Postby Kyle » Tue Apr 07, 2015 6:04 pm
One idea behind the reason for the drinking age being 21 in all states is because there is some evidence to suggest alcohol has a stronger effect on people up until about the age of 20 than it does later. There is a fairly significantly higher chance of becoming an alcoholic for someone who starts drinking before the age of 20, at least.
But the main reason the states set the drinking age at 21 is because MADD managed to convince the federal government to withhold federal funds to states if they didn't change the drinking age to 21 (as studies showed an increase in the number of fatal car accidents for the 18-21 age group when drinking ages were lowered following the passage of the 26th amendment). Needless to say, all the states complied.
It is actually not illegal for minors to drink alcohol in most states, only to buy alcohol. Only seven states (Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Vermont) explicitly ban alcohol drinking for anyone under 21. Many states do heavily restrict when a minor can drink, such as requiring them to be supervised by family members, or for religious activities. So if you live in one of these states and you're 18, you can legally drink alcohol.
Added: Usually the requirement is that someone underage has to be at home and supervised. Most kids probably aren't going to be able to get that. Local laws on what qualifies as possession of alcohol could also play a part. So it's not really the smartest thing for someone underage to drink, even if it may technically be legal. And I wouldn't want to try to explain it to the cops, who aren't known for letting you know all the rights you really have normally. But it can be legal in some places if you really understand the laws.