Junior Theme: Why is the Drinking Age in the United States 21 Years Old?

Abstract
Underage drinking is becoming ever more popular among the youth of America. In my high school alone the average percent of underage binge drinkers is more than double the national average of 14%. This taboo custom is viewed as a rite of passage among teenagers and is influenced by depictions of underage drinking in the media. The ever growing complaints of a higher drinking age than Europe seem to plague my school's hallways. I decided to further investigate why the United States’ alcohol consumption laws are so different from any other country. 

Reflection
I have found this topic to be very important in today’s society especially with the legalization of marijuana in more states and the increased use of vaping as they have made substance abuse even more prevalent in today’s society. I was exceptionally surprised when I learned of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which required each state to raise the drinking age from 18 to 21 as a condition of receiving state highway funds. Upon further thought of this act I suddenly realized the logic behind it. The incorporation of automobiles in American society is so different than anywhere else. In Europe, people rely on other forms of transportation, like bikes, to get around short distances, but in the United States people more commonly use cars on a daily basis. This connection that I discovered explains one reason why the US has different laws placed on alcohol than Europe as safety concerns over drunk driving become more prevalent in American culture with the increase of automobile use. I believe that my overall opinion has stayed the same in that I personally do not believe drinking is too dangerous, but the law should definitely be followed. If it is legal for you to drink in another country then I would feel no judgement towards you, but if it is illegal then it is important for the law to be followed. I find myself to be most passionate and interested in the neurological effects of alcohol. In my research I have found that studies have proven brain development to extend as long as 25 years, but I have also found studies that prove alcohol damages the brain. So then shouldn’t the drinking age be raised for the safety of Americans? I have found questions like these to really interest me and although I may not have found a set answer as to why these inconsistencies appear, I have found much more understanding on my topic. I think I was most passionate about just asking new questions and learning new ways to think and look at society and its values. I believe that this project has opened more opportunities for me to explore the cultural aspects and values of every country. I believe each country is unique and has different cultural and societal values. Just looking at a country’s laws can help you determine what is valued in its culture.

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