The Legal Age to Purchase Alcohol in the United States
The legal age to purchase alcohol in the United States is 21. This is a federal law that applies to all states and territories. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. In some states, it is legal for people under the age of 21 to purchase alcohol with the permission of their parents or guardians. In other states, it is legal for people under the age of 21 to purchase alcohol for religious purposes.
The History of the Legal Drinking Age in the United States
The legal drinking age in the United States has changed several times over the years. In 1970, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommended that all states lower the legal drinking age to 18. This recommendation was based on a study that found that the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities among young people had increased since the legal drinking age was raised to 21 in 1968.
However, many states did not follow the NHTSA’s recommendation. In 1984, the NHTSA estimated that only 17 states had a legal drinking age of 18. In 1988, Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which required all states to raise their legal drinking age to 21. This law was passed in response to a study that found that the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities among young people had decreased since the legal drinking age was raised to 21.
The Arguments for and Against Lowering the Legal Drinking Age
There are a number of arguments in favor of lowering the legal drinking age. One argument is that it would reduce the number of underage drinking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 10% of high school students drink alcohol before the age of 21. Lowering the legal drinking age would make it easier for these students to buy alcohol legally. This could lead to a decrease in the number of underage drinking parties, which are often associated with underage drinking.
Another argument in favor of lowering the legal drinking age is that it would reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities among young people. The NHTSA estimates that alcohol-related traffic fatalities among young people have decreased since the legal drinking age was raised to 21. However, it is important to note that there are a number of other factors that have contributed to this decrease, such as increased enforcement of drunk driving laws and the use of ignition interlock devices.
There are also a number of arguments against lowering the legal drinking age. One argument is that it would lead to an increase in alcohol-related problems among young people. The CDC estimates that alcohol is a contributing factor in approximately 4,300 deaths among people aged 15-24 each year. Lowering the legal drinking age could lead to an increase in these deaths.
Another argument against lowering the legal drinking age is that it would send the wrong message to young people. The current legal drinking age of 21 sends the message that alcohol is a dangerous substance that should not be used by young people. Lowering the legal drinking age would send the message that alcohol is a relatively harmless substance that can be used by young people without serious consequences.
The Future of the Legal Drinking Age in the United States
It is unclear what the future holds for the legal drinking age in the United States. There is no consensus on whether the legal drinking age should be lowered, raised, or kept the same. However, it is likely that the debate over the legal drinking age will continue for many years to come.
Additional Resources
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- The National Minimum Drinking Age Act
FAQs
1. What is the legal drinking age in the United States?
The legal drinking age in the United States is 21.
2. Why was the legal drinking age raised to 21?
The legal drinking age was raised to 21 in 1988 in response to a study that found that the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities among young people had decreased since the legal drinking age was raised to 21.
3. Are there any exceptions to the legal drinking age?
Yes, there are some exceptions to the legal drinking age. In some states, it is legal for people under the age of 21 to purchase alcohol with the permission of their parents or guardians. In other states, it is legal for people under the age of 21 to purchase alcohol for religious purposes.
4. What are the arguments in favor of lowering the legal drinking age?
There are a number of arguments in favor of lowering the legal drinking age. One argument is that it would reduce the number of underage drinking. Another argument is that it would reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities among young people.
5. What are the arguments against lowering the legal drinking age?
There are also a number of arguments against lowering the legal drinking age. One argument is that it would lead to an increase in alcohol-related problems among young people. Another argument is that it would send the wrong message to young people.
6. What is the future of the legal drinking age in the United States?
It is unclear what the future holds for the legal drinking age in the United States. There is no consensus on whether the legal drinking age should be lowered, raised, or kept the same. However, it is likely that the debate over the legal drinking age will continue for many years to come.
