Why is it illegal to drink before age 21 (in USA), when EVERYTHING else is 16 (car), and 18?

Answer 1

When I was 18 - it was a legal drinking age at that time. I truly don't understand it either. I believe if we can send someone off to war at 18, we can surely allow them to have a drink. That's just my opinion.

Answer 2

Because of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). They started out as an awareness group and became more of a political action group that managed to convince enough people in the House and Senate that drinking in high school at 16 and 18 leads to deaths of children SOOOOOO the House and Senate passed a bill that became a law saying that states couldn't get federal funding for roads and whatnot unless their drinking/purchase of alcohol age was 21 instead of 18. They can't come out and say "The purchase of alcohol and legal consumption age is 21" because that infringes on Constitutionally granted rights (see the 10th amendment) to the states. The states, however, are poor so they WANT the funding for highways. And that is why the legal consumption/purchase of alcohol age is 21 instead of 16 or 18 as it was.

Answer 3

Drinking is a taboo, you arent supposed to drink, in order to keep everything alright they suspend the age until 21, its not good for the body to take in alcohol at such a young age, it damages the still developing body, gambling is also at 21, obviously, not everything is set at 16 and 18. I dont think that if you were a parent you would like your 16 year old to be able to obtain alcohol, its much more different when you look at it from a different perspective than from the perspective of a alcohol desirous teenager, wait until you turn 21, and hey, why not wait to get a car and smoke until you are 21 too, it would all be much better. Wouldnt it?

Answer 4

The age of 21 was also used for voting until 1971 [26th amendment]. the age of 21 has historical significance dating back to the times of knights, you could not be a Knight until that time. As for way everything else being dropped, there is discussion on dropping the voting age to 16 even, however nationwide the federal government forced all states to bring the minimum drinking age to 21 in order that a higher maturity level would be acquired prior to getting drunk.... and losing all your maturity in the process.

Answer 5

Because kids tend to drink and drive and die. Back in the 1970s many states lowered the drinking age to 18 (New Jersey, Massachusetts). The thinking was that if you can die for your country at 18 (the Vietnam war was going on) then you can be allowed to drink. But drunken kids started crashing cars in droves and the insurance companies/concerned parents pressured the states to raise the limit back up again.

Answer 6

The drinking age has changed alot since the 1930s and through th 1940s because soldiers had a right to drink. They didnt know if they were going to die the next day, and it might not have been their choice to be in the military, because of the draft. Also, insurance went up as well because of all of the car accidents and so on due to drinking.

Answer 7

It was decided kids below the age of 18 like to indulge in excess when it come to drinking. This could lead to imparment to physical and motor skill necessary to operate cars and mechanical devices, thus creating a safety hazard for all who are in his path. Driving a car (without liquor) and voting in an election are allowed, because these actions are less likely to be hazardous without alcohol in the mix.

Answer 8

in my opinion a person must not drive until 18, if not 21; although i am 15 right now. driving first of all, a person is not at his full mental state. at age 21 a person if fully developed, mentally and physical. and then do you know what booze does to your body? if you become an alcoholic at small age, you would be just getting rid of your liver, as burning a paper. you don't really want me to tell you how this happens scientifcly. at smaller age you are more exposed to getting "sick" than at older age. as intellectual person think all booze must be illigal, due to its harm it causes a person.

Answer 9

One that I really wonder about is...WHY at the age of 18 you can go and fight for our country but you can't drink?? They will let you go and kill someone in war or you might get killed but HECK if you drink a beer, you will be going to jail. Some of the laws don't make sense.

Answer 10

There is no good reason for this..
In Canada its 18 and 19 depending on where you are..
21 is just retarded