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The legal drinking age in the United States has been a controversial topic for several decades. In the United States, the drinking age varies from state to state, but the legal drinking age nationally is 21. The history of the drinking age in the United States is one of change and debate. This essay will examine the history of the drinking age in the United States, the reasons behind changes in the law, and the impact that these changes have had.
The drinking age in the United States has not always been 21. During colonial times, drinking was a part of daily life, and there were no laws regulating the consumption of alcohol.
However, as the country became more urbanized in the late 1800s, concerns about alcohol abuse and public health began to emerge, and many states began to pass laws regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol. By the early 1900s, many states had established minimum drinking ages ranging from 18 to 21.
In 1971, the 26th Amendment was ratified, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. This led to a push to lower the drinking age as well, with advocates arguing that if 18-year-olds were old enough to vote and fight in wars, they were old enough to drink.
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By the mid-1970s, 29 states had lowered their drinking age to 18, while 14 others had lowered it to 19 or 20.
However, concerns about alcohol-related accidents and deaths among young people began to increase, and in 1984, the federal government passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act. This law required states to raise their drinking age to 21 or lose a portion of their federal highway funding.
By 1988, all 50 states had raised their drinking age to 21.
The reasons behind changes in the drinking age have varied over time. In the early 1900s, concerns about alcohol abuse and public health were the primary drivers behind the establishment of the minimum drinking age. In the 1970s, the push to lower the drinking age was primarily driven by the argument that 18-year-olds were old enough to vote and fight in wars and therefore should be allowed to drink. However, concerns about alcohol-related accidents and deaths among young people were the primary drivers behind the increase in the drinking age to 21 in the 1980s.
Research has shown that raising the drinking age to 21 has been effective in reducing alcohol-related accidents and deaths among young people. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities among 16- to 20-year-olds decreased by 60% between 1982 and 2018. Studies have also shown that raising the drinking age to 21 has led to a reduction in other negative outcomes associated with alcohol, such as alcohol-related violence, unplanned pregnancies, and academic problems.
The impact of changes in the drinking age has been significant. The establishment of the minimum drinking age in the early 1900s helped to reduce alcohol abuse and improve public health. The lowering of the drinking age in the 1970s led to increased alcohol-related accidents and deaths among young people. The increase in the drinking age to 21 in the 1980s has been effective in reducing alcohol-related accidents and deaths among young people and has had other positive outcomes, such as a reduction in alcohol-related violence and academic problems.
However, there are also negative consequences associated with the drinking age being set at 21. One of the main criticisms is that it encourages underage drinking and binge drinking. Young people may feel that they are being unfairly restricted and may engage in risky behavior.
History of establishing the drinking age in the United States. (2023, Apr 26). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/history-of-establishing-the-drinking-age-in-the-united-states-essay
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