Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should the drinking age be 18?
Position‹2 of 4›

No, the drinking age should be 21.

Young adults are more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of alcohol and less equipped to make responsible choices about drinking. A higher drinking age prohibits people from drinking until they are mature enough to handle it.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. A higher drinking age reduces drunk driving
    The single biggest danger associated with drinking is drunk driving, and less drunk driving happens when the drinking age is higher.
  2. Younger people are too immature to drink
    There are too many risks associated with drinking alcohol to trust young adults to drink responsibly. A higher minimum age is consistent with standards for other weighty responsibilities.
  3. Drinking alcohol is medically risky
    Young adults are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of alcohol consumption on brain development, and are at greater risk of alcohol poisoning.