Lowering the drinking age
A group of college presidents says pushing the limit to age 21 encouraged binge drinking.
What happened
College presidents at more than 100 schools signed a letter calling for lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, saying that the higher cut-off had encouraged a culture of clandestine binge-drinking. "Twenty-one is not working," says the group's statement, signed by presidents from prominent colleges such as Dartmouth, Duke and Syracuse. (Newsday)
What the commentators said
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It’s clear on any campus that students find ways to get their hands on alcohol, said Steve Chapman in the Chicago Tribune’s Minority of One blog, but setting the drinking age at 21 has had a major impact. Alcohol-related traffic deaths have dropped in the last quarter century, and “they've dropped most among those under the age of 21.”
Still, it’s hard to quibble with the educators’ logic, said Mike Hashimoto in The Dallas Morning News’ Opinion blog. They say kids drink whether it’s legal or illegal, and forcing them to do it in secret can be dangerous. And if adults under 21 can vote, sign contracts, serve on juries, and enlist in the military, shouldn’t they be allowed to have a beer?
No, said Barb Shelly in the Kansas City Star’s Midwest Voices blog. “Life is unfair that way.” Besides, young adults won’t drink less at a keg party because it’s legal. Surely the nation’s brightest college presidents can come up with a better way to fight binge drinking than telling kids to go ahead and drink.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Foreigners in Spain facing a 100% tax on homes as the country battles a housing crisis
Under the Radar The goal is to provide 'more housing, better regulation and greater aid,' said Spain's prime minister
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Codeword: January 22, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: January 22, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published