Written by on January 23, 2020

The Drinking Age in America is Foolish

Culture . Politics . Society

As a young man, I told myself that I wouldn’t drink alcohol to often when I finally became of age. The thought of feeling sick from over-drinking or the headaches from a hangover did not make me want to do it at all. I was content with the age limit set in America being 21. I didn’t think twice about it actually because I was a goodie-two-shoes. But around the age of 20, I realized that drinking is indeed fun and worth it and the age limit being 21 in America is downright dumb considering the following facts.  

At the age of 16 one is allowed to operate objects that weigh around 4,000 pounds (1814 kg) and can move up to 120 miles/hour (193 km/hr) on average. Yes of course, a license to drive these objects is necessary. However, the testing to receive these licenses is ever really consistent. But regardless, it is allowed to drive such vehicles at the age of 16, but if that same person has a sip of beer (not while driving hopefully), then they are breaking the law. The trust given to these young people is shocking, because everyone knows that 16 year olds are not the most responsible people (on average). Beer? Heavens no! But it’s okay for them to drive 2 ton death machines. Funny, right?

But there is something that isn’t so funny: war. In America, when a man turns 18, they must register with the government and after, they become eligible to be drafted. Something to note: the last draft happened in 1973. The next one isn’t the horizon (as long as Trump doesn’t completely lose his mind). But imagine this: you make it to college at the age of 18. You then receive a letter in the mail saying something along the lines of “Hey! Just to let you know, if a war happens and America needs soldiers, it’s possible for you to be drafted since your 18.” The idea of randomly having a gun dropped in my hands to fight in a war that I probably didn’t want really freaked me out when I got to college. But let’s not forget that at the time I wasn’t allowed to have a glass of wine to calm me down since I was 18. But at least I can use the AR-15 I now have.

Here is something even more outlandish. In America, even at the age of 20, you can just buy a registered gun from your local gun shop. That’s what  20 year old Adam Lanza did a few days before he murdered more than 25 people with the gun he just legally bought. America is no stranger from shootings unfortunately, but one of the most baffling parts about it is that the assailants can be so young because the age limit for things is not regulated. A person can register and own an object that can end someone’s life instantly but they cannot chug a beer.

Crazy right? So with knowing all these facts, how is it even possible that the drinking age is still 21? You can drive cars, vote for the face of America for the next four years, buy and use guns all at the age of 18. But you are not allowed to drink alcohol. That just doesn’t make sense to me.

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