Aidan O’Connor

Abstract:

The 1984 National Minimum Drinking Age Act increased the federal minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) to 21. Before 1984 the legal drinking age and what that entailed had varied between states. The efforts of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other nonprofit organizations made the eventual push for the minimum drinking age to be established at the federal level. This study examines the socio-political history of the MLDA. Based on survey data collected from Siena College students and the Siena Beverage Institute’s Instagram account, this research explores whether MLDA could be lowered and, if so, in a socially sustainable way.