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Drinking Learner Permits or Licenses for Adults Under Age 21 (Underage Persons)

“Should the Drinking Age be Lowered?” asked a front-page story in Parade, the Sunday newspaper supplement. The next day, MSNBC again raised the question, which focused there on issuing drinking learner or learning permits to legal adults age 18, 19, and 20.

MSNBC asked if it’s fair that adults go to war in Iraq and  can be killed there but they can’t enjoy an alcoholic beverage. Opponents did not respond to that important moral question. Many people see the issue as one of age discrimination and the violation of civil and human rights.

MSNBC reported that lowering the minimum legal drinking age “is the subject of a national petition drive by the National Youth Rights Association, has been studied in a handful of states in recent years, including Florida, Wisconsin, Vermont and Missouri, where supporters are pushing a ballot initiative.”

It was argued that raising the drinking age to 21 was done with the best of intentions but that it has had the worst of consequences. Like National Prohibition, the law has driven youthful drinking underground, where it lacks social control, tends to become excessive, and sometimes very dangerous to life and health, according to proponents.

Dr. John McCardell, President Emeritus of Middlebury College, proposed that legal adults who have not been convicted of illegally drinking before reaching adulthood at age 18 be permitted to obtain drinking learner permits. These permits, he argued, would be similar to driving learner permits and would promote responsible consumption and discourage irresponsible consumption of alcoholic beverages.

A non-scientific poll of 163,576 respondents conducted by MSNBC after the broadcasts asked the question “Should states lower the drinking age to 18?”

No, I think that could lead to a rise in drinking problems and car accidents.
30% XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yes, if people are old enough to serve in the military, they’re old enough to drink.
56% XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yes, but only if they obtain a “drinking license” by taking mandatory alcohol       education classes.
12% XXXXXXX

I don’t know
1.3% X

Dr. McCardell has started Choose Responsibility, which advocates the issuance of drinking learners permit in addition to other innovative programs to reduce the abuse of alcohol among young people.

 

References:
  • Flynn, Sean. Should the drinking age be lowered?: Underage Drinking is a dangerous problem. Some experts are taking a new look at what to do. Parade, August 12, 2007, pp. 4-5.;
  • Johnson, Alex. Debate on lower drinking age bubbling up: Proponents say current restriction drives teen alcohol use underground. MSNBC.com, August 14, 2007 (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20249460/).

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