Publication Date
5-1-2010
Abstract
The Minimum Legal Drinking Age was set at 21 after the passing of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act (NMDAA) of 1984. The NMDAA “required all states to raise their purchase and public possession of alcohol age to 21, or risk losing federal highway funds under the Federal Highway Aid Act” (Drinking 2002: 2). By 1987, all 50 states were on board and the MLDA was established. Since then, there are many reasons and statistics that pro-MLDA advocates point to as evidence that drinking age laws are successful, useful, and beneficial to society. However, for each point supporters make, there is just as much, if not more, evidence on the contrary. As with any argument, it is easy to point out only facts that support your position, but this paper aims to address both aspects of the MLDA and refute many of the claims made by pro-MLDA advocates.
Recommended Citation
Hanchey, Claire
(2010)
"The Failure of Drinking Age Laws,"
Perspectives: Vol. 2, Article 22.
Available at:
https://scholars.unh.edu/perspectives/vol2/iss1/22