Legal Drinking Age
Why should the legal drinking age be lowered?
Drinking Age Around the World
- Several countries do not have a legal drinking age
- Italy, German, Haiti & more- minimum drinking age is 16 years old
- China, Greece & more- 18 years old
- Indonesia, United States & more- 21 years old
- India- 25 years old
Average Drinking Age
- In fifty countries the drinking age is lower than 18
- In twelve countries it is higher than 18
- The average drinking age listed is 15.9 years old
Drinking in the "Old Days"
- There were not many drinking laws "back in the day"
- Laws were based on the percentage of alcohol within the drinks
Effects of the Vietnam War
- 18 year olds were drafted into the war
- Legal drinking age was lowered
- Soon to be raised right back up
Drinking Age in the Military
- In the "old days" there was no drinking age for military
- Anyone on active duty could consume alcohol in military installations
- Now drinking age for the military is the same as the rest of the country
- 21 years old
Petitions Against the Legal Drinking Age
- Many petitions taken to lower the drinking age
- Some just for military
- Others for the country as one
Responsibilities at 18 years old
- Right to smoke
- Get married
- Serve in a jury
- Be prosecuted as an adult
- Join the military
Problems now with the Drinking Age
- No responsibilities for actions
- Fake IDs
- Thrill of breaking the law
Pros of the Legal Drinking Age being Lowered
- Decrease unsafe drinking activity
- Diminish the thrill of breaking the law
- MLDA of 21 is ineffective to teens
- MLDA of 21 enforcement is not a priority for many law enforcement agencies