Editorial

Teenagers can’t be trusted. After all, they are an impulsive, brash group of adolescents who desire the privileges of adulthood while simultaneously maintaining a carefree lifestyle.

The irony exists in the fact that, upon reaching 18 years of age, teenagers, or rather, new young adults, suddenly gain a slew of rights hitherto withheld from them; an eighteen year old can purchase tobacco, legally sign documents, vote for president, join the military and open his or her own bank account, all without parental consent. Yet, despite these rights bestowed upon teens, eighteen year olds are still withheld from a notable privilege – drinking alcohol. In fact, the United States is one of only seven countries to impose such a high drinking age.

Of course, the age limit isn’t without its reasons – evidence indicates that the human brain is not fully mature until almost 20 years of age, and excessive amounts of alcohol consumption can stunt proper brain growth. In addition, a thousand-some teenage drunk-driving accidents can be averted if better regulation of alcohol is enforced.

But, why just alcohol? Of course driving while inebriated is hazardous, but then again, so is smoking, skydiving and purchasing guns, all of which are rights granted to 18 year olds.

Moreover, America is known for its extremely prevalent alcohol-based culture. Anyone who watches the Super Bowl is subject to a variety of ads depicting the glamorous lifestyle led by those who hold a bottle of that magical elixir, beer.

Furthermore, there is psychology to consider–teens are attracted to the thrill that stems from doing something illegal, something dangerous. Treating alcohol as a “forbidden fruit” causes underage drinkers to develop a desire to experience for themselves a product that is so fastidiously kept out of their reach; in fact, according to a study published by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, viewing someone or something as forbidden only serves to make that person or thing instantly more desirable.

What’s more, setting an age limit on drinking does not and will not prevent those under 21 from seeking alcoholic beverages. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, there are 10.8 million underage drinkers in the United States, which equates to over three percent of the American population, and by the twelfth grade, about 75 percent of students have illegally consumed alcohol at some point in their lifetimes. These facts reveal the blunt truth: just because laws exist to deter underage drinking, teenagers will not be stopped from pursuing ways to indulge in it nonetheless.

Therefore, teaching those under 21 the dangers of drinking would be much more practical than restricting their access to alcohol altogether. The best example of teaching young adults how to drink responsibly can be found in Europe, where the drinking age limit is set at no higher than 18 (with Finland as an exception) and where drinking is integrated into the culture. As a result, statistics compiled by Thomas S. Dee and William N. Evans found that although the United States prevents adults from drinking until they are 21, its “rate of traffic accidents and fatalities in the 1980s decreased less than that of European countries whose legal drinking ages are lower than 21.”

Statistics don’t lie: because Europeans properly teach their children the harmful effects of alcohol instead of just keeping the substance itself locked away, their children grow up to be more responsible drinkers than Americans.

At The Pen, we in no way condone law-breaking. The facts, however, indicate that the legal drinking age only increases the appeal of illegal drinking. Just as a child will reach for the chocolate bar locked away in the cupboard, so too will teenagers seek out the thrill of new experiences. Statistics show that the greater majority of American teens are indeed drinking in complete disregard to the laws that exist to prevent them from doing so. At the same time, nations in Europe that enforce a lower drinking age than the U.S. report better success in dealing with alcohol abuse. Ultimately, if 18-year-olds are going to be considered legal adults, they should be given all rights befitting an adult.