This file is copyright of Jens Schriver (c) 
It originates from the Evil House of Cheat 
       More essays can always be found at: 
       --- http://www.CheatHouse.com --- 
                ... and contact can always be made to: 
                    Webmaster@cheathouse.com 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
Essay Name       : 890.txt 
Uploader         : Dave Rarick
Email Address    : drarick@gisco.net
Language         : english
Subject          : Drugs
Title            : Lowering the drinking age.
Grade            : A-
School System    : Community college
Country          : USA
Author Comments  : About two pages double spaced with one documented source.  Includes work cited.
Teacher Comments : 
Date             : 11/11
Site found at    : excite.com
--------------------------------------------------------------
English 101

10/28/96  

			LOWERING THE DRINKING AGE

     It is legal for eighteen year-olds to die for their country,
it is legal for eighteen year-olds to marry, and it is legal for
eighteen year-olds to vote.  Why then isn't it legal for eighteen
year-olds to drink?  I don't think that is right, and I believe
that the drinking age in the United States should be lowered from
twenty one years of age, to eighteen.
     For the most part, the drinking age does not deter young
people from drinking.  Studies have shown that lowering the legal
age slightly increases the frequency that people drink, but not
the number of people who drink; people who do not drink before
the legal age is lowered do not drink afterward.  (Wechsler 142) 
What it does do, however, is push young people to find places to
drink where they won't be caught.  Often this means drinking out
in the woods at a hunting camp, or drinking around a bonfire in
the middle of a field.  I think it would make more sence for them
to be able to drink supervised, in a bar or club, where there is
less danger for injury.
     Another reason I think that the drinking age should be
lowered is because it pushes young people to find alternatives to
drinking.  Often these alternatives are recreational drugs and
narcotics.  Many of these drugs are more addictive than alcohol,
and most of these drugs are more dangerous.  I think most adults
would rather have their young people drink a glass of beer than
shoot up.  
     Many people think that the drinking age should stay at
twenty one.  These people believe that people under the age of
twenty one are not mature enough to handle the responsibility
that comes with drinking.  The answer to that is that there are
many examples of immature adults in all age groups.  I agree that
there are some eighteen and nineteen year-olds that are barely
mature enough to cross the street by themselves, but if you look
in almost any newspaper you will probably find articles about
forty year-olds who can't be trusted to do even that.  The fact
is, most nineteen and twenty year-olds are either risking their
lives for their country in the armed forces, working to support
themselves or a family, or are under the pressure of earning a
higher education.  These people certainly demonstrate enough
responsibility for them to have a glass of beer.
     Should the drinking age be lowered to eighteen?  I think so. 
Lowering the drinking age will create a safe environment for
young people to drink, and will eliminate the need for
alternatives.  Besides, most eighteen year-olds are as mature as
most twenty one-year olds, and should be treated so.




                               Works Cited

Wechsler, Henry.  Minimum-Drinking-Age Laws.
     Lexington: D.C. Heath and Company, 1980.      
--------------------------------------------------------------
