Many television shows for teens, depict and glorify underage drinking, which can be defined as consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21. As a 20 year old, I would in some ways greatly enjoy the drinking age to be lowered. I listen to my peers all the time discuss how spectacular it would be if we could drink, (legally that is). The debate on lowering the drinking age surrounds itself with passion resulting in heated arguments from several different generations. “Underagers” would like to see this law lowered much more than their parents or grandparents. I have weighed various pros and cons, and the negative outweighs the positive. I believe that the legal drinking age of 21 across the U.S. is quite suitable for today’s society.

Looking at the law in most states, it is considered a civil infarction for a minor to be in possession of alcohol and the result can be a fine up to $500; transportation of alcohol by a minor can also result in a fine. Penalties are quite a bit harsher for adults providing alcohol to a minor and can result in a fine or even jail time. If anything, I would like to see even harsher penalties for underage drinking.

Those who want the drinking age lowered do indeed have some appealing arguments which, for the most part make sense, but are not nearly as plausible as the well researched arguments presented by those opposed to lowering the drinking age.

One of the reasons for having laws, creating laws, and enforcing laws is to keep people safe and having the drinking age set at 21 helps accomplish safety not only for minors, but for the people around them as well.

Author's Note: This article is one of several written by the author several years ago for a Business Law class. The author is now 23 years old but still believes that 21 is a suitable age in which a person can begin to legally and responsibly purchase, transport and consume alcohol.