The Amethyst Initiative-A discussion of the drinking age

[Green Tea]

http://www.amethystinitiative.org/

Several threads lately have discussed drinking of college campuses. This group supports discussion of what the legal age to drink should be. Interesting discussion on both sides.

I've never known this not to be a discussing group!

 

[Micca]

I took a German class in high school. The goal was to learn the language, but the instructor included some social/cultural aspects of Germany. The topic of teenage drinking(legally) was raised, and I'll always remember her comment. She said that in Germany beer & wine are a normal part of life and that because they had no stigma about having an alcohol beverage with dinner young people didn't feel compelled to sneak out and get hammered.

This was many years ago, dunno if things have changed in Germany or what kinds of issues that country has in dealing with alcohol and the problems often associated with it. Just thought I get the ball rolling on the discussion.

 

[FireDancer]

I have always found it ironic that at 18 you could get shot for your country but not take a shot for your country.

I think the drinking age should be 18 but in regards to mica's about the stigma of alcohol and allowing kids to experience it as normal at a younger age, we can do that now. I grew up in a Sicilian family and it was common at large family gatherings to allow the kids to have some wine with dinner. Sure, you can't consume it in public or buy it before you are 21 but that doesn't mean the parents or family can't take it on themselves to use the European model of allowing alcohol at meals or special occasions. My dad's side of the family isn't Sicilian but they would also allow us to have a beer at 4th of July or Labor Day parties at my grandpa's lodge. It took away a lot of the "oh boy, I'm doing something I shouldn't" aspect of alcohol.

I'm not talking about throwing parties for friends or allowing us to do keg stands or drink a bottle of home made vino. I'm talking about parents doing what they think is best. I don't see the age getting lowered anytime soon. It is a political issue and once anything becomes that it is hard to turn it around.

 

[merryweather20]

Where I grew up we had 5 years of high school and the drinking age was 19. This meant that when you were going out with your friends in your senior year at the drinking age, you then had to come to your Mom and Dad's house and account for your behaviour.

I also grew up in wine country, so it was always around. My parents never offered me any mind you, they were always disinterested in alcohol.

I'd be hardpressed to say any of my peers were very excited over their 19th birthday, and I've never touched the stuff. I tend to think that a higher drinking age would make the kids less interested in taking viticulture courses, I know they'd have to revamp the wine tasting at the very least.

 

[Sparx]

i feel like as long as there is a legal drinking age, there will probably be under age drinking. as a society we have a huge stigma against drinking (like sexuality) but its still all over the place, as the "forbidden fruit." and until our attitude towards alcohol changes, underage drinking will still be a huge problem.

 

[Green Tea]

My friends from European countries all say the same thing. It was never really "forbidden" so when kids did to drink, they didn't go on binges. There wasn't a reason to because it was legal and available to have some the next day.

I think it would make drinking in high schools more common, but would it help prevent the bingeing we see now, and ultimately save lives.

A lot of top schools are open to discussing the matter. It is an interesting topic.

 

[MouseLover]

It seems to me if you can vote, get married, & go to war at 18, then you should be able to drink a beer.

 

[Pigeon]

I think there should be one age when one is considered to legally be an adult for all purposes, including joining the military, being tried for crimes as an adult, voting, marriage and drinking, and I think it should be 18.

I work on a college campus and all the 21 year old drinking age does is encourage binge drinking.

 

[LisaNJ25]

It seems to me if you can vote, get married, & go to war at 18, then you should be able to drink a beer.

I was married at 18 and had to go get a fake id in order to be able to go out to drink with my husband.