Here’s Why It’s Time to Lower the Drinking Age to 18:

Adults Should Get Adult Rights: At 18, you can serve your country, vote for the president, and decide your own healthcare. But the second you want a beer? Sorry, kiddo, that’s off-limits until you hit 21. Makes sense, right?

Teens Are Drinking Anyway (Shh): Newsflash: 18-year-olds are drinking—sneaking around, hiding it in red Solo cups, and making terrible decisions. If we let them drink legally, we can teach them how to do it responsibly, like adults. Less binge-drinking, more being responsible while holding a glass of wine.

Everyone Else Is Doing It: Most countries have a legal drinking age of 18. They’re not all turning into a nation of reckless drunks. In fact, they often have a healthier relationship with alcohol because it’s not “forbidden fruit.”

Public Health Could Improve: Studies suggest that lowering the drinking age actually reduces the rates of binge drinking. How? Well, if drinking is more normalized and legal at 18, it’s no longer this big “forbidden fruit” that everyone craves. Responsible drinking becomes part of a culture instead of a secret rebellion. Less binge drinking, fewer alcohol-related accidents, and more educated drinkers.