A way to monitor drinking, if the U.S. were to lower the drinking age?

Question

I have a debate for my history class. My side is,"No, for lowering the drining age." They said(my opponents), that they should lower the driking age but just monitor it. How would they monitor it? Thank you.

Answer 1

How do you properly monitor it? Limit the amount of alcohol each person purchases it? That would be a logistical nightmare. What if someone lost or stole someone ID? A thief could by twice as much or the person who lost it could be in trouble for excessive purchases. With 6 million 18 to 21 year old in the US, it would be impossible to monitor effectively.

A flag set for so many number of purchases? No, as they don't do that now for 21 + year-olds. And all of us over 21 don't need another "Big Brother" watching our alcohol purchases.

Pros for not lowering the drinking age:

Just because you are 18 and have many new legal rights and responsibilities does not mean you are mature enough to handle alcohol consumption. Going to vote is a once-in-a-while thing while drinking can be anytime. We have a history of extended adolescence in the U.S. And younger people don't put the risks into proper perspective.

There are very few 21 year-old HS seniors, but many 18 year-old ones. Access for underage consumption would skyrocket. Sure kids can get it now, but not as easily. Some enterprising 18 year old could set up a HS parking lot liquor store.

And states are required by the Federal govt. to keep the drinking age at 21 or risk losing Federal highway money for road improvement.

Answer 2

Check IDs! But monitoring its effects could be many things like accident statistics and death rates and such. On a side note the US is the only country in the world with a drinking age of 21.

Answer 3

i say yea to lowering it because, people are going to drink, whether they're old enough or not, so you might aswell let them do it without being thrown in jail