#10

One regulation in the United States that can be arguably changed is the national drinking age. Throughout the nation the legal drinking age is 21 years old but in many other countries the legal age is 18 years old. I believe the legal drinking age should be changed because when a child turns 18 they are considered to be an “adult” so as an adult you should be allowed to buy alcohol. Another example is Germany. In Germany the legal drinking age is 16, kids are allowed to drink before they are able to get their driver’s licenses. I think this is important because kids learn about alcohol and its effects at a young age and learn how to make educated decisions with their drinking. Kids are also allowed to drink with their parents and parents can help teach them how to use alcohol safely which can prevent a lot of accidents that we commonly see in the United States when kids start going to college and drinking for the first time. Lowering the drinking age is also important because if kids are able to drink before they learn how to drive they are less inclined to continue drinking throughout their teen years because it loses the novelty effect of being “bad” or “dangerous”. This will lower the number of yearly DUI’s in younger adults because they know the side effects of drinking and the consequences it causes. A study conducted in 2018 concluded the United States has an average of 32% DUI rate while other countries like Germany have a low average rate of about 9% yearly rate. I believe changing the legal drinking age will save a lot of life in the future as education is more important than restrictions. 

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