Drinking age

[mom2rtk]

I'm good with 21.

 

[sam_gordon]

The change in the US was primarily made to reduce drunk driving accidents.

Here's my theory... make it 13. MOST kids that age don't have money to get alcohol, don't have transportation to go to the store (yes, I know some kids are within walking distance), BUT the key is getting them "used" to alcohol early. So it's not "forbidden fruit" shortly after they start driving. By the time they're behind the wheel, it's no big deal to drink, therefore they don't get drunk.

Just a theory and I have no facts to back it up other than "look at Europe".

 

[NotUrsula]

I think that if the insurance industry and MADD were not such a powerful lobby, it would still be 18 in the US, but they are, and it is what it is. As long as this country remains primarily private-car dependent, it won't go back down.

IME, very few young Europeans have cars freely at their disposal, partly because the age to get a license is higher in most countries (usually at least 18 for a full license, unless you get an exception for work purposes.) Also, the taxes on cars tend to be quite high, as is the cost of fuel, so not that many people can afford to maintain their own car until they have been working for a while. Also, I don't think there is any European country where a parent can get into trouble allowing a glass of wine or a beer to be consumed by a teen at home under supervision, and in most places that's pretty common from about age 14, so by the time they are driving, much of the novelty of getting a buzz on has worn off.

 

[tvguy]

I think that if the insurance industry and MADD were not such a powerful lobby, it would still be 18 in the US, but they are, and it is what it is. As long as this country remains primarily private-car dependent, it won't go back down.

IME, very few young Europeans have cars freely at their disposal. The taxes on them tend to be quite high, as is the cost of fuel, so not that many people can afford to maintain their own wheels until they have been working for a while.

Well, MADD was founded here in California where the drinking age was never reduced from 21. There influence here was in getting the Blood Alcohol level at which you are considered intoxicated lowered from .10 to .08.

 

[tvguy]

Ironically, it’s legal to buy tobacco in most states at 18. I guess the human lungs don’t matter as much

Most, but California raised in years ago to 21 for tobacco also.

 

[tvguy]

18 in my province and I’m fine with that,

Very dumb that you can go to war or buy a gun but not buy a beer in the USA.

The double digit liquor tax in Canada may make it unaffordable for young adults. And old adults for that matter.
I paid $39 for a 5 liter boxed wine in Canada that at the time sold for $7 here in California. And that was 2009. No idea the price now in Canada, but it's still under $15 here.

 

[EACarlson]

21 for tobacco became federal law in 2019.
In Wisconsin, a parent may give their child under 18 alcohol at any establishment that has a liquor license. So I could take my 8 year old to the bar and give him a beer. He can't buy it himself but can be given it.

 

[tvguy]

. I’ve always found this absurd that you can vote or serve the country (and die for it) at 18 but
cannot legally have a beer.

I would have no problem with them raising the voting or age to join the military to 21.
With an all volunteer military, that is a good option for many 18 year olds who did not finish high school, aren't ready for college, or don't know what they want to do with their lives. Same with the service organizations live the Peace Corps, Conservation Corps, etc.

 

[disneychrista]

Do we really want new voters, gun owners, military drinking too?

 

[AppleDumpling]

I have mixed feelings. I was able to drink alcohol legally at 18. Then it was raised to 19, and then again to 21, but I was always ahead of the age. Lots of college students drank heavily back in my day and lots still do today. I think it might be worse now. I see the advantages of keeping it at 21. There are (and always have been) many young adults who lack maturity and good judgement, however, is it right to hold all of them accountable for the irresponsible behavior of some?

 

[NotUrsula]

Do we really want new voters, gun owners, military drinking too?

They already can if they are serving abroad in a country where alcohol is available and the age limit is lower. US overseas bases follow the local rules on age.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

I think 21 is good.

 

[Genie+]

My older sister and brother were born less than 2 years apart. My sister just missed NJ’s 18 and had to wait to 19 but back then females weren’t carded anyway. My brother had to wait 4 more years after her because it changed to 21 right before he turned 19.

New York hadn’t increased ages yet so NJ guys often drove over the border NJ together, causing more danger and bad outcomes.

In 1973 the NJ drinking age was lowered from 21 to 18. In 1980 the drinking age went from 18 to 19. In 1983 the drinking age went from 19 to 21.

In 1982 NY raised age from 18 to 19, then in 1984 raised to 21.

1984: Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act that required states to increase their drinking age to 21, or they would lose 10% of their highway funds. I think NY also had some pressure from NJ.

When family visited Italy in the 80s, they were surprised 14 and 15yo relatives were drinking weak beer with breakfast.

 

[robinb]

I think if you’re an adult for everything else, then you should be able to consume alcohol (and weed) at 18 too. Either you’re an adult or you are not.

 

[maxaroni]

My older sister and brother were born less than 2 years apart. My sister just missed NJ’s 18 and had to wait to 19 but back then females weren’t carded anyway. My brother had to wait 4 more years after her because it changed to 21 right before he turned 19.

New York hadn’t increased ages yet so NJ guys often drove over the border NJ together, causing more danger and bad outcomes.

In 1973 the NJ drinking age was lowered from 21 to 18. In 1980 the drinking age went from 18 to 19. In 1983 the drinking age went from 19 to 21.

In 1982 NY raised age from 18 to 19, then in 1984 raised to 21.

1984: Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act that required states to increase their drinking age to 21, or they would lose 10% of their highway funds. I think NY also had some pressure from NJ.

When family visited Italy in the 80s, they were surprised 14 and 15yo relatives were drinking weak beer with breakfast.

You must be from North Jersey! We were born and raised in Bergen County, DH crossed over to NY as the drinking age was 21 for him, 18 in NY. For me, the drinking age had gone to 18, so didn’t have the “need” to cross the border, yet we sometimes did.

 

[CdnCarrie]

The double digit liquor tax in Canada may make it unaffordable for young adults. And old adults for that matter.
I paid $39 for a 5 liter boxed wine in Canada that at the time sold for $7 here in California. And that was 2009. No idea the price now in Canada, but it's still under $15 here.

I never had issue affording my liquor when I was 18.

And I have no issues with taxes on luxury items like alcohol and tobacco to help fund things like our healthcare system

 

[Genie+]

You must be from North Jersey! We were born and raised in Bergen County, DH crossed over to NY as the drinking age was 21 for him, 18 in NY. For me, the drinking age had gone to 18, so didn’t have the “need” to cross the border, yet we sometimes did.

Yes we were too After all the drinking ages went up, crossing borders continued for the latest closing time.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Well, MADD was founded here in California where the drinking age was never reduced from 21. There influence here was in getting the Blood Alcohol level at which you are considered intoxicated lowered from .10 to .08.

The BAC is another interesting piece to throw into the mix. In the US, the drinking age is 21 (presumably to curb youth drinking) but the legal limit is .08 for driving purposes. Yet, in Western Europe where the drinking age is lower, the threshold for being impaired is also lower. In much of Western Europe it's .05 and in Central and Eastern Europe, it can range from 0.0 to .03 BAC depending on country. I also notice that there is a plethora of options for non-alcoholic beer here and they actually taste good, whereas I don't see as many brands in America. Very interesting.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

I am currently in Europe where they have a much lower drinking age than in the USA, 13 in fact. I find this interesting considering our drinking age used to be 18, and is now 21. I’ve always found this absurd that you can vote or serve the country (and die for it) at 18 but
cannot legally have a beer. What are your thoughts? I wonder what would happen if we lowered the drinking age in America.

I should also edit my original post that the ages here do vary by country. Some are on the lower side and others are closer to 18. Sorry for the error.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think that if the insurance industry and MADD were not such a powerful lobby, it would still be 18 in the US, but they are, and it is what it is. As long as this country remains primarily private-car dependent, it won't go back down.

IME, very few young Europeans have cars freely at their disposal, partly because the age to get a license is higher in most countries (usually at least 18 for a full license, unless you get an exception for work purposes.) Also, the taxes on cars tend to be quite high, as is the cost of fuel, so not that many people can afford to maintain their own car until they have been working for a while. Also, I don't think there is any European country where a parent can get into trouble allowing a glass of wine or a beer to be consumed by a teen at home under supervision, and in most places that's pretty common from about age 14, so by the time they are driving, much of the novelty of getting a buzz on has worn off.

With suburban sprawl already well established, we will never be anything but a primarily private car dependent country. That's a huge consideration in this discussion and why comparisons with Europe are not valid.