The National Minimum Legal Drinking Age Act of 1984 was passed on July 17th of 1984. This act prohibits the consumption, purchase and distribution of alcohol unless one is 21 years of age or older. The United States is one of twelve countries that have a minimum drinking age of 21. To put this into perspective, this beautiful world is home to 190 recognized countries, it seems that either the rest of the world is missing out on something or the opposite is true. The question of whether or not to lower the national minimum legal drinking age has been debated nearly since it came to be in 1984. The states under the federal government's jurisdiction passed this bill at the time so that they would not lose eight percent of their highway funds.
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“Most of these reported behaviors showed little change until AFTER the 21 year old law in 1987,” (Engs). Two-thirds of people between 18 and 21 years of age admit to binge drinking within the past month. Twenty percent show all signs of alcohol use disorder (in other words, alcoholism),” (Tucker). Needless to say that the law will not stop them instead, for some students it fuels them, “the flaunting of the current laws is readily seen among university students. Those under the age of 21 are more likely to be heavy -- sometimes called "binge" -- drinkers (consuming over 5 drinks at least once a week),” (Engs). It seems almost laughable and childlike however, it is what our youth has come to, it is common knowledge that the vast majority teenagers rebel whether is is needed or not. This can be seen in the act of alcohol consumption. “Many people this age drink anyway, in spite of the law, and that if younger people were allowed to drink they would be less rebellious and secretive and more responsible,”(“The Legal Drinking Age: 18, 21, or 25?”, 2016). “22% of all students under 21 compared to 18% over 21 years of age are heavy drinkers. Among drinkers only, 32% of under age compared to 24% of legal age are heavy drinkers,” (Engs). However, it has been theorized, “if the drinking age were to be lowered to 18, young people would perhaps feel less compelled to drink in secret and to binge while doing so,”(“The Legal Drinking Age: 18, 21, or 25?”, 2016). Currently, “drinking by these youth is seen as an enticing "forbidden fruit," a "badge of rebellion against authority" and a symbol of "adulthood," (Engs 2014). So, it should come to no surprise that drinking is taken to such extremes. Not only that, but in order to rebel against the man, “This can also lower the high rate of non-compliance with MLDA
“Most of these reported behaviors showed little change until AFTER the 21 year old law in 1987,” (Engs). Two-thirds of people between 18 and 21 years of age admit to binge drinking within the past month. Twenty percent show all signs of alcohol use disorder (in other words, alcoholism),” (Tucker). Needless to say that the law will not stop them instead, for some students it fuels them, “the flaunting of the current laws is readily seen among university students. Those under the age of 21 are more likely to be heavy -- sometimes called "binge" -- drinkers (consuming over 5 drinks at least once a week),” (Engs). It seems almost laughable and childlike however, it is what our youth has come to, it is common knowledge that the vast majority teenagers rebel whether is is needed or not. This can be seen in the act of alcohol consumption. “Many people this age drink anyway, in spite of the law, and that if younger people were allowed to drink they would be less rebellious and secretive and more responsible,”(“The Legal Drinking Age: 18, 21, or 25?”, 2016). “22% of all students under 21 compared to 18% over 21 years of age are heavy drinkers. Among drinkers only, 32% of under age compared to 24% of legal age are heavy drinkers,” (Engs). However, it has been theorized, “if the drinking age were to be lowered to 18, young people would perhaps feel less compelled to drink in secret and to binge while doing so,”(“The Legal Drinking Age: 18, 21, or 25?”, 2016). Currently, “drinking by these youth is seen as an enticing "forbidden fruit," a "badge of rebellion against authority" and a symbol of "adulthood," (Engs 2014). So, it should come to no surprise that drinking is taken to such extremes. Not only that, but in order to rebel against the man, “This can also lower the high rate of non-compliance with MLDA