In 1971 Congress raised the legal age to drink from 18 to 21.  Many people are okay with the increase of age but some are not.  Should the age of 21 remain or should it be lowered?

Drinking alcohol before the mind is fully matured could be potentially very dangerous to the adolescent mind.  A study in New Zealand, a country that has a drinking age of 18 found that 63% of car crashes involving alcohol were caused by people 16-18.

Being under the influence of alcohol can be very dangerous for anyone, but especially the group of people from the age of 19 and under.  A study in Kansas found that 59%  that graduated from high school have drank before they graduated.  Alcohol can harm many areas of the brain and slow down the process of learning.  Is that the best thing to be doing while at school?

Many may argue that taking away something drives them to drink even more.  In the early 1900’s Prohibition was passed, this cause people to resort to speakeasies, which lead to even more drinking in the United States.  This eventually led to the 21st amendment allowing alcohol.  This does not necessarily mean this is the cause for underage drinking.

Although there is a lot of reported underage drinking, this is not the reason.  A study proves that the main reason teenagers drink and do drugs is due to other people and the media.  Teens need to be shown that what they are doing is dangerous, and therefore should be punished.  The drinking age at 21 is good just the way it is.