drugs
Take a rigorous test to demonstrate thorough knowledge of alcohol (History, physical and mental effects)
Can’t be on prescription medication while consuming alcohol
Just like a drivers permit if we violate it, we would get it taken away. Here are some violations that would result in the drinkers permit getting revoked.
Violations
Being legally drunk in public (BAC is over .08)
Drunk driving
Drinking but not having drinking permit in possession
Committing a crime while drunk (BAC is over .08)
I feel that drinking between the ages of 18 and 21 is a responsible act and that you should have to go through these trials in order to get a drinker’s permit. Teens will have to pay for the drinker’s permit and the self awareness class. By doing this, the economy will reaped the benefits. Alcohol sells will also benefit from this change, altogether helping America’s economy. This would be a great compromise for both the country and 18 year olds.
You can make this compromise a reality by signing this petition right away!
Lee, Vladlena. "19 Exciting Things That You Can Do Once You Turn 18 ..."Lifestyle on Allwomenstalk. 16 Aug. 2013. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
Carmen, Tim. "On the Rocks: Can America Learn to Drink Intelligently?"Young Hungry RSS. Washington City Paper, 23 Nov. 2010. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
Griggs, Brandon. "Should the U.S. Lower Its Drinking Age? - CNN.com."CNN. Cable News Network. Web. 05 Jan. 2015
LU, ALICIA. "Bustle." Bustle. Bustle, 10 May 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
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