Eighteen is the age that Americans are legally adults. We get to vote, smoke cigarettes (which is bad for you and will eventually kill you), and join the military (which can be bad for you and kill you.) We also can be charged as an adult for committing crimes. That is great unless you get charged with M.I.P.(minor in possession of alcohol). That is the ultimate oxymoron and slap in the face to those legally considered adults. Why do we have to be 21 to drink alcohol if we are adults at 18? Isn't the choice to drink an adult decision? More M.I.P.s are issued to those between 18 and 20 than any other age group. These young adults have a permanent criminal record for something that should be on a juvenile record. Why can't 18 be the magic age for everything. It would decrease the amount of "adults" charged with underage drinking for one thing. It would also prove that they are adult enough to make the right decisions. Law enforcement would be used for better things than to hassle an 18, 19, or 20 year old for underage drinking. Let them face the consequences for real crimes like D.U.I. Even though the majority of D.U.I. cases are people that are middle aged. I know I'm older than 18 (37 this June) but I feel that it would be better to let these kids become true adults.
'nuff said.