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Argument: 18-year-olds are trusted with many things; why not drinking?

Issue Report: Lowering US drinking age from 21 to 18

Support

“Lower the U.S. Legal Drinking Age to 18”. Online Petition – To: College Students and all who wish to lower the legal drinking age
The current United States legal drinking age is 21. Many United States citizens disagree with this age. Many believe that the age to legally be able to purchase, consume or possess alcohol should be 18. A United States Citizen is allowed to vote when they are 18 years of age. 18 year old males are forced to join the Selective Service, for possible drafting. This means that 18-year old males can go to war. At age 18, a citizen is also inclined to jury duty. So, an 18-year old is given the responsibilities of voting, being selected for jury duty, and possibly being drafted for war. If an 18-year old citizen is to be given these responsibilities, why is the legal drinking age 21? Does the U.S. Government not trust those of us under 21? They trust us with their votes, yet they cannot treat us like full adults for another 3 years!

“Where responsibility begins”. The Lantern, Ohio State University. 16 Feb. 2007 – We aren’t breaking new ground when we say that in comparison to the liberties 18- to 20-year olds have, the ability to purchase alcohol is a ridiculous exclusion. We can get addicted to cigarettes and drive cars. We can voluntarily go to war, or be sent against our will. We choose our colleges and/or careers and can have sex with just about whoever we want.

We are, for all intents and purposes except one, treated as and considered to be adults. When we commit crimes, we are tried as such.