Excellence in First-Year Writing 2010/2011

the current MLPA in the United States. With so many illegal drinkers, it is evident that the current laws are not doing their job of controlling consumption.

Not only does a high percentage of America’s youth drink alcohol illegally, but the fact that alcohol is illegal gives rise to a “forbidden fruit” effect for underage drinkers and can even make them think it is okay to break other laws. Because alcohol is “forbidden,” these young adults will often drink merely to look “cool” in front of peers, and this can lead to an increase in illegal alcohol use with the current MLPA of 21. Also, because underage drinkers may have trouble obtaining alcohol on short notice, they often try to stock up with an excessive supply for the upcoming weeks to ensure they do not run out. When the first weekend arrives, and there is a plethora of alcohol available, underage drinkers frequently end up binge drinking, whether they originally planned to or not (Yu 18-19). In a recent national survey of college students, 41 percent reported binge drinking in the last two weeks, and the same was true for 28 percent of high school seniors (Hingson 52). And because so many minors are becoming accustomed to drinking heavily even though it is illegal, some acquire the mindset that it is okay to break other laws as well. This can spark the beginning of an increasingly severe pattern of illegal behavior (Wolfson 432). As a result, the illegal status of alcohol for those under the MLPA of 21 increases its desirability and is directly correlated to other illegal behaviors.

Additionally, the abrupt transition from complete abstinence of alcohol to immense freedom at the age of 21 disenfranchises parents and restrains them from teaching their children to drink responsibly (Balko 11). Parents play a vital role in the upbringing of children, teaching their kids how to be safe and responsible in many situations. However, parents have no legal way to teach their kids the mature and responsible consumption of alcohol under today’s laws. By the time people are allowed to drink, at age 21, they are often beyond the reach of parental supervision because they have either already Excellence in First-Year Writing 2011 23