The drinking age of the United States is set at 21 years old. However, just like voting, it did not always be this way. Before 1984 the legal drinking age varied, but was mostly 18 years old. This changed when the National Minimum Drinking Age Act was passed in 1984. This act stated that revenue would be withheld from states that allowed anyone under the age of 21 to purchase alcohol. Over the years, this law has been the biggest controversy of any law dealing with age. The United States has the highest drinking age in the world, yet other countries set the minimum age at 18. There is an on-going debate on whether or not the minimum drinking age of 21 makes sense.
People are technically considered an adult at the age of 18. When someone turns 18, they are allowed to purchase tobacco, join the army, vote, and marry. All of these things contribute to define that individual as an adult at the age of 18. However, these "adults" are not allowed to purchase/consume alcohol. This is where the definition of a person becomes unclear. This age discrimination law prohibits these people to partake in a certain activity. Therefore, it is unclear whether or not these people are legally defined as a person because they do not meet the age requirement for this specific law.
Jay Brooks © 2009http://brookstonbeerbulletin.com/world-drinking-age-maps/
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