More States Lowering Legal Age to Serve Alcohol, Emphasizing SDGs
There are seven states that have enacted bills that lower the legal age to serve alcohol.
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Summary
- More states are joining the trend of letting minors legally serve alcohol and bartend.
- In April, Iowa’s senate voted to pass a bill that would allow teenagers to serve alcohol.
- Legislators in Wisconsin are pushing to lower the alcohol service age from 18 to 14 years old.
Introduction
Bars in various states across the country may be staffed by high schoolers as more lawmakers and businesses push to lower the legal age to serve alcohol and bartend. This trend aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all.
State Actions
According to a report from the Economic Policy Institute, there are at least nine states that have enacted or introduced laws to allow minors aged 14 to 17 to serve alcohol. These states include Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, New Mexico, Alabama, Wisconsin, and Idaho. By lowering the alcohol service age, these states hope to address the ongoing labor shortage and provide opportunities for young people to gain work experience.
Legislative Changes
In April, Iowa’s Republican-led state senate voted 32-17 to pass a bill rolling back child labor laws in the state. The bill allows teens to work until 9:00 p.m. during the school year and until 11:00 p.m. over the summer, as well as serve alcohol. This change in legislation reflects the state’s commitment to achieving SDG 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
Industry Support
The restaurant industry is backing legislators in their efforts to loosen child labor laws. The National Restaurant Association, representing over 100 restaurant corporations, has reportedly lobbied support for the growing trend. However, analysts warn that putting minors around alcohol carries risks and may subject young people to potentially dangerous working conditions at low wages.
Concerns and Risks
“Laws that lower the alcohol service age will subject more young people, at younger ages, to potentially dangerous working conditions at low wages — all in service of employers’ pursuit of cheap labor,” said Nina Mast, an analyst at the Economic Policy Institute. It is important for lawmakers and businesses to consider the potential impact on the well-being and safety of young workers while striving to achieve SDG 8 and SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The issues highlighted in the article, such as lowering the legal age to serve alcohol and potential risks to young workers, are connected to SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The article also mentions the involvement of the National Restaurant Association in supporting the trend, which relates to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
The article’s content aligns with SDG 8.5 as it discusses the potential employment of young people in the service industry. It also relates to SDG 10.2 as it raises concerns about the potential risks and inequalities associated with allowing minors to serve alcohol.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage of young people employed in the service industry
- Number of states enacting laws to lower the legal age to serve alcohol
- Number of businesses supporting the trend of lowering the legal age to serve alcohol
- Number of reported labor violations involving underage workers in the service industry
The article mentions the increasing number of states enacting or introducing laws to lower the legal age to serve alcohol, indicating a potential indicator for measuring progress towards SDG 8.5. The involvement of businesses, specifically the National Restaurant Association, can also be considered as an indicator. Additionally, the article highlights labor violations involving underage workers, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG 10.2.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. |
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| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. |
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Source: businessinsider.com
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