Lower the legal drinking age from 21 to 18 In the United States, the legal drinking age, with a few exceptions, is 21; this should be changed from 21 to 18. This would help high school and college students who typically commit the act of underage drinking anyway avoid long-lasting legal repercussions. This would also eliminate the excitement that many underage drinkers feel as it would now be legal for many. This would help reduce temptation and encourage today's youth to drink in a safer and more responsible environment as it would be considered a normal activity and would no longer need to be done in secret. While this issue may not seem particularly important, it often sparks controversy and debate among advocates on both sides of the issue. Many of those who oppose lowering the legal drinking age to anyone 18 or older often argue that maintaining alcohol consumption limits irresponsible drinking by young people. However, those who support lowering the drinking age propose exactly the opposite. This would mean that lowering the drinking age encourages younger drinkers to consume alcohol in an open environment where they are free from punishment and do not need to be pressured into breaking other laws and even considering some laws in general with lack of respect since they have already broken one. . (Eng) Furthermore, as stated by many supporters of lowering the legal drinking age, Bagby 2 legal drinking age laws are generally considered ineffective in actually preventing underage drinking. Along with the argument that the minimum legal drinking age helps prevent underage drinking. alcohol consumption among young people, many of those who do not favor lowering the legal limits of the world's countries, especially those in Europe, have largely been successful in lowering the drinking age. This only reinforces the concept that lowering the minimum legal drinking age would better help integrate responsible alcohol consumption into society with young adults more seamlessly and responsibly than is currently the case in the United States. In conclusion, the minimum legal age for drinking alcohol in the United States should be lowered to 18. This age has already proven to be effective on a global scale and could definitely be implemented into American culture. If this topic were raised on a broader level, such as state or preferably federal legislation, then Bagby 5 progress could definitely be made on this issue. Lowering the legal drinking age to 18 could have an overall positive effect on the United States as a whole.