OT: Lowering the drinking age?

[haley123]

I work in a high school right now. I cringe at the thought of what would happen if some of the students in the school could legally drink. Also when the health class in the school does debates one of the debates is whether the drinking age should be lowered. According to the teacher of the class over 90% of the students have said it shouldn't be lowered.

 

[3goofyboys]

How funny, DH and I were discussing this article not even 30 minutes ago.

I do think the drinking age should be lowered. When I was in college, not too awfully long ago, everyone who wanted to drink drank regardless of their age. The difference was that people under 21 drank at house parties where no one was going to cut them off no matter how drunk they were. At my alma mater, a young girl died at a house party after consuming an estimated 30 to 40 drinks. Those over 21 drank at bars, and the bartenders were more than willing to cut off a sloshed college student. I think that alcohol related issues like drunk driving are going to be around whether the drinking age is 18 or 21, I'd rather have alcohol consumption out in the open.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

no- it was raised for a reason.

 

[karibritt01]

no- it was raised for a reason.

I thought it was raised to qualify for federal funding for the highways...

 

[fey_spirit]

Absolutely, if they are old enough to make every other possible choice for themselves, and old enough to be held completely responsible in the eyes of the law for their actions, and old enough to die for their country... then yes, they're old enough to drink.

If not, then all of the rest should be put of until 21 years of age as well.

From an ABC News article -



Do you think the drinking age should be changed to 18?


I don't think so by any means.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I live in a college town and drinking is a huge problem here. On weekends the college police department has to call in back up from 3 neighboring areas to help control the parties and drinking. I fear that if the age limit is lower and younger kids are legally allowed to drink this problem will only become worse as there will be less the police are able to do to stop it. Now they can fine the store owners who sell it and arrest underage drinkers. Not only does it take up our police depts time and money but the drinking and driving around here scares me, heaven forbid someone in my family should be hit by a 18 yo drunk driver making a beer run.

 

[perkinsrose]

Police can still break up loud, disruptive parties. When I was in college at a large state university, many parties were broken up due to noise complaints but rarely was anyone cited for MIP (minor in possession).

 

[proteus]

I don't get it. I lived in countries where there was no drinking age, period. Kids were very responsible there because they grew up with it and saw it was part of the family meal (wine, etc.). When I was 10 I could have had wine but I didn't want it and there was nothing "cool" about being able to drink it. I never saw kids binge drinking or drunk for that matter while abroad, then I came to the USA and it was completely out of control. Frat parties were held almost every night and people were passing out from drinking too much. I could not understand what all the fuss was about.

I say do away with any limit, maybe I'm being too optimistic but I think American children can be as mature as their European peers (after all we started from there).

 

[Walt Disney Worlders]

I think it should be lowered back to 18. Lots of issues with binge drinking will be curbed if it is legal. I went to a popular state college and knew NO ONE who actually waited for their 21st birhtday to drink. I do however have a relative who wait til 21 to drink more than a few sips.

 

[Camno's Mama]

I don't get it. I lived in countries where there was no drinking age, period. Kids were very responsible there because they grew up with it and saw it was part of the family meal (wine, etc.). When I was 10 I could have had wine but I didn't want it and there was nothing "cool" about being able to drink it. I never saw kids binge drinking or drunk for that matter while abroad, then I came to the USA and it was completely out of control. Frat parties were held almost every night and people were passing out from drinking too much. I could not understand what all the fuss was about.

I say do away with any limit, maybe I'm being too optimistic but I think American children can be as mature as their European peers (after all we started from there).

I totally agree.

 

[christa112]

Great point, I never actually thought of it that way.

Sorry disagree. If an individual is old enough and responsible enough to make the choice to join the military then they are old enough to buy a beer.

I find it completely baffling that our country trusts young men and women to enter combat, but we don't trust them with a beer when they return.

In fact, I think it is shameful.

 

[jjenniboo]

I don't get it. I lived in countries where there was no drinking age, period. Kids were very responsible there because they grew up with it and saw it was part of the family meal (wine, etc.). When I was 10 I could have had wine but I didn't want it and there was nothing "cool" about being able to drink it. I never saw kids binge drinking or drunk for that matter while abroad, then I came to the USA and it was completely out of control. Frat parties were held almost every night and people were passing out from drinking too much. I could not understand what all the fuss was about.

I say do away with any limit, maybe I'm being too optimistic but I think American children can be as mature as their European peers (after all we started from there).

I agree that it's the excitement of doing something you shouldn't be doing that makes many teens and young adults drink. My husband was born in another country with no age limit and he has never been drunk a day in his life. It never seemed like a big deal. I think it should be lowered.

 

[adsrtw]

As a daughter of an alcoholic who passed away 25 years ago, I am against anybody drinking to excess. At 18, I was not mature enough to drink ~ trust me ~ the booze is plentiful even for the under 21 group. I saw alot of my friends crash and burn.