​The Drinking Age

When observing the world’s general minimum drinking age one will notice that the majority of countries have the age set at eighteen years of age.  Of course there are different factors that lead countries in their decision such as “cultural influences and collective societal values” which then “coincide with drinking patterns.” For example, Malta, which is a small island in the Mediterranean, has a minimum drinking age of sixteen.  Many Americans would balk at this idea, however one must understand the differing circumstances.  Malta is a very small island, which means the main choice in transportation is walking. This alleviates the concern of drinking and driving.  Another country of note would be France, which is known for its wine.  France has its minimum drinking age set at eighteen years of age, like the majority of countries.  If one looks at France in comparison to Malta once must realize that France is much larger than the small island of Malta, so of course drinking and driving is a bigger consideration when setting the minimum drinking age.  (Crecca) This is something that France and the United States have in common.  So why if France’s minimum drinking age set three years lower than the United States’?  What, in relation to alcohol, is handled differently?  In France the consumption of alcohol is closely tied to the Catholic faith, yet is also a social norm.  The European culture also “introduces their children to drinking in their own home under the supervision of their parents.” (Pritchard) This social norm could be explained as a couple of friends meeting at a pub for a pint or two to catch up on the events of the week. This situation in contrast for an American would be a couple of friends meeting up at a bar to relax after a long week and consume two to three times the amount of alcohol.  In other words, drinking alcohol in countries with a similar culture to that of France is not a taboo. It is just part of the society in which a group of people can go to the bar and have a few drinks without the need to get drunk.  In a study conducted by professors at the University of Otago, in New Zealand, results showed that a lowering in the drinking age actually decreased the frequency and quantity of drinking for twenty-nine percent of the target group, which consisted of sixty-nine women and forty men.  These men and women were twenty to twenty-five years of age and were enrolled at the University of Otago.  The study was conducted immediately before the change in the drinking age and three months after the change. (Halberstadt) So would lowering the United States’ minimum drinking age to eighteen solve the problems that exist?  Could an eighteen-year-old American be responsible enough to drink in moderation, instead of over indulging for the thrill of it?