It’s been a contentious issue for decades, but should it actually change?

If you’ve served in the military or known someone who has, you’ve surely discussed the oddity of being able to go to war for your country at 18 but not being allowed to buy a beer until 21. Eighteen is the age of adulthood in almost all other respects — voting, finishing high school, being called for jury duty, and so on — making that three-year disparity seem even odder. It traces back to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which was enacted to reduce alcohol-related traffic fatalities among drivers under the age of 21. Studies show that it’s been successful in that regard, which is undeniably a good thing, but are you convinced? Also consider that 64% of countries have a drinking age of 18, which does make the States an outlier.