Legal Drinking Age Options

[*Kathleen*]

So my civics class was talking about it the other day, and I thought I'd like to share with you guys: Do you think the legal drinking age should be raised or lowered? Now, here's how I stand on this: I think it should be kept the same, although if I were to choose between raising or lowering it, I would definitely pick raising it. Here are my points.

-There are too many accidents that can be prevented because of drunk drivers. Now, I know what you're thinking: there are people out there who are of legal drinking age who already get in accidents. Those can be stopped, too, though. I'm just saying here that a few of the whole can be prevented by keeping the new, drunk drivers off the road by raising it. I think the average age to drive nowadays is sixteen (it is in Pennsylvania), and if you wait two years opposed to given the chance to drive and drink, then you would've had experience there. *Thinks to herself...yeah, I think I covered most things on that*

-Next, you might say: Well, we can fight for our country at eighteen. Okay, now I can easily refute this a few ways. Yes, you are (most of the time) handed a gun when you join our military, but...THIS IS FOR A GOOD CAUSE! You're handed a beer can...that's not helping our country in any way. See my point? Also, you must realize that by going through the service, you will [most likely] come out a better, more mature person. So what if you're able to serve your country at eighteen...who says that you're already mature enough to drink then?

-Third, this is not discrimination against teenagers. Obviously, your age will change. You can't change [most of the time...heh...*Thinks of Michael Jackson*] the color of your skin nor your gender [thinks again...most of the time!]. See my point?

-Lastly (I think), I looked around the room in my civics class to find that the only people wanting the legal drinking age lowered were those that drink already. Okay, we can't stop all the idiots who want to waste away their lives at that from drinking, but if it is highered or more strict, their chances of being caught and punished is higher.

So yeah, I think I made my point...heh...I'm about to leave, but yeah I hope this thread doesn't die soon.

[hair products]

nice =)

i guess I'm okay with it, but raising it would probably be better for the overall community.

I'm tired of friends buying drinks for me(even though it's free sometimes =D). Trying to get a fake id anyway =P. I'm responsible enough not to drive drunk. Yet it's like once you get to that age.. you feel old. I don't want to be old!!!

[*Kathleen*]

Yeah...I do believe that there are people responsible enough to know not to drive when they're drunk, but for the most part, people in society are retarded and will do it anyways.

[LiNHy POO]

i keep it the same.... if we lowered it.... all us young ppl will be be drunk and passed out...

[pbear]

I'd raise it...I doubt it'd do much though, seeing as kids I know have already tried alcohol, even go as far as getting drunk. I'm scared for one of my friends who has alcohol once in awhile because when he's drunk, he gets violent and uncontrollable.

[lookitskim]

I think it should be kept the same... well it doesn't really matter cause some kids will still find a way to get it some how.. . It's just that they can't go buy it themselves.. they have friends go buy it for them... I used to be one of them but now i'm over 21 it's not fun anymore..

[Mireh]

if it were to be raised, people younger would be tempted to drink.

[phatty]

i dunno i think it should be lowered to 18 cause that's when you're a legal adult

[*Kathleen*]

i dunno i think it should be lowered to 18 cause that's when you're a legal adult

Yeah, I think my talking about being able to serve covers this.

-Also, Val, yes, people will be tempted to drink, but if stricter laws were set, it might have an effect, as I said before. Furthermore, some of the kids that do it now are probably a year away or a couple years away from turning twenty-one. Now, they probably get away with it at sometimes for being so close to that age. Say it were to be raised...they wouldn't be able to get away as easily, see?

[aud_chua]

i don't really think that it will change because.. the law has been around for quite a while.. and law enforcement isn't really doing much.. there are still young adults who are driving under the influence of alcohol.. sometimes, youngsters even get the drinks from some older people..
i really think that the issue here is the way a child is raised.. if they were taught properly, they wouldn't think of drinking at such a young age.. maybe not drink at all..! it's bad for the kidney, you know..! ^^;
but in any case, i think that the age limit is alright the way it is.. but yes, i agree with others about raising the limit.. cuz even at 21, some people can't control themselves..

[f00LisH_h3aRt63]

i think it should be kept the same. i mean yea it would be soo awesome if we could be legally drinking at the age of 18 but somehow it feels like too young of age. 21 is a good age...hMM yea! lOL

jackie

[DisneyPrincessKa...]

I have fights for both.

Raised
-People are really immature these days, face it, even people in their 30's can't hold their alcohol all the time
-It can cause a lot of problems in socitey, so if you're older you'll hopefully know what you're doing
-If it's kept away for long enough you might lose interest
-It has a lot of health risks, if it's lowered too low you might not know them.
-More experience behind the wheel might help you to know when to not drive.

Lowered
-If you can die in battle why can't you drink?
-They're doing it anyway
-Other countries have no problems with people drinking at young ages.
-It would lower crime, because there would be less underage drinking.

You can make good arguments for both sides, so I'd say keep it the same.

[WhiteChocolate]

I'd say lowered to 18, too. I had a good argument, but just as soon as I hit the "add reply" button, it all went away!! grr...

[stryker76]

Well i think it should be lowered...we are debating this in my class and i didnt want it but i got stuck debating this side...and i have come to find out something interesting...Most countries have the drinking age at 18...some even lower....they have found that even though the drinking age is low...few teens drink....much of the time teens drink to rebel against those that make the laws to try and "prove" something.....so with thew drinking age lower they cant get introuble for doin it....so they dont drink as much.....i have a foreign exchange student in my school from germany....the drink age there is 18...he says many of his friends drink....but do not get wasted or drunk...because what is the point there is no adventure in it when its illegal.....

[craziplaya21]

i jus dont care cuz i dont drink

[*NatiMarie*]

I don't even know. I mean sometimes I get tempted to drink but I wouldn't over do it. It's really dumb to get drunk and wasted. I think if we did lower the age, then young adults (teenagers) would be drinking and committing worse accidents. *sigh* It's always a risk because in all ages, there will always be accidents (DUI's), and sometimes it can't be prevented. I just think that the age should be kept where it's at. *stands proud and tall*

[*Kathleen*]

Well i think it should be lowered...we are debating this in my class and i didnt want it but i got stuck debating this side...and i have come to find out something interesting...Most countries have the drinking age at 18...some even lower....they have found that even though the drinking age is low...few teens drink....much of the time teens drink to rebel against those that make the laws to try and "prove" something.....so with thew drinking age lower they cant get introuble for doin it....so they dont drink as much.....i have a foreign exchange student in my school from germany....the drink age there is 18...he says many of his friends drink....but do not get wasted or drunk...because what is the point there is no adventure in it when its illegal.....

Well, you have to realize that those countries aren't the United States. They have other laws, too. One problem I see with the United States is the fact that we're too lenient (sp?) on many things, and this is one of them. People are letting all these accidents go, not being careful. People are ignorant to what will happen when they get behind the wheel, drunk, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE TOLD MILLIONS OF TIMES! Sheesh.

-If you can die in battle why can't you drink?
-They're doing it anyway
-Other countries have no problems with people drinking at young ages.
-It would lower crime, because there would be less underage drinking.

Okay, if you read my whole long opening paragraph, I already refuted that first point. The second point, I'm pretty sure I made it clear that it will stop more of them from doing it. Third point, I just refuted that in this post previously. Last point, it's not a guarantee that the younger kids aren't still going to do it. They'll see that the police think it's okay for people to drink that are younger than twenty-one, and in fact, they'll join with them. I'm sure they have friends closer to their age at eighteen, and can get alcohol easier that way. Anything else?

[xjjajeengx]

Well, it's not like im going to start drinking any time soon (hopefully ) so pshhhhhh dosnt really matter to me...

But, i think for the long-term success of our country (woot.. two-syllable words uh huh) the drinking age should be kept the same or raised. Even though raising it would mean more work for cops, honestly... dont you think having more work for them is a good thing, rather than eating donuts all day? JUST KIDDING did not intend to offend anyone. But, what I'm trying to say is that cops having more work means more pay (hopefully) for them... i ono. i've confused myself. Also, I'm pretty sure if we raise the drinking age, then the nation will come up with some stricter law for underage drinking.

But then again... so many people are already drinking nowadays...

[to_god_damn_ghet...]

haha...don't smoke drink coke! Drinking should be banned cause coke makes me hyper enough! Yup i'm a spoiler!

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i'm 14 year's old with a preschool brain and i'm proud! -> mi xangha <-

[tkproduce]

lower the age limit and get rid of guns, that's what I say

[Winter]

Well, you have to realize that those countries aren't the United States. They have other laws, too. One problem I see with the United States is the fact that we're too lenient (sp?) on many things, and this is one of them. People are letting all these accidents go, not being careful. People are ignorant to what will happen when they get behind the wheel, drunk, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE TOLD MILLIONS OF TIMES! Sheesh.

Yeah, the United States is very lenient. Our government recently changed the driving age to 21. They say it's because it's the teens that mostly get into car acidents. Psst.

Well I honestly don't really care what the legal age is. As long as I get my supply who cares. Haha nah I'm just kidding.

But really there's no point in a legal age coz if someone really wants booze, they can easily get it. It's just up to the person really.

[*Kathleen*]

That's the thing - if they were to raise it, then they'd definitely be more strict...therefore, watching people to make sure they don't have easy access to it. Granted, there are flaws in every system, but this would just make it so that deaths are prevented. I agree, Grace - cops would be more alert, and this would help decrease accidents. They need to start doing their jobs.

[LatinaLady]

i think it should be stayed how it is. i dont think it should be raised cuz then crime in achol related will increase.

[kraziegrl]

i think it should be kept the same... if it was lowerd, = MORE TIPSY PEOPLE

but .. i bet the govt had a reason for this age. [better than mine]

[*Kathleen*]

I'm pretty sure the government's reason was public welfare. Twenty-one is a good age to have enough experience, and maturity (hopefully, although I beg to differ) to make the right decisions with drinking.

P.S. This is my 2,700th post.