2008 Woodie Awards
Lowering the drinking age to 18 could effect students' drinking habits
Allan Lewis
Issue date: 8/26/08 Section: News
Binge drinking, according to Kronenberg, is something a lower age limit would partially eliminate, as is the case in many countries with less stringent policies on alcohol.
"We see a much healthier overall relationship in other countries when it comes to alcohol," Kronenberg said. "Alcohol is consumed on a more social basis in moderation instead of with intoxication as the goal."
Kronenberg said while the per-capita alcohol consumption is higher in most European countries, issues with excessive consumption are more problematic in the U.S.
Brittany Daly, a freshman business management major, said lowering the age limit could help minors.
"My parents would tell me 21 is a good age, but 18 would be fine," Daly said. "Everyone drinks anyways, so they are just hurting themselves trying to sneak around."
Clegg said if the drinking age would change to 18, the dynamic in high schools would change.
"It would cause a lot of problems because so many high school seniors are 18," Clegg said. "It would open up a whole new world of underage drinking, as it would only go younger and younger."
The bar scene getting younger is something senior mass communications major Melissa Sherman said was a disadvantage to a decreased drinking age.
'I think the current drinking age keeps the right people in the bar; people who can hold their liquor," Sherman said.
The effort being put forth by Choose Responsibility has obtained one of its goals by sparking a national debate on the drinking age.
"For too long only one side has really had a voice," Kronenberg said. "We are trying to be the motivating force, and we feel the attention has moved us much closer at getting our goals realized."
"We see a much healthier overall relationship in other countries when it comes to alcohol," Kronenberg said. "Alcohol is consumed on a more social basis in moderation instead of with intoxication as the goal."
Kronenberg said while the per-capita alcohol consumption is higher in most European countries, issues with excessive consumption are more problematic in the U.S.
Brittany Daly, a freshman business management major, said lowering the age limit could help minors.
"My parents would tell me 21 is a good age, but 18 would be fine," Daly said. "Everyone drinks anyways, so they are just hurting themselves trying to sneak around."
Clegg said if the drinking age would change to 18, the dynamic in high schools would change.
"It would cause a lot of problems because so many high school seniors are 18," Clegg said. "It would open up a whole new world of underage drinking, as it would only go younger and younger."
The bar scene getting younger is something senior mass communications major Melissa Sherman said was a disadvantage to a decreased drinking age.
'I think the current drinking age keeps the right people in the bar; people who can hold their liquor," Sherman said.
The effort being put forth by Choose Responsibility has obtained one of its goals by sparking a national debate on the drinking age.
"For too long only one side has really had a voice," Kronenberg said. "We are trying to be the motivating force, and we feel the attention has moved us much closer at getting our goals realized."
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