Is Norway’s Minister Right?

The current minimal national drinking age in the United States is 21 years old, but why not 18? The MLDA (Minimal Legal Drinking Age) is bonkers and should be minimized to 18 given the statement introduced by Sylvi Listhaug, Norway’s public health minister. Her controversial statement was, “I think people should be allowed to smoke, drink and eat as much red meat as they like,” (Karasz 3).

Her statement was well caught by many critics as it was a extremely controversial statement. Although controversial, she had another statement to back it up, “The government believes that people have to take responsibility for their own life, but the government has to make sure that everyone can make healthy and informed choices.”. She states that were given the legal responsibility for our own lives when we hit a certain age, but the government needs to make sure citizens can make informed choices. In America we are taught and educated on alcohol consumption and the effects. If given the proper education on alcohol then that should mean when we turn adults we can make a educated decision whether to drink or not based on our responsibility. Given the fact that in America were considered adults at the age of 18, it’s absurd to restrict the consumption of alcohol based off this statement alone. I personally believe many encourage Ms.Listhaug’s beliefs, but being that it’s such a wild claim I don’t believe many want to take her side.

Young adults can make so many life changing decisions and choices when of age including some that are very dangerous. If the government wants young adults to be completely responsible for their lives like they say, then why not give them the freedom of alcohol consumption as long as they are educated in schools and universities on the topic. In a country that is given “freedom” as a label, the government surely doesn’t trust young adults with their personal decisions to consume what they may want. If the US had someone like Norway’s minister there could possibly be many thoughtful changes made like complete marijuana legalization or an off topic law like gambling. All the government must do is provide proper education and labels on these products and activities then trust the young adult citizens can make educated decisions on what they do.

No, clearly were not Norway and their laws don’t affect Americas at all, but why not trust her statements if she has proper information to back it up. Allowing this age to be minimized to 18 would be a great move for the country as it would also introduce more revenue for alcohol companies and many more. As teens are more educated and informed then ever it’s outrageous, to say the least, that new adults still aren’t being able to drink an alcoholic beverage given the proof of information supplied.