Many Americans have complained of the high drinking age, claiming that adults who can enlist to defend the country should be able to legally enjoy alcoholic beverages. Yet in most places, 21 remains the legal age. However, Wisconsin is looking to change that.
It is no surprise, considering that 24/7 Wall St. found Appleton to be the drunkest city in America, with six more Wisconsin cities in the top 10, according to the local Fox news. After all, most people associate Wisconsin with beer, cheese and the Packers. While many citizens may agree with this measure, how likely is the age to go down, and what will be the consequences if this legislation passes?
Background of the bill
The bill aims to lower the drinking age in Wisconsin to 19, low enough for most adults to enjoy, but not low enough to affect most high school students. A potential benefit is more time, energy and money for taking care of higher-priority crimes instead of enforcing drinking laws on college campuses.
The bill only went into circulation on November 8. Three Republican lawmakers are behind it, but it lacks the support of the Republican Assembly Speaker. In addition, it relies on the state not losing federal highway funding, a consequence for states who lower the drinking age. Regardless of these hurdles, approving and enacting new laws is a timely process.
Consequences of the bill
Whether or not you agree with the proposed age, there is no denying it could have negative consequences if it went into effect. One of these may be an increase in drunk driving and other related charges for those in the affected age group. If you have a college-aged child, such charges and especially a conviction can hurt his or her educational and life goals. No matter the legal age for drinking in Wisconsin, it is important to teach your children responsibility in consuming alcohol.
