I read an interesting from Cosmopolitan about two states considering lowering the drinking age.  One is California and the other is Minnesota.  I have a pretty strong opinion but I'd also like to hear your thoughts on this.

According to the article from Cosmopolitan, Phyllis Khan, a  state representative from the Twin Cities, authored two bills in regards to lowering the drinking age.  The first drops the age of consumption to 18 in bars and restaurants.  The second would allow adults between the ages of 18 and 20 to drink in bars and restaurants as long as they're with a parent, guardian or spouse that is over 21.

I feel like this idea has been floating around for quite some time and I also feel as though we have bigger issues to deal with than worrying about what age should be legal to crack open a beer or a bottle of whiskey but that's neither here nor there.  The idea of lowering the drinking age is up for debate.

I'm going to play the devil's advocate here for a moment and say that I can see this issue from both sides.  If you keep the legal age at 21, there's a lot of younger people that are going to drink anyway, so why not just lower it?

On the flip side, I understand why it was raised to 21 and why opponents want to keep it there.  When you turn 18, you're introduced to a whole new world of freedom.  You might still live at home but you're on your own.  You're 100% responsible for your own actions and you have to live with the consequences.  Mommy and daddy aren't going to be able to shield you from the world anymore.

With that in mind, I really don't think the drinking age should be lowered.  I know the idea is to teach young adults responsible drinking in a social setting but I just don't think the maturity is there for most.  Maturity is not something that can be taught, it comes from life experiences.

Being able to drink and make wise choices about drinking is a big deal. It's not something to be taken lightly and I'll be the first to admit, I had friends who made bad choices in that respect.  I'll also admit there were many times when I could have made better ones.

Bottom line is drinking is not a right, it's a privilege and it's one that can wait until you're 21.

 

 

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