When did they change the drinking age to 21?
Minimum drinking age stands at 18 in most parts of the world; it is 21 in the US.
The laws prohibit anyone below this age to purchase, publicly possess or consume alcohol.
There has been a lot of discussion about this.
There are those who say that the age should be lowered to 18 while others are comfortable with the current laws.
So, when did they change the drinking age to 21?
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The National Minimum Drinking age Act of 1984
The congress passed the laws that changed the minimum drinking age to 21 in July 1984.
The punishment for states that did not adhere to these new laws was a ten percent reduction in the Federal Highway Funding.
Since most states highly depend on this funding, they had no option but to comply.
Even those that were openly and vocally against the laws found themselves in a difficult spot and so, they gave into the pressure.
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Persistent arguments
Since the enactment of these laws, there have been persistent arguments between those who are against it and those who are pro against it.
Most notable, those against the laws insist that illegalizing alcohol for an adult above 18 years gives it a taboo allure.
They say that it makes it look like a sin or something close to it and that even those above 21 are perceived to be indulging in an unacceptable behavior when they take alcohol.
These arguments have time and again found their way into the courts and the legislative houses.
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The highest drinking age in the world
One of the most notable things about the 21 age limit is that besides America, only seven other countries have a limit such high.
This has always raised questions from Americans as to why they should be among the highest in the world yet they are regarded as the most developed and civilized nations.
Many citizens have questions why they should lead the world in many aspects yet the world seems to lead them when it comes to the drinking age limit.
One thing that is for sure is that regulating the drinking age helps to improve the lives of people.
However, it is the responsibility and individual behavior of every individual that determines the success of such regulations.