Beer! Whisky! Vodka! Wine!, Drinking Age Options

[31miracles]

Should the United States get rid of their drinking age limit like many other countries?

I believe the United States should get rid of the drinking age.
It is actually safer not to have a drinking age. When many people in the U.S. reach the drinking limit, they celebrate by getting dangerously wasted. Countries like France do not have such a big drinking problem like the U.S. because they have no drinking age. Not having a drinking age will allow children to drink. If it's legal to drink, young people will become more mature. They won't have the joy of being a badass drinking underage. In China, almost everyone drinks, and there are a few accidents.

The drinking age in America cause hundred of thousands of people, celebrating being old enough to drink, getting rushed to emergency rooms every year.

[*ECD & C0*]

my parents said i can drink at home when im 18 because then i wont get curious and go get drunk somewhere else so i dont know. anyway i think its ok maybe lower it to 18

[snak3y3z1001]

i honestly believe they should lower it to at least 18. if im allowed to drive and join the military at 18, then i dont see why we cant drink at 18 too.

[technicolour]

^ Seriously. It used to be at 18. What the heck happened maaaannn?

[Joss-eh-lime]

no way... gosh that would cause soo many more problems.
theres already enough people dead from drunk drivers.
give kids alcohol now will just set them for to be an alcoholic.

i personally dont think drinking alcoholic beverages should even be legal, but thats not gonna happen.

more rape, other sexual abuses& car accidents happen when theres drinking involved.

[Comptine]

no way... gosh that would cause soo many more problems.
theres already enough people dead from drunk drivers.
give kids alcohol now will just set them for to be an alcoholic.

i personally dont think drinking alcoholic beverages should even be legal, but thats not gonna happen.

more rape, other sexual abuses& car accidents happen when theres drinking involved.

^but that irresponsible attitude is because young adults want alcohol while it's illegal. when they do get their hands on it, they abuse it wayyy out of line.

in europe, the driving age is much higher than the drinking age. it makes less sense than to have a lower driving age and a high drinking age. people can fool clerks or find friends to buy them alcohol. it's still attainable even though it's illegal. however, if the driving age was legal, there would be a drastic decrease in drunk driving accidents among teens and young adults because they can't drive! i rather hand someone irresponsible a bottle of beer than the keys to a car.

[oXMuhNirvanaXo]

I think it should be lowerd to 18 but the people have to drink on there property and they ... have to have there parents "ok"..

[demolished]

i believe so.


there was little kids who look at the media seeing people drinking.

it inspired them to .. want to drink.

they really really really want it ...

but they cant have it

it's against the law

and they go crazy for it

and become immatue and irrresponsible

[misoshiru]

what do you mean by "it's safer not to have a drinking age"? Everywhere else, the drinking age, at max is at 18. I feel that because of the legal drinking age in the States is 21, stereotypically, those who do drink underage get wasted whenever they drink. Because the drinking age is placed so high, and they drink "illegally", I personally think that they feel the need to drink as much as they can to get a kick out of it. Outside of the US, many learn to drink with moderation because we're used to drinking already. I think that the drinking age should be lowered, but not completely abolished.

[AngelinaTaylor]

What?

Places like France DO have a drinking age. Doesn't mean that they're so strict about it. Trust me, I've lived in Europe for almost 14 years.

And teens will always do what is considered "bad". I don't know why it's such a big deal here.. People treat it like it's some holy thing. "OMG BEER!!! YEAH LET'S GO GET DRUNK!!! WOHOO!" And people in Europe are just like.. "Drinking? Meh.. okay."

...

[*I Shot JFK*]

I dont have a great deal of opinion on this issue.

i tend to think that the kids who ar egonna get wasted will get wasted regardless.

the age here is 18, i got drunk for the first time when i was 15...? actually, aybe just before. well, whatever, the point ois there

[Joss-eh-lime]

^but that irresponsible attitude is because young adults want alcohol while it's illegal. when they do get their hands on it, they abuse it wayyy out of line.

in europe, the driving age is much higher than the drinking age. it makes less sense than to have a lower driving age and a high drinking age. people can fool clerks or find friends to buy them alcohol. it's still attainable even though it's illegal. however, if the driving age was legal, there would be a drastic decrease in drunk driving accidents among teens and young adults because they can't drive! i rather hand someone irresponsible a bottle of beer than the keys to a car.

the irresposible attitude is becuase they are too young. and the age has nothing to do with the fact that more rape and car accidents happen. when a girls drunk she could be raped and not even be able to fight back...it happens ALOT.

People are alot wiser at 21 than 15.. and they know that even if they havent had a drink before, they still need to be careful.


if some person is going crazy willing to break the law to get their hands on some alcohol then they arent even mature enoughto have it. they wouldnt know how much, where, when or what to do. its not a smart idea to give kids the privalege of drinking.


aha im really opinionated on this topic, and alot of others..

[31miracles]

Places like France DO have a drinking age. Doesn't mean that they're so strict about it. Trust me, I've lived in Europe for almost 14 years.

True but it isn't enforced. My cousin lives their, he's 14 and people his age drink all the time. Parents no that the drinking age is a joke and don't follow it.

[KUBANO]

is this where the beer is ?

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[*I Shot JFK*]

the irresposible attitude is becuase they are too young. and the age has nothing to do with the fact that more rape and car accidents happen. when a girls drunk she could be raped and not even be able to fight back...it happens ALOT.

People are alot wiser at 21 than 15.. and they know that even if they havent had a drink before, they still need to be careful.
if some person is going crazy willing to break the law to get their hands on some alcohol then they arent even mature enoughto have it. they wouldnt know how much, where, when or what to do. its not a smart idea to give kids the privalege of drinking.
aha im really opinionated on this topic, and alot of others..

no, im sorry, but i dont think you're giving young people enough credit.

people grow into alcohol responsibilty, like anything else. and if that can be done when peope;l are not around cars and driving, so much the better,

all of my friends have been drinking for several years, and yea, some people got absolutely trashed at first, when we were 14/15, but now, we know our limits, adn we know when NOT to drink, i.e. around cars and in certain social situations. and, there was not a SINGLE drunk driving problem with any one in my school reported all year. so something must be right.

and as for the liklihood that responsibility will increase with age, i would point you in the direction of britain's problem with binge rinking. people who are geting their livers destroyed by alcohol by their mid twenties, because of their drinking every night from teh time they are about 20.

and furthermore, kids our age DO understand the risks associated with drinking. as far as rape is concerned, i know lots of girls who carry rape alarms, and there is little one can do to physically fight of a much strnger man who is sexually assaulting them REGARDLESS of alcohol. the same goes for drink spiking. my younger brothers friend had his drink spiked at a party not long ago, and there was no alcohol there at all at the time.

in short, alcohol isnt evil, and it isnt responsible for all the ills with young people. it I sresponsible for some incedents, of course. but, if responsibility is learned young, it becoems more natural, as a whole.

[AngelinaTaylor]

no, im sorry, but i dont think you're giving young people enough credit.

people grow into alcohol responsibilty, like anything else. and if that can be done when peope;l are not around cars and driving, so much the better,

all of my friends have been drinking for several years, and yea, some people got absolutely trashed at first, when we were 14/15, but now, we know our limits, adn we know when NOT to drink, i.e. around cars and in certain social situations. and, there was not a SINGLE drunk driving problem with any one in my school reported all year. so something must be right.

and as for the liklihood that responsibility will increase with age, i would point you in the direction of britain's problem with binge rinking. people who are geting their livers destroyed by alcohol by their mid twenties, because of their drinking every night from teh time they are about 20.

and furthermore, kids our age DO understand the risks associated with drinking. as far as rape is concerned, i know lots of girls who carry rape alarms, and there is little one can do to physically fight of a much strnger man who is sexually assaulting them REGARDLESS of alcohol. the same goes for drink spiking. my younger brothers friend had his drink spiked at a party not long ago, and there was no alcohol there at all at the time.

in short, alcohol isnt evil, and it isnt responsible for all the ills with young people. it I sresponsible for some incedents, of course. but, if responsibility is learned young, it becoems more natural, as a whole.

Oh please, if you say a teen can take more responsible actions than an adult, you're dead wrong. (I'm not saying that's always the case, but it's pretty much true)

And sure, kids at that age do understand the "dangers" of drinking, but does that mean that many care? No.

And by the way, when a girl has had a lot to drink, it is a LOT more likely that if someone tried to have sex with her, she wouldn't even try to fight it. When you're sober, you can really think more clearly :)

[Comptine]

the irresposible attitude is becuase they are too young. and the age has nothing to do with the fact that more rape and car accidents happen. when a girls drunk she could be raped and not even be able to fight back...it happens ALOT.

People are alot wiser at 21 than 15.. and they know that even if they havent had a drink before, they still need to be careful.
if some person is going crazy willing to break the law to get their hands on some alcohol then they arent even mature enoughto have it. they wouldnt know how much, where, when or what to do. its not a smart idea to give kids the privalege of drinking.
aha im really opinionated on this topic, and alot of others..

first of all, i also advocate a higher driving age. some teenagers can kill someone with a car without even being drunk.

people are wiser at 21 than 15? no, when it comes to alcohol and driving, anyone at any age can make the same mistake. also, teenagers tend to get wasted and then have large period of time before drinking again because of the trouble they have to go through. in America, a case came out that 20 somethings are more likely to do more damage to themselves because they can drink more frequently but then when they do, they drink a lot and then drink a little then drink till they puke.

once again, i rather give a stupid person a large amount of alcohol than a car.

[demolished]

^
does that include to france?

[magicfann]

my cousins and uncles nd shit always press me to drink and im 14 lol chinese win? chinese ppl usually don't have drinking problems..at least as far as im concerned

[*ECD & C0*]

i honestly believe they should lower it to at least 18. if im allowed to drive and join the military at 18, then i dont see why we cant drink at 18 too.

yeah i mean WTF why wait 3 more years

[Joss-eh-lime]

no, im sorry, but i dont think you're giving young people enough credit.

people grow into alcohol responsibilty, like anything else. and if that can be done when peope;l are not around cars and driving, so much the better,

all of my friends have been drinking for several years, and yea, some people got absolutely trashed at first, when we were 14/15, but now, we know our limits, adn we know when NOT to drink, i.e. around cars and in certain social situations. and, there was not a SINGLE drunk driving problem with any one in my school reported all year. so something must be right.

and as for the liklihood that responsibility will increase with age, i would point you in the direction of britain's problem with binge rinking. people who are geting their livers destroyed by alcohol by their mid twenties, because of their drinking every night from teh time they are about 20.

and furthermore, kids our age DO understand the risks associated with drinking. as far as rape is concerned, i know lots of girls who carry rape alarms, and there is little one can do to physically fight of a much strnger man who is sexually assaulting them REGARDLESS of alcohol. the same goes for drink spiking. my younger brothers friend had his drink spiked at a party not long ago, and there was no alcohol there at all at the time.

in short, alcohol isnt evil, and it isnt responsible for all the ills with young people. it I sresponsible for some incedents, of course. but, if responsibility is learned young, it becoems more natural, as a whole.

well then whats the diff... just wait to get "trashed" when your 21 and learn your limits then, when your mistake is your consequence, not your parents.

yea, alcohol isnt evil. but too much of it is..its responsible for alot of tragedies that happen everyday.

[*I Shot JFK*]

^ im sorry, but i am responsible for my own actions. to suggest that my mistakes are my parent's problem alone is silly. and remarkably naive.

Oh please, if you say a teen can take more responsible actions than an adult, you're dead wrong. (I'm not saying that's always the case, but it's pretty much true)

And sure, kids at that age do understand the "dangers" of drinking, but does that mean that many care? No.

my point was that they can take AS responsible actions as many adults do. there is no magical door which means you are suddenly 'responsible' at twenty one, as opposed to 16.

and your right. most teens i know DONT care about alcohol poisoning or rape, or being killed or killing while drunk driving. my bad.

[AngelinaTaylor]

^ im sorry, but i am responsible for my own actions. to suggest that my mistakes are my parent's problem alone is silly. and remarkably naive.
my point was that they can take AS responsible actions as many adults do. there is no magical door which means you are suddenly 'responsible' at twenty one, as opposed to 16.

and your right. most teens i know DONT care about alcohol poisoning or rape, or being killed or killing while drunk driving. my bad.

I'm not saying there aren't exceptions.. of course there are. But you've got to admit that there's a greater chance of a 21-year-old being more sensible than a 15/16-year-old.

And of course everyone cares about "alcohol poisoning or rape, or being killed or killing while drunk driving." But most people think "Nah, it won't happen to me", and drink anyway. That's what I meant by not caring :) Truth is, it does happen.. and you never know.

[smoke]

I've always liked the way Germans do it. At 14, you can drink at home or in public as long as your parents say it's ok. At 16 you can drink soft liquor like beer and wine and at 18 you can drink whatever the hell you want.

I think America should do it that way. They're crime rate and problems due to alcohol is very very very low.

And teens will always do what is considered "bad". I don't know why it's such a big deal here.. People treat it like it's some holy thing. "OMG BEER!!! YEAH LET'S GO GET DRUNK!!! WOHOO!" And people in Europe are just like.. "Drinking? Meh.. okay."

...

Man, sounds boring. I'm glad I don't live there.

Funny but I know quite a few people in Scotland and Germany and they're more crazy about getting drunk then I've ever seen anyone get in America.

[AngelinaTaylor]

Man, sounds boring. I'm glad I don't live there.

People don't get so excited about it because they're allowed to drink.. that's all. It's hell a lot more fun to live in Europe :)

[smoke]

People don't get so excited about it because they're allowed to drink.. that's all. It's hell a lot more fun to live in Europe :)

ha, with the drinking laws the way they are, I imagine it is! :D

[*ECD & C0*]

^-- AGREED

[*RiC3xBoy*]

Well it could go either way. Drinking would either be less popular, thus helping, or more DUIs and car accidents. I think it should be moved to 18, instead of 21. More of a happy medium.

[starlette]

when it comes down to it, if its not illegal, its not exciting. Thats wy people all around the world dont get together and pull a "DUDE! LETS GET SOME LE BEER!!!!!!" cuz people would be like, why? We just had wine with le dinner. (haha french) It becomes sensationalized. I have a friend whose whole family drinks. nOT like alcoholics, but always wine with dinner and beer with meals and stuff, so when me and my friend get together to drink, she doesnt get excited. were all like MUST GET ALCOHOL!!! WAAAAH. She doesnt care cuz she gets it whenever. And all of my friends that are over 21, are already over it. Now that they can drink, tey dont really care either. Its the most dangerous when kids are trying to get as much as they can without getting caught because its dangerous and teens like to be dangerous. Eliminate the drinking law and its not excitin anymore.

[ryfitaDF]

i say legalise it. along with weed and cigarettes. the ONLY reason people do it is to be rebelious. once that thrill is gone there will be nothing to it.

[Paradox of Life]

no way... gosh that would cause soo many more problems.
theres already enough people dead from drunk drivers.
give kids alcohol now will just set them for to be an alcoholic.

i personally dont think drinking alcoholic beverages should even be legal, but thats not gonna happen.

more rape, other sexual abuses& car accidents happen when theres drinking involved.

So because drinking is allowed to people under the age of 21, more rape, sexual abuse, car accidents, etc will happen? What makes you think that?

Drinking seems to be so taboo, and people seem to be overenthusiastic about it. Especially when they do it illegally. Kids nowadays think it's ohsocool to get wasted because it's illegal. I'm sorry, but beer doesn't taste that amazing. But telling your friends you have full access to something not everyone else has or can have is.

If the drinking age were eliminated, parents would be much more diligant about teaching their children to drink responsibly at an early age because right now, it seems alcohol alltogether has been a subject that parents try to avoid from their kids.

It is commonly accepted here that alcohol is not allowed for kids because their bodies are not strong enough to handle it. If kids knew that throughout their childhood, why would they drink it? Well, a lot of them do now because it's illegal and that makes it "cool". But if it wasn't illegal, who would want to drink it? And who would be excited enough to get senselessly drunk if they could have it anytime?

If ICEE's became illegal because of brainfreeze, I'm sure people would be making ICEE's at home "illegally" and showing it off to their friends.

So my point is, yes, I don't think that there should be a drinking age, BUT there should be a few restrictions to keep kids already addicted from killing themselves. Such as a law that prevents anyone younger than 21 to buy very strong liqours or large amounts of beer. Or something along those lines.

[*I Shot JFK*]

^ linking to that, the libralization laws in switzerland regarding heroin have led to an 80% decrease in new users.

why? because it takes away the glamour... same would be the case with alcohol.

[cashmere deer]

Yes and No. Yes because it does eliminate the whole curiosity thing and no because I don't think us Americans are responsible enough to handle drinking at a young age. The law does actually prevent a lot of kids from making mistakes like that.

[smoke]

i say legalise it. along with weed and cigarettes. the ONLY reason people do it is to be rebelious. once that thrill is gone there will be nothing to it.

Weed will never be legalized in the U.S. because it cannot be taxed by the government. I agree, it should be legalized though. It's actually less harmful to you then tobacco. All the stuff about "weed killing brain cells" is bull because smoking tobacco actually kills brain cells too and the amount of cigarettes smokers smoke a day kills more brain cells then a joint. You don't see "stoners" out there smoking over 6 joints a day as opposed to smokers and their 6 cigarettes a day and sometimes a whole pack. The only thing in smoking weed that kills brain cells is the carbon dioxide put into your blood from the inhalation of the smoke. It's the same with cigarettes. The studies to "prove" that smoking weed kills brain cells was ridiculous. The specimens (which were monkeys) were put in rooms full of pot smoke for 16 hours a day. If you're in a room full of any kind of smoke for 16 hours a day, you're gonna kill brain cells. Also, parts on the monkeys brains that were said to be "damaged" were actually normal and misinterpreted. The anti-drug ads continue to lie based on these "studies."

But anyway, I digress. Again, I say we do like Germany does with the drinking age.

[Joss-eh-lime]

So because drinking is allowed to people under the age of 21, more rape, sexual abuse, car accidents, etc will happen? What makes you think that?

no, im saying the overuse of alcohol already causes way more than enough problems when the people involved are the legal age...and it would occur more if more people were part of that "legal age" group. more people...more accidents.

[smoke]

^ I'm not sure how you came up with that logic. It's been proven over and over that those types of accidents decrease when the drinking age is lowered.

But, I kinda see where you're going with that one. It all depends on who is receiving it, I guess. Someone mentioned eairlier that Americans would probably be irresponsible. Only time can tell. :)

[AngelinaTaylor]

^ I'm not sure how you came up with that logic. It's been proven over and over that those types of accidents decrease when the drinking age is lowered.

How exactly has it been proven? I'm not buying this.

[*RiC3xBoy*]

I dont buy it either. Sure, if take away the glorification, less people would drink. Thats ONE theory. On the other hand, it could also mean more people would drink and thus leading to more DUIs and fatter people.

[smoke]

^ Yeah, that's almost exactly what I just said in my last post. It could go both ways. Only time can tell.

How exactly has it been proven? I'm not buying this.

The United States has the highest drinking age, and yet we still have the biggest problem with alcohol. Every other country has a much lower drinking age and the accidents caused by the consumption of alcohol are much lower then the United States. Like I said, only time can tell. Americans could indeed be irresponsible about it and DUIs and such could increase. But I mean come on, America isn't that irresponsible. Even if it got out of hand, it would only be for a couple of years and I'm sure after that it would fade out.

[AngelinaTaylor]

^ You might be right, but I still doubt it.

[*ECD & C0*]

I think it should be lowerd to 18 but the people have to drink on there property and they ... have to have there parents "ok"..

yeah

[*I Shot JFK*]

^ Yeah, that's almost exactly what I just said in my last post. It could go both ways. Only time can tell.
The United States has the highest drinking age, and yet we still have the biggest problem with alcohol. Every other country has a much lower drinking age and the accidents caused by the consumption of alcohol are much lower then the United States. Like I said, only time can tell. Americans could indeed be irresponsible about it and DUIs and such could increase. But I mean come on, America isn't that irresponsible. Even if it got out of hand, it would only be for a couple of years and I'm sure after that it would fade out.

To add to that, in britain, where drinking ages are more liberal, the biggest problem with alcohol is with people age 20-25, NOT teenagers.

[31miracles]

I dont buy it either. Sure, if take away the glorification, less people would drink. Thats ONE theory. On the other hand, it could also mean more people would drink and thus leading to more DUIs and fatter people.

drinking makes you fat
didn't know that

[fameONE]

I'm in Japan at the moment. If you look old enough to drink, you'll get served alcohol. I have never seen an adult (18+) get carded when asking for a drink at a bar. I see young Japanese locals at the bar all the time, but rarely do you ever see them act like complete jackasses. Actually, I only see Americans acting like jackasses out in town.

The drinking age should be lowered, but this generation won't know how to handle the freedom. The ones to come, on the other hand, will deal with it just fine.

[*.fire*]

drinking makes you fat
didn't know that

Beer is makes you fat becuase it has alot of carbohydrates (largely sugars and starch) and other nuttritious stuff, thats why the egyptians gave it to the slaves because it was like an entire meal. LINKAGE

And some of you people are accounting that the problem with alcoholisim is due to the drinking age, I largely disagree as problems such as these have a sociological cause.

Here is Australia the largest demographic that abuses alcohol are the indigenous aboriginals who are in more lower classes which subjected to a cycle of poverty, as Aboriginals have concentrated themselves in poverty stricken areas which provide them with little education and health services. Lack of education lead to abuse of alcohol, and so on and so forth.

A reson why France may seem to have a lower amounts of alcohol abuse maybe due to that they dont have such a large class discrimination as America or Australia. Or that you havent done enough research to make such a sweeping state as to say "Countries like France do not have such a big drinking problem like the U.S. because they have no drinking age". France also has a drinking age, its 16.

[fameONE]

^well put

[mai_z]

If anyone's got any statistics and studies (with proof) to back up their arguments, i'm definately interested in seeing them. For now, I agree that kids are binge drinking because it's illegal and forbidden. Take away the novelty, and it's not such a big deal any more. I think that if you just tax it and make the price higher, it'll restrict drinkers to an older demographic (and rich kids), and take away the 'glamour'

[flaymzofice]

I can't be arsed to read every single post; I'm supposed to be doing an essay, haha - see, responsibility doesn't come with age (I'm 21 this year)

I'm a university student, and in Britain, that's basically code for your stereotypical hedonistic lifestyle of sex, drugs, and well, alcohol. I don't think a single one of my friends isn't a raging alcoholic and we do discuss the legal age for drinking.

We believe that having the limit at 18 means people are inclined to start earlier. People may get hideously drunk upon turning legal in the US but they also start drinking later, if I'm right? 18 may be the legal age at which drinking is permitted but the number of news reports I've seen where the statistics show an increasing number of kids as young as 11 are turning up to school with indecent hangovers (in Britain). Yes this may mean we're more used to drinking by the time we're legal, but it also means the alcohol tolerance level has increased to a level which many would consider dangerous (the more you drink, the more you need to drink to get drunk).

On the other hand, I don't think implementation of the legal drinking limit is as strict here as it is over there and that may be the reason turning 21 is celebrated so outrageously?

[shortnsweet88]

I do not believe that we should lower the drinking age. I see the points you have made...and they are good ones, but...

+Most teenagers drink before they turn 21
+By making people aware of how stupid the 21 shots on your 21st birthday is, they might not be so stupid.
+When you turn 18 you immediately feel a sense of freedom already...to add drinking to the list of things you can do might not be so smart.
+If you really want to drink before its legal, trust me...you will find a way.

[Joss-eh-lime]

ok. alcohol is poison. it hurts your body,
and impares your judgement, and can even ruin lives..the list can go on!
what good would letting a younger crowd intoxicate themselves bring?

[sweetangel2128]

This is actually a hard subject, I kinda think both ways but don't. I mean I do have to agree people in other Countries where there is either no drinking age or there is a low drinking age, the country is just better all the way around but at the same time I think the drinking age should stay at 21. But at the same time there really is no point cause a lot of people will not wait till there 21 to get alcohol. So, it's kinda 50/50 for me. :-/ And I do not think that someone waiting till there 21 is going to make them want to get drunk. I tried alcohol at 13..just a sip of beer and had some wine before I was 21 but I didn't actually drink a lot until I turned 21...I have never been drunk. Basically, when it comes to alcohol, I don't think it is the alcohol that is the problem but the people who abuse it.

[Anna-x-chan]

no way... gosh that would cause soo many more problems.
theres already enough people dead from drunk drivers.
give kids alcohol now will just set them for to be an alcoholic.

i personally dont think drinking alcoholic beverages should even be legal, but thats not gonna happen.

more rape, other sexual abuses& car accidents happen when theres drinking involved.

I agree.

[priyas]

no way... gosh that would cause soo many more problems.
theres already enough people dead from drunk drivers.
give kids alcohol now will just set them for to be an alcoholic.

i personally dont think drinking alcoholic beverages should even be legal, but thats not gonna happen.

more rape, other sexual abuses& car accidents happen when theres drinking involved.

agreed.

[*mishyerr*]

I agree.


Prohibition did NOTHING but bring up incredible amounts of "illegal" liquor. People who think that making drinking illegal will actually help "prevent" anything are dumb.

[Kontroll]

Should the United States get rid of their drinking age limit like many other countries?

I believe the United States should get rid of the drinking age.
It is actually safer not to have a drinking age. When many people in the U.S. reach the drinking limit, they celebrate by getting dangerously wasted. Countries like France do not have such a big drinking problem like the U.S. because they have no drinking age. Not having a drinking age will allow children to drink. If it's legal to drink, young people will become more mature. They won't have the joy of being a badass drinking underage. In China, almost everyone drinks, and there are a few accidents.

The drinking age in America cause hundred of thousands of people, celebrating being old enough to drink, getting rushed to emergency rooms every year.

WHAT?! That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. He have a drinking age for a reason. To be safe. Of course there are people out there...like me, who don't listen to it. Kids who generally drink underage are with people who have done it before. So, they are being supervised by professionals. Hahahha. But you know what I mean. Look at the countries who allow drinking at any age. They're fun, but have tons of problems.

Oh, and when you said that when people reach the age that they can drink, you said it was dangerous cause they would get dangerously wasted....What do you think would happen if we took away the age restriction? Huh? Haha.

Oh, and plus...Do you think that lowering the drinking age would make people more mature? That's not the answer. By far it's not the answer. That's dumb. Lower the drinking age..Pfft.

[*mishyerr*]

WHAT?! That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. He have a drinking age for a reason. To be safe. Of course there are people out there...like me, who don't listen to it. Kids who generally drink underage are with people who have done it before. So, they are being supervised by professionals. Hahahha. But you know what I mean. Look at the countries who allow drinking at any age. They're fun, but have tons of problems.

Oh, and when you said that when people reach the age that they can drink, you said it was dangerous cause they would get dangerously wasted....What do you think would happen if we took away the age restriction? Huh? Haha.

Oh, and plus...Do you think that lowering the drinking age would make people more mature? That's not the answer. By far it's not the answer. That's dumb. Lower the drinking age..Pfft.

Well, if you don't follow the drinking age, then why do you support it? I mean, you obviously have no regard for it, and there are plenty of others who are the same as you. Many of the teenagers who don't already drink don't drink because there's an age limit, they don't drink because of their morals.

I've been to drinking parties, but I have refused to get drunk and act like an idiot like the other people there. I would do the same if drinking were legal for me.

[Comptine]

this is how i look at it. the drinking age is 21. people can get a permit and get in a car when they are 16. however, it is quite evident that many teenagers can get alcohol whether or not they are 21. so therefore, we have dumb, drunk teens being able to do both drinking and/or driving.

however, if the law was flipped. let's say the drinking age is 18 and the driving age was 21. cars are much harder to obtain than a bottle of beer. therefore, kids would just be drinking without the privilege of a dangerous vehicle.

[*mishyerr*]

this is how i look at it. the drinking age is 21. people can get a permit and get in a car when they are 16. however, it is quite evident that many teenagers can get alcohol whether or not they are 21. so therefore, we have dumb, drunk teens being able to do both drinking and/or driving.

however, if the law was flipped. let's say the drinking age is 18 and the driving age was 21. cars are much harder to obtain than a bottle of beer. therefore, kids would just be drinking without the privilege of a dangerous vehicle.

wow, i never looked at it that way. this is an extremely good idea! ^_^

except i'd be irritated if i had to wait longer for my car. :/

actually, i think many people would disagree with this b/c kids around 16 and older need jobs, etc to prepare for college. :[

[Kontroll]

Well, just because I don't follow it doesn't mean it shouldn't be so. I am one of those, and there are others, that feel that things must come with maturity. Kids back in the early twentieth century used to drive because their parents thought they were mature enough. This age restriction is because there have been too many injuries or deaths from minors drinking, so they generalize people and say that we can't drink under 21.

I'm not saying I'm the most mature person in the world, sober or drunk, but I feel it's up to the individual. Nuff said, nigga.

[sweetangel2128]

however, if the law was flipped. let's say the drinking age is 18 and the driving age was 21. cars are much harder to obtain than a bottle of beer. therefore, kids would just be drinking without the privilege of a dangerous vehicle.

I kinda disagree. You say that it's harder to obtain a car..not really...all they have to do is buy one or borrow one from a friend, if they never break the laws of the road and look old enough to drive, chances are they will be able to obtain that vehicle. But of course, if they look under the age or do break the rules of the road..then okay.

Secondly, just because a car isn't involved doesn't mean there isn't other dangers. Lets see theres alcohol poisening possiblities and of course violent acts towards others.

Either way if your behind a vehicle or not, a lot of people are dangerous under the influence of alcohol.

[Kontroll]

^ Yeah, seriously. I know a kid who was 14 and driving. I mean, alot of kids look young and how can looks determine how old a person is? It can't. Oh, he drove drunk and was 14. Haha. How ironic to this topic.

[lovescream]

your brain matures at the average age of 21. i saw on a video that teens who drink damage their brain because it isn't fully developed and do worse at school then kids who have never touched alcohol. i kinda just wished that alcohol was totally illegal.. but then again, the points a lot of members have made here sound better off. i'd totally either go for completely illegal (but then it'd 'cause a lot of problems also), but yeah.. no age is good too.

[sweetangel2128]

[font=tahoma][size=1]your brain matures at the average age of 21.

I totally disagree on that one. Your maturity is NOT based on your age. I've seen 35 year olds who are as immature as a 10 year old child. I actually became mature at a young age..I think I was 16, I'm 24 now.

i saw on a video that teens who drink damage their brain because it isn't fully developed

What video is this? I'd like to see it! I don't believe the teens brains were damaged because of that reason..it doesn't matter if your 15 or 31...your brain will be damaged either way...alcohol is damaging but it also depends upon how much you drink..they actually say red wine is good for your heart.

[azndreamer]

I personally think that we are focusing on the wrong issue here. No matter what the drinking age is, people who want to drink will. Lowering/Raising/Abolishing it won't solve that problem. The common aspect in all drinking problems is that kids these days believe it's some heavenly ambrosia that they're just waiting to get their hands on. We should work toward getting them to realize the reality behind alcohol - the fact that it is basically poison for your body in excess and does little to no good the way teens regard it.

[lovescream]

I totally disagree on that one. Your maturity is NOT based on your age. I've seen 35 year olds who are as immature as a 10 year old child. I actually became mature at a young age..I think I was 16, I'm 24 now.

i meant your physical brain; the actual brain. not your mental one. i know people mature at different ages, but you're talking about the way they act/think. yeahhh.

What video is this? I'd like to see it! I don't believe the teens brains were damaged because of that reason..it doesn't matter if your 15 or 31...your brain will be damaged either way...alcohol is damaging but it also depends upon how much you drink..they actually say red wine is good for your heart.

It was a video we watched in sex ed. class. alcohol tied in with rape, so we watched it. Since, like I said up there, your brain doesn't fully develope until age of 21 (some people's develop earlier and some develop slower), it damages your brain more easily when it's still immature. But you're right, it damages anyone's brain who drinks alcohol. It's just that they were focusing on teens and alcohol on the video and made a point why teens shouldn't drink and should wait until the legal age.

[sweetangel2128]

i meant your physical brain; the actual brain. not your mental one. i know people mature at different ages, but you're talking about the way they act/think. yeahhh.

That makes no sense at all.

Your totally confusing me...I mean what do you mean your actual brain...your mental brain is your actual brain and maturity IS based on actions and the way you think and that is the whole purpose of your brain. I don't believe people are immature have more chances of brain damage...I just don't believe in that.

IMMATURE: emotionally undeveloped; juvenile; childish.

Now, if your talking brain capacity..then okay, but you put "immaturity" into it not brain "capacity"...

made a point why teens shouldn't drink and should wait until the legal age.

Well...yet I disagree again..one reason is because the only reason people think a young person should wait is not because of our the brain functions but because of the maturity level...when your older your more likely to be responsible when you drink...it has nothing to do with your brain being damaged...cause even if you do wait till your old enough, there are still chances of damages accuring.

[lovescream]

okay, maybe i'm just wording it really badly because you totally missed what i really meant.
I mean the video made a point why teens shouldn't drink and should wait until the legal age. I didn't say what points and what they told the class. Even though you can already tell that something they mentioned was about the brain maturing, it wasn't fully the 'point' of the video tried to get across.

As for the brain thing, i meant it MATURED fully.
Like you'd say someone has a MATURED body after puberty,
or someone who's preadolescent is IMMATURE. That kind.

[pic]

I feel like a lot of underage teens drink because it IS restricted...gives sort of a rebellious feel. It sounds ridiculous, and it is, but I bet it is true in some cases.

[sweetangel2128]

I feel like a lot of underage teens drink because it IS restricted...gives sort of a rebellious feel. It sounds ridiculous, and it is, but I bet it is true in some cases.

Yep! Afterall, rules ARE made for breaking lol...that's the way I see it anyways...people break the law because they can and because of the adrenaline rush.

[APairOf_IrishEye...]

People always want what they can not have.
With a lower drinking age there will be less of a thrill with underage drinking.

(And ill be honest i only opened this because i was intrigued with the title, because i partake in underage drinking )

[Comptine]

I kinda disagree. You say that it's harder to obtain a car..not really...all they have to do is buy one or borrow one from a friend, if they never break the laws of the road and look old enough to drive, chances are they will be able to obtain that vehicle. But of course, if they look under the age or do break the rules of the road..then okay.

Secondly, just because a car isn't involved doesn't mean there isn't other dangers. Lets see theres alcohol poisening possiblities and of course violent acts towards others.

Either way if your behind a vehicle or not, a lot of people are dangerous under the influence of alcohol.

you can't buy a car without massive amounts of money (which most teenagers do not have), a license/insurance/registration, or at least, someone 21+ to back you up (which usually would be your guardian).

as for friends lending their cars to underaged teenagers. highly unlikely. if the underaged teenager gets caught, the lender can potentially go to jail. also, how many drivers you know will give a teenager a car?

a six pack of beer is EXTREMELY different from a two-ton car.

maybe there will be kids who can get cars. however, it would be extraordinarily lower than kids who can get alcohol.

as for the other dangers, it could be applied to adults too. so should be ban for everyone? last time that happened, organized crime and mounds of wasted cash happened.

[gita]

it's such a touchy subject. my grandpa was an alchoholic, and it tore my family apart. i think lowering it to 18 makes a lot of sense - i mean, if you're a legal ADULT at 18, why wouldn't you be able to drink? if children were allowed to drink, they probably wouldn't think of alchohol as such an "untouchable" and wouldn't be as interested in getting drunk. so ditching the drinking age MIGHT be a good think. but on the other hand, getting rid of the drinking age might make kids MORE interested in drinking, and make them think alchohol is OK to have a lot and could become alchoholics.

[Joss-eh-lime]

as for the other dangers, it could be applied to adults too. so should be ban for everyone? last time that happened, organized crime and mounds of wasted cash happened.

its true..adults can hardly handle themselves when alcohol is involved. so a younger crowd shouldn't get the right to intoxicate themselves.

what good would letting a younger crowd intoxicate themselves bring?

[Comptine]

its true..adults can hardly handle themselves when alcohol is involved. so a younger crowd shouldn't get the right to intoxicate themselves.

what good would letting a younger crowd intoxicate themselves bring?

you agreed that adults can hardly handle themselves. then, they shouldn't be allowed to drink also.

[Joss-eh-lime]

^yeah. thats what i said in my earlier post

i personally don't think drinking alcoholic beverages should even be legal, but thats not gonna happen.

[crzyass145]

f**k yeah. no drinkin age. its tru tht many ppl get hospitalized or even die when they hit 21 cuz they are finally able 2 legally drink. and then i wont get in troubble @ parties any more.
no drinkin age like in argentina is better. thts why im goin ova tha summer.

[sweetangel2128]

you can't buy a car without massive amounts of money (which most teenagers do not have), a license/insurance/registration, or at least, someone 21+ to back you up (which usually would be your guardian).

as for friends lending their cars to underaged teenagers. highly unlikely. if the underaged teenager gets caught, the lender can potentially go to jail. also, how many drivers you know will give a teenager a car?

a six pack of beer is EXTREMELY different from a two-ton car.

maybe there will be kids who can get cars. however, it would be extraordinarily lower than kids who can get alcohol.

as for the other dangers, it could be applied to adults too. so should be ban for everyone? last time that happened, organized crime and mounds of wasted cash happened.

Incorrect. What if the parents give them that money. I've seen young teenagers driving around my town in fancy cars, speeding down the highway, I see it all the time. There's always ways to get that money, it doesn't have to come straight from a teenager not only that true most likely they wont get to buy the car but they can have someone else buy the car for them a.k.a parents.

Incorrect. Friends will allow others friends to drive their car. I've seen it happen before. Plus there is a chance that person could also steal there friends car to take a spin.

Yes, true a lot of adults are careless but most adults are more mature when it comes to alcohol for the most part, I am sure the percentage of teens with alcohol is probably a lot higher then adults. But that's just my opinion.

Yes, alcohol is different then a car but the thing is both can kill you. Cars=car accidents especially when alcohol is involved and alcohol can cause severe brain damage or even death, hence "alcohol poisening".

f**k yeah. no drinkin age. its tru tht many ppl get hospitalized or even die when they hit 21 cuz they are finally able 2 legally drink. and then i wont get in troubble @ parties any more.
no drinkin age like in argentina is better. thts why im goin ova tha summer.

I used to know someone that got hospitalized for drinking too much in one night, he almost lost his life (I don't think you'd be laughing or even saying what your saying now if you were in his position) oh and I also read in an article a 15 year old lost her life to binge drinking from alcohol poisening.

[AngelinaTaylor]

Yes, true a lot of adults are careless but most adults are more mature when it comes to alcohol for the most part, I am sure the percentage of teens with alcohol is probably a lot higher then adults. But that's just my opinion.

Stats? Are you only talking about the States?

[sweetangel2128]

Stats? Are you only talking about the States?

I'm talking in general. Not meaning all teens are this way so don't get me wrong but a BIG percentage are.

[AngelinaTaylor]

I'm talking in general. Not meaning all teens are this way so don't get me wrong but a BIG percentage are.

How do you know?

[sweetangel2128]

How do you know?

Because I've seen it and I've been around adults and young teenagers.

[Comptine]

Incorrect. What if the parents give them that money. I've seen young teenagers driving around my town in fancy cars, speeding down the highway, I see it all the time. There's always ways to get that money, it doesn't have to come straight from a teenager not only that true most likely they wont get to buy the car but they can have someone else buy the car for them a.k.a parents.

Incorrect. Friends will allow others friends to drive their car. I've seen it happen before. Plus there is a chance that person could also steal there friends car to take a spin.

Yes, true a lot of adults are careless but most adults are more mature when it comes to alcohol for the most part, I am sure the percentage of teens with alcohol is probably a lot higher then adults. But that's just my opinion.

Yes, alcohol is different then a car but the thing is both can kill you. Cars=car accidents especially when alcohol is involved and alcohol can cause severe brain damage or even death, hence "alcohol poisening".
I used to know someone that got hospitalized for drinking too much in one night, he almost lost his life (I don't think you'd be laughing or even saying what your saying now if you were in his position) oh and I also read in an article a 15 year old lost her life to binge drinking from alcohol poisening.

a car is still nevertheless harder to get than alcohol. maybe it's because we're from different places. i'm from nyc and most parents would not get a car for their kids here. insurance in the city is extremely expensive. and not that many kids know how to hot wire a car.

and adults are not more mature. there are alcoholics for a reason. there are adults out there who can't go through the day without their daily gin and tonic. alcohol is a dangerous substance. anyone at any age can fall victim to it.

here's the thing. i advocate a reasonable drinking age (18) and a higher driving age (21). someone binge drinking only (most often) does harm to themselves. it's their fault for drinking so much. but with a car, they potentially become a threat to everyone and themselves.

Alcohol involvement (AI)* among young drivers under age 21 and drivers ages 21 and older in fatal traffic crashes, United States, 1982–2004.

Adults get into MUCH more car crashes... why? cause they can drive AND drink at the same time. which is why the drinking age should be lower than the driving age. because if the driving age is earlier, teenagers can do both at the same time because it's quite easy to get alcohol. however, if they can only drink, it would drastically reduce the amount of alcohol related car crash fatalities because a car is harder to obtain than a giant bottle of grey goose.

edit:

Because I've seen it and I've been around adults and young teenagers.

just cause you've seen it doesn't mean it applies to the entire nation. you hang out with people your age and only see them consume alcohol. there's also adults at bars and taverns and pubs. adults you have wine/beer/alcohol with their dinner.

[AngelinaTaylor]

Because I've seen it and I've been around adults and young teenagers.

You've been around all the adults and teens in the US?

[sweetangel2128]

When I say in general or when I was talking about teenagers & adults I am not saying EVERY teenager or adult is that way but a huge ammount of them are. I just think adults are more mentally mature in a lot of cases, not all but a lot. No, I haven't been out of states, as I have stated, I am not referring to everyone.

Adults get into MUCH more car crashes... why? cause they can drive AND drink at the same time. which is why the drinking age should be lower than the driving age. because if the driving age is earlier, teenagers can do both at the same time because it's quite easy to get alcohol. however, if they can only drink, it would drastically reduce the amount of alcohol related car crash fatalities because a car is harder to obtain than a giant bottle of grey goose.
font]

Well last time I looked, it was teens that have gotten in more car accidents than adults. While a lot of people get into car accidents all together including adults teens pretty high up there. Everytime I watch the news and I hear about a car accident, it ALWAYS involves a teenager not being responsible, either due to drinking & driving or just driving carelessly.

[Comptine]

that's because news is selective. they are going to pick fatale teenage car crashes because it sends a message. people view teenage drunk driving as a huge problem which is why they would have news stories about it.

in nyc (i don't mean to sound racist), a lot of the crime news stories involve african americans. does that mean that african americans are criminals? or there are more african american criminals than other races?

and no. if you checked the link i gave you, in 2004: 1820 out of 8100 teenage fatale car crashes involved alcohol while 12269 out of 49397 adult fatale car crashes were alcohol related. even by percentages, adults overrun teenagers.

[WickedDreamer]

If it's legal to drink, young people will become more mature.

Just because you drink does not mean you are mature. It just makes you drunk... and we don't need drunk 14 year olds running around. I believe there are ups and downs to having the drinking age so "high." People get curious and do really stupid things, but people who are well above the drinking age go and get drunk- and crash their cars and kill people. It's not just the 21 year olds.

I think if drinking is done responsibly, even under age, great, go ahead and do it. Just don't kill people in the process.

[sweetangel2128]

[font=arial][size=1]
in nyc (i don't mean to sound racist), a lot of the crime news stories involve african americans. does that mean that african americans are criminals? or there are more african american criminals than other races?

Your right. But from what I hear NYC has one of the biggest crime rates in the U.S. but then again it's a big city and all big cities have major problems like that. I live in a small town. Not all African American's are criminals but a big proportion are just like other races.

Just because you drink does not mean you are mature.

EXACTLY.

There are young kids out there drinking, I've known 10 year olds to do it because older people are allowing it. There are even 30 year olds out their that drink that are immensly immature.

[oRe0_c00KiE_cAkE]

i honestly believe they should lower it to at least 18. if im allowed to drive and join the military at 18, then i dont see why we cant drink at 18 too.

yup...i agree

[31miracles]

Just because you drink does not mean you are mature. It just makes you drunk... and we don't need drunk 14 year olds running around. I believe there are ups and downs to having the drinking age so "high." People get curious and do really stupid things, but people who are well above the drinking age go and get drunk- and crash their cars and kill people. It's not just the 21 year olds.

I think if drinking is done responsibly, even under age, great, go ahead and do it. Just don't kill people in the process.

everytime I drink, do I get drunk... NO
drinking doesn't mean gettting drunk
there's a big difference

[31miracles]

thanks for everyone's input

I started this topic a year ago... and who knew I need to do a project on it this year :)

[Amaranthus]

in ohio it used to be 16 or 18 i think. my mom and her freinds used to sneak across the border to get some

[NYCin2009]

I agree that a lowered drinking age would make drinking less exciting among teens. Most teens do it to fit in witht he others who do it because it's bad and cool.

[USCavalry]

i say either no drinking age limit or put her down to 18. the whole example of going to war and dieing but not being alowed to drink is a classic example of how stupid the 21 age limit is.

as far as drinks go i'll drink w/e to get f**ked up, red wine is my drink of choice.

[xBUTTMUNCHx]

laws are being retarded.
ppo who propose laws should think.
and a drinking age limit thing w.e isnt going to stop whomever wants to drink.

some laws are just plain stupid.

[nishikigoi]

ioono if anyone mentioned it, but it has to do with development too. legally, you're an adult at 18 but there are still consequences on body and mind development. you also have to look at the consequence of taking away a law that was once there, or giving a freedom that once wasn't there legally to a certain population.

[1angel3]

I think UNITED STATES (I mean as a whole) is to IMMATURE to lower the drinking age, compared to the other countries.

[nishikigoi]

I think UNITED STATES (I mean as a whole) is to IMMATURE to lower the drinking age, compared to the other countries.

yep, that's kind of what i think. there are a whole lot of other factors going into it.

And to people talking about completely banning alcohol, please look up prohibition in the US on wikipedia or something. It DID happen, for like a year. If you're gonna argue for it, be intelligent about it.

[austinoutloud]

i dont think the drinking age shuold be lower
just think of all of the problems we ALREADY have with immature people drinking and driving.

and besides.
why not listemn to wise words of dane cook?

"i've never had a drink or a drug. i want someone who wants to feel the moments of life and doesn't need a substance to enhance or decrease the experience." - dane cook, to people.

[Joss-eh-lime]

f**k yeah. no drinkin age. its tru tht many ppl get hospitalized or even die when they hit 21 cuz they are finally able 2 legally drink. and then i wont get in troubble @ parties any more.
no drinkin age like in argentina is better. thts why im goin ova tha summer.

you are going there just to drink? i dont even see why drinking is such a great thing anyway.

[weed]

well by the time your 18 you get wasted ANYWAYS. so they shouldnt eliminate but maybe lower a tad bit.