American lawmakers, primarily during the Twentieth Century, implemented civic and legal age thresholds on drinking, driving, voting, and serving in the armed forces. This is not uncommon for governments to do; however, the quirk within American policy is that these limits are not uniform. You can drive at 16, vote and serve in the military at 18, yet you cannot drink alcohol until you are 21. This has drawn calls to equalize the age restrictions, yet each decision regarding age is backed up by clear reasoning.

   There are advocates for both an increase in the minimum driving age, as well as a decrease; however, 16 is an adequate balance. According to an article about young drivers, “In 1921, Connecticut reduced the age from 18 to 16 to hold a license. The first version of graduated licensing laws were also introduced which laid the foundation for many of the licensing laws that states have today” (goswerve.com). While it is clear that teen drivers are more dangerous on the road than more experienced drivers, according to an article about altering the driving age, “Raising the driving age would hinder our youth’s ability to transform into responsible young adults” (lbcommuter.com). With most Americans transitioning to lives on their own around 18 years of age, having the opportunity to learn to drive and gain comfort on the roads before leaving their parents’ supervision is crucial.

      The age of 18 marks a transition towards personal freedom and responsibility. Around age 18, most Americans begin meeting income thresholds requiring them to pay income tax. If Americans are expected to fund the government, they should also have the right to influence its direction. According to an article about young voters, “Young voters’ diversity, fresh perspectives, and status as the future leaders of our nation make their voices critical in shaping our nation’s future. Mobilizing them to vote empowers them to use these fresh approaches to introduce innovative solutions into our democracy” (lwv.org). Raising the voting age would hurt American democracy.

   The legal age of adulthood in America begins at 18, allowing individuals to vote and enlist in the military. Logically, the voting age and enlisting age are the same; if you can be sent into war, you must be able to have a say about those who are sending you. There are many benefits for 18 year olds who join the military. They gain leadership abilities, specialized training, a guaranteed paycheck, and financial assistance for education, as well as health and dental care (asvabprogram.com). Increasing the minimum age to serve would affect thousands of young adults and remove a stable career path for teens who find the military to be their best choice.

     In American society, 25-year-olds tend to be considerably more mature and responsible than teenagers or adults in their early twenties. While it is impossible to curb underage drinking completely, delaying the onset of underage drinking from the mid-teens to their early twenties has substantial benefits. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “The earlier people start drinking alcohol, the more likely they are to experience a measurable impact on cognitive functions, memory” (niaaa.nih.gov).

   While under the influence, it is common for individuals to make rapid and irrational decisions. The prefrontal cortex, which does not fully develop until around age 25, is the part of the brain responsible for decision-making. According to an article on alcohol abuse, “The consequences of alcohol use can be acute and immediate outcomes of a single episode of alcohol-impaired functioning, such as accidental death and injury, or they can be the accumulated and diverse effects of a chronic pattern of drinking, such as poor school performance and fractured relationships secondary to alcohol abuse and addiction” (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

   While uniformity across the age thresholds may be an appealing idea to some, and while it may seem ridiculous that a person can fight in a war before legally drinking, these guidelines were adapted with reason. Enlisting in the military is much more than fighting in war; it provides young adults with a stable income and a path forward in life. Voting and driving are crucial steps in transitioning to adulthood. Drinking alcohol can have serious consequences and maturity is needed for consumption. Maintaining and adhering to these guidelines will help foster a safe future for the nation.