Age and Wrinkle

Topic: At what age should drinking alcohol be legal?
Focus Question: Would lowering the alcohol drinking age in the United States lower alcohol abuse?
The United States has the highest drinking age in the world. Dr. Ruth Clifford Engs of Indiana University believe that the minimum drinking age of 21 in the United States is too high. Although the drinking age is 21 you can drink legally under many different circumstances.
In 1984 the National Minimum Drinking Age Act required all states to raise their minimum purchase and public possession of alcohol age up to 21. For the states that did not follow they faced a reduction in highway funds under the Federal Highway Aid Act. However this does not prohibit persons under the age of 21 from drinking. The term “public possession” does not apply to possession of the following:
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• Established religious purpose, when accompanied by a legal guardian age 21 or older
• Medical purposes
• Private clubs or establishments
• In the course of lawful employment by a duty licenses manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer
Source #2: Johnson, Alex. “Debate on Lower Drinking Age Bubbling Up”. MSNBC. 14, Aug, 2007.
Available: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20249460/
A quiet movement has been made to lower the legal drinking age to 18. It is believed that if you can fight and vote for you country you should be able to enjoy a beer or two.
The proposal, which is subject of a national petition drive by the National Youth Rights Association, has been studied in a handful of states in the last few years. The states include Florida, Wisconsin, Vermont and Missouri where many supporters are pushing a ballot initiative.
People against the idea of raising the drinking age point out that there has been a reported rise in binge drinking as teenagers turn to...