Should drinking age be lowered to 18

[NineOfClubs]

In my opinion, yes.

If you can vote and can die for your country, you should be able to drink alcohol.

Otherwise, raise the voting age and the age one can join the military.

 

[saymyname]

I think in the US, the fact that the drinking age is so steep is what makes drinking such a big deal. It adds unnecessary mystery to it, which is why as soon as teenagers can finally get their hands on it, they go overboard. If the culture in general was more relaxed about it, more people would drink in moderation. Then again, maybe they just have a culture of overindulgence in general.

 

[NineOfClubs]

I think in the US, the fact that the drinking age is so steep is what makes drinking such a big deal. It adds unnecessary mystery to it, which is why as soon as teenagers can finally get their hands on it, they go overboard. If the culture in general was more relaxed about it, more people would drink in moderation. Then again, maybe they just have a culture of overindulgence in general.

No, I think you may be right.

The fact that sit'somehow "forbidden" makes drinking more enticing.

If parents drank a bit of alcohol around the dinner table with their young children, and taught them moderation, we might not see the shocking statistics we see about youth drinking and its consequences....

 

[kevbo]

All I know is I can usually spot someone who isn't from Wisconsin because they're usually the sloppy drunks.

If that says anything.

 

[Under-taken]

I'd support 21 Legal Drinking Age in Australia given no alternative, due to our high alcohol-related road tolls and general irresponsibility to alcohol consumption.

If instead they could manage it better, 18 is a reasonable age, more police or stricter regulation to control the amount though would be a good step!

 

[geloge]

It's 18 here in Spain too, some years ago it was 16 for wine, beer, cider... Crazy country, I know good

 

[talbot57]

The legal age here in the UK is already 18. What always amazes me though in the UK is that you can have sex at 16, but can't view porn until 18.

 

[LiquidSky]

I'm 47. When I was in high school, the legal drinking age was 19. Naturally, this didn't hender be to purchase beer at age 16. Good times!

 

[Elwood]

No matter what age it is , if kids want to drink they will find a way. It is 18 here in Quebec and I think that is a good age.

 

[Corny]

legally drinking alcohol since 16, had my wild years until 20 and since then started to enjoy it rather than just getting drunk.

The problem with the dringing age is that no matter what age you choose - at a certain point (imho around 15-16) kids will get curious and they will get their hands on alcohol.

If they are doing it "illegally" they always will be out of control. If they are doing it "legally" you can have a bit more control.

When I started drinking beer with 16 in the beginning it was mostly with my parents and family at family birthdays or holidays etc. My uncles and older cousins had their fun watching me getting drunk but they also kept an eye on me. Of course I went drinking with my friends as well, but then I already knew my limits .. which doesn't mean that I stuck within them, but I already knew the experience

 

[MercuryJones]

I believe in consistency of law. If the law holds that one can be responsible enough at age 18 to enter the army, take on debt, form binding contracts etc, one should be old enough to decide to drink or not.

 

[Beachguyj]

No fuck em. I had to wait for 21 and so should they.

I do think at 18 they should be allowed to drink only beer and wine in a private home but not allowed to buy it.

and if you think drunk driving is a problem now imagine 18, 19 and 20 year olds on the road drunk.

 

[kinski]

Having a ridiculously high drinking age is not the right way to prevent drunk driving, educating people about the dangers of it and making it socially "uncool" is the best way.

There should be one age for everything, including drinking, and 18 is a fine age to use.

 

[Pushyourluck]

Yeah I started drinking when I was about 14 on and off and when I hit around 16 I really started to take alcohol up as a hobby. I remember walking into an off licence to buy booze when I was 16 and because I looked older than I was, got served so I was popular in school.
In the UK there's this terrible drinking culture rooted in the core of our beings that we work long and hard all week and when the weekend comes we get pissed and go wild to let off some steam.
18 year olds can marry and go to war and die for their country. They can vote and run businesses and take foreign holidays but they can't drink legally? It just baffles me.

 

[saymyname]

legally drinking alcohol since 16, had my wild years until 20 and since then started to enjoy it rather than just getting drunk.

The problem with the dringing age is that no matter what age you choose - at a certain point (imho around 15-16) kids will get curious and they will get their hands on alcohol.

If they are doing it "illegally" they always will be out of control. If they are doing it "legally" you can have a bit more control.

When I started drinking beer with 16 in the beginning it was mostly with my parents and family at family birthdays or holidays etc. My uncles and older cousins had their fun watching me getting drunk but they also kept an eye on me. Of course I went drinking with my friends as well, but then I already knew my limits .. which doesn't mean that I stuck within them, but I already knew the experience

I think you have a really good point here. I had a similar experience. When I was 15/16, my Dad would let me drink at his house, knowing I was getting totally wasted. I asked him why he didn't mind and he said he'd rather let me experience those first couple of times getting really drunk in a safe environment where nothing bad can happen. By the time I was going to parties in high school, I already knew where my limits were, things like that.

 

[Shepherd 2]

The difference between the legal drinking age in the USA and the age when young people begin to drink is about ten years. The average boy or girl has already been drunk at least once by age eleven.

In the USA because our young people are so immature, I favor keeping it at 21 and enforcing it across the board. The path of destruction for themselves and so many innocents who happen to be in their paths is one of the tragic memories of my own life time.

In Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe and Asia do what is best there.
I support you, but the penalties should be life changing and strict everywhere.

Shep+

 

[sabot3ur]

and if you think drunk driving is a problem now imagine 18, 19 and 20 year olds on the road drunk.

you don't have to imagine it, they already are.

I'd support the age being lowered to 18 or 19. but I do think decriminalizing marijuana would be such a better change.

 

[Beachguyj]

Having a ridiculously high drinking age is not the right way to prevent drunk driving, educating people about the dangers of it and making it socially "uncool" is the best way.

There should be one age for everything, including drinking, and 18 is a fine age to use.

are you on SFN?

 

[Beachguyj]

you don't have to imagine it, they already are.

I'd support the age being lowered to 18 or 19. but I do think decriminalizing marijuana would be such a better change.

Some already are, but if you let all of them drink at 18 the problem will get out of hand.

 

[Beachguyj]

In the USA because our young people are so immature, I favor keeping it at 21 and enforcing it across the board. The path of destruction for themselves and so many innocents who happen to be in their paths is one of the tragic memories of my own life time.

Kids are kids everywhere they are not more immature in the US.