All 50 US states have set their minimum drinking age to
21 although exceptions do exist on a state-by-state
basis for consumption at home, under adult supervision,
for medical necessity, and other reasons.
Proponents of lowering the minimum legal drinking age
(MLDA) from 21 argue that it has not stopped teen
drinking, and has instead pushed underage binge
drinking into private and less controlled environments,
leading to more health and life-endangering behavior by
teens.
Opponents of lowering the MLDA argue that teens have
not yet reached an age where they can handle alcohol
responsibly, and thus are more likely to harm or even
kill themselves and others by drinking prior to 21. They
contend that traffic fatalities decreased when the MLDA
increased .
Although many believe that anyone under the age of 21
is prohibited from consuming alcohol in the United
States, underage drinking is allowed in 29 states if done
on private premises with parental consent, 25 states if
for religious purposes, and 11 states if for educational
purposes .
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