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Speak Up! - View Question #21421 |
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Question: Why is the drinking age 21 in the U.S. but 18 in other countries?
Answer: Between 1970 and 1975 many states did lower the minimum drinking age to 18 -20. Then research was done on the impact the lower drinking age had on society (primarily traffic accidents & deaths). With that research, citizen advocacy groups started urging changes to the law that would raise the age one could drink legally. In 1984, the federal government enacted the Uniform Drinking Act which mandated reduced federal transportation funds to those states that did not raise the minimum legal drinking age to 21. Since then, all states raised their drinking age (AMA website 9/03/06.)
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| 1 thru 5 of 19 comments |
On 04/28/09
Alex from WA said:
I think the legal drinking age should be lowered back to 18 because if we are old enough to defend our country, live on our own, make the governments votes, and be selected for duty jury at age 18, then we should be old enough to drink alcohol as well.
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On 02/26/09
from AL said:
i think it should turn to 18 because there old enough to
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On 09/17/08
Nick from CA said:
The age limit is there to reflect the thousands of health reports that your liver isnt fully developed until the age of 21. I know some 21 year olds who should have their right to drink revoked. Its been a law for many years, its not going to change and just be glad they havent brought Prohibition back!
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On 09/10/08
Chris from OH said:
with much hype going around with the thought of lowering the age to 18, I feel it should stay at 21. Yes you can go to war and buy a long-gun and smoke cigarettes at 18 but I think it has more to do with maturity. If you want to drink and still under 21, there are still people that will do it. In high numbers actually. The resulting penalty won't be HUGE, but it will be a small smack on the wrists. I feel it should stay the same. Anyways.. the whole risk factor would be gone, and that's half the fun of drinking underage! Trust me I know!
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On 06/30/08
Rosie from Othr said:
I think this site hates foreigners.
Personally I think that 21 is a stupid age requirement for drinking and I am very happy that it is 18 here. As I am legally an adult at 18 I believe I should be entitled to everything a thirty year old is entitled to. Otherwise I am not being treated like an adult? It's ok for the government to call you an adult when they want money from you but they want to keep you from the benefits till you're 21? You can join the army and kill enemies at 18 but you can't have a drink? Geez, the USA government should get it's priorities straight.
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