BleepingComputer.com: Should The Legal Drinking Age In The U.S.A. Be Lowered?

From most of the responses to this question that I've seen, a lot of people seem to be confusing drinking with alcoholic drinking. The two compare in the same way a match compares to a burning house, or a hand grenade to a nuclear weapon.

The majority of people that drink are not chronic abusers of alcohol. The guy I mentioned that has a couple of beers on a Sunday afternoon might do that foe his whole life - without losing his driver's license, or job, or family, or home, and can be a happily productive and caring member of society until death finally takes him. And that same man's brother may end up on the long, miserable death-spiral of alcoholism.

Drinking and alcohol addiction are not synonymous. And alcoholism is no respecter of age. A surprising number of alcoholics didn't even start drinking 'til later in life. Or the two beers on Sunday guy might somehow slide over the edge one Sunday - at the age of fifty.

So no matter the age, it should be the same for all aspects of adulthood. "You're adult enough for this but not for that" is just about the epitomy of the double standard.

This post has been edited by MattV: 12 September 2007 - 11:01 PM

These does seem to be a lot of double-standards when it comes to 'legal age' to do various things. And if I understand this correctly, various States have various 'legal ages', to complicate things even more.

Wonder why it's not the same thoughout one entire Country (we have the same oddity here in Canada, too) and surely the legal drinking age and privilege of driving a car should coincide? Both are equally dangerous/safe.

And although perhaps slightly 'off topic' ... if one has to be 21 to legally drink in some areas, are these not the same areas that often say having sex with any child over 13 is not statutory rape? Hmmm. A drink can land you in jail but sleeping with a child not old enough to drink is okay. All very confusing.

http://media.www.dailytoreador.com/media/s...e-3420721.shtml

http://www.dbtechno.com/health/2008/09/08/...-lowered-to-18/

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&um=1...tnG=Search+News

Looks like over 100 university presidents' are supporting a new national debate to have the drinking age lowered, even the president of my uni is on the list.

[quote name='solaris32' post='594019' date='Aug 14 2007, 10:27 PM']I just read an MSNBC article about how some people are wanting the legal drinking age to be lowered from 21 to 18. Here's a link to the article:

[url="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20249460/?GT1=10252"]http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20249460/?GT1=10252[/url]

Personally, I strongly disagree with this idea. These young adults do not need the inhibitions that alcohol brings. Already, most are irresponsible and are drinking underage; what makes them deserve to have the age limit lowered? In my opinion, most 18 year olds are still immature and irresponsible, and should not have the responsibility that alcohol demands.[/quote]

you are right. but i will gladly send them to die in iraq. or let them vote into power the most important leader in the world. or smoke cigarettes. or be tried as adults. or buy lottery ticks. or gamble. or charge them for statutory rape. make them pay taxes. etc....

look, is that what your saying?

i guess so.

Great job USA!!!!!!!....?

[quote name='solaris32' post='594909' date='Aug 16 2007, 12:08 AM']At 18, you may be able to join the military and die for America's freedom, but that doesn't mean you should be allowed to consume mind-altering alcohol. Alcohol, when taken in excess, can cause you to do things you wouldn't normally do, and the average 18 year old is more prone to getting excessively drunk than a 21 year old. Sure 21 year olds often get excessively drunk, but I think there's more people doing it underage than there are people who are of the appropriate age. And as I said, the fact that so many people drink underage just shows their lack of immaturity and inability to obey the law. I don't think we should reward their disobedience by lowering the drinking age.[/quote]


wow. just wow. you just commented on a bunch of stuff that you have no idea about. show me a scientific and statistical study. you cant. you r probably just holed up in your moms basement playing half life all day

ryan w quick you only need to post once with the Quotes in 1 Post not 5 Posts with a Seperate Quotes in each 1 and there is a thing called Edit as well if you forget to add something in your Post.

About this Drinking Age to be Honest since I'm British the Drinking Age here is 18 and Drinking Ages across Europe as well are quite Low ours are quite High compared to some, 16 in Portugal for Example is there Drinking Age.
The thing is this is basically up to the Government and how they have always run it, I don't know how long the US has had it at that Drinking Age but if you loaded it I could guarantee a rise in Crime, Generally most People have a Respect and just go out Drinking and go back Home it is just a Minority that cause the Trouble and Violence. Although it may only be a Small rise in Crime it will be a Noticeable difference, in my Opinion it wouldn't matter if the Age was lower because who ever may cause the Trouble at 18 will still cause Trouble at 21.

It's all based on attitude of the Person in the First Place, so for me the US could leave it as it is or lower to 18 basically it is Debatable.

This post has been edited by woodyblade: 10 September 2008 - 09:13 AM

[quote name='woodyblade' post='940260' date='Sep 10 2008, 10:12 AM']ryan w quick you only need to post once with the Quotes in 1 Post not 5 Posts with a Seperate Quotes in each 1 and there is a thing called Edit as well if you forget to add something in your Post.

About this Drinking Age to be Honest since I'm British the Drinking Age here is 18 and Drinking Ages across Europe as well are quite Low ours are quite High compared to some, 16 in Portugal for Example is there Drinking Age.
The thing is this is basically up to the Government and how they have always run it, I don't know how long the US has had it at that Drinking Age but if you loaded it I could guarantee a rise in Crime, Generally most People have a Respect and just go out Drinking and go back Home it is just a Minority that cause the Trouble and Violence. Although it may only be a Small rise in Crime it will be a Noticeable difference, in my Opinion it wouldn't matter if the Age was lower because who ever may cause the Trouble at 18 will still cause Trouble at 21.

It's all based on attitude of the Person in the First Place, so for me the US could leave it as it is or lower to 18 basically it is Debatable.[/quote]

i believe it was 18, and changed to 21 in 1984.

my real issue is that in the USA, at 18, you become an adult by almost every letter of the law, except drinking and i think maybe carying a firearm. my only issue with this is: i think you are either an adult, or you are not. its like they are saying, "you're an adult, but not quite adult enough to drink." in a country where we let 18 year olds do far more dangerous things than drink. like i dont know, die in a war.

[quote name='woodyblade' post='940260' date='Sep 10 2008, 03:12 PM']The thing is this is basically up to the Government and how they have always run it, I don't know how long the US has had it at that Drinking Age but if you loaded it I could guarantee a rise in Crime[/quote]

Oh looks like a Spelling Error by me, should be Lower was at College for time of Post so wasn't concentrating too much on writing this post.

[quote name='ryan_w_quick' post='940410' date='Sep 10 2008, 05:39 PM']i believe it was 18, and changed to 21 in 1984.

my real issue is that in the USA, at 18, you become an adult by almost every letter of the law, except drinking and i think maybe carying a firearm. my only issue with this is: i think you are either an adult, or you are not. its like they are saying, "you're an adult, but not quite adult enough to drink." in a country where we let 18 year olds do far more dangerous things than drink. like i dont know, die in a war.[/quote]

Yeah it's a Odd way of running things, I've never understood why the US Government does that but they must have a reason for having it at that Drinking Age. I can't see any Good Reason myself.

Well?

The World is a bit Crazy at times?

Here in Australia the Legal Age for BEING Served Alcohol is 18? BUT there is no Age Limit for actually Drinking it in Private.Same applies to Cigarettes. For example, an Adult 18 or over can purchase either Product and give it to someone younger, not Sell it to them. crazy?

When I was 17, many years ago, the age for being served in a Pub was 18, but you could not enter a Club until 21. I was in the Military then and could Drink whatever I wanted at the Canteen, but legally could not be Served in a Pub.

I have had two Families of Kids and have always allowed them to have a sip of beer if they wanted it, no matter what their age. Not one turned out to be an Alcoholic, they just weren't that interested in either Smoking or Drinking. Yep, if they asked me if they could try a puff on a Smoke, I let them try a very strong Brand and they rarely came back for another one.

Like quite a few people have commented, it is not fair that 18 year olds are treated as Adults in all other ways, then considered too immature to Smoke or Drink. That is just double Standards and people should be ashamed of themselves for even thinking about it.

My Mate's Kid attended the "Schoolies Weekend" last year, (It is held on the Gold Coast, Queensland at School break up. Kids come from all over Australia for it.) Poor Chris, my Mate's Kid was walking down the road with an opened can of Beer in his Hand. That is a NoNo even for an Adult, so he got a $250 Fine and a Wake up Call!

I think that is a Better Idea? No way will Chris do that again in his life.

We all conviently forget what we did as Kids and Really think that we can pull the Wool over our Kids eyes?
They are a lot smarter than that.

[quote name='Abacus 7' post='940496' date='Sep 10 2008, 02:34 PM']Well?

The World is a bit Crazy at times?

Here in Australia the Legal Age for BEING Served Alcohol is 18? BUT there is no Age Limit for actually Drinking it in Private.Same applies to Cigarettes. For example, an Adult 18 or over can purchase either Product and give it to someone younger, not Sell it to them. crazy?

When I was 17, many years ago, the age for being served in a Pub was 18, but you could not enter a Club until 21. I was in the Military then and could Drink whatever I wanted at the Canteen, but legally could not be Served in a Pub.

I have had two Families of Kids and have always allowed them to have a sip of beer if they wanted it, no matter what their age. Not one turned out to be an Alcoholic, they just weren't that interested in either Smoking or Drinking. Yep, if they asked me if they could try a puff on a Smoke, I let them try a very strong Brand and they rarely came back for another one.

Like quite a few people have commented, it is not fair that 18 year olds are treated as Adults in all other ways, then considered too immature to Smoke or Drink. That is just double Standards and people should be ashamed of themselves for even thinking about it.

My Mate's Kid attended the "Schoolies Weekend" last year, (It is held on the Gold Coast, Queensland at School break up. Kids come from all over Australia for it.) Poor Chris, my Mate's Kid was walking down the road with an opened can of Beer in his Hand. That is a NoNo even for an Adult, so he got a $250 Fine and a Wake up Call!

I think that is a Better Idea? No way will Chris do that again in his life.

We all conviently forget what we did as Kids and Really think that we can pull the Wool over our Kids eyes?
They are a lot smarter than that.

[/quote]


i'm not saying you shouldnt let your children sample alcohol, but that is not good advice for everyone. many families have genetic anomylies that make them more prone to alcoholism. i'm only saying that people should warn their children about dangers like this, cause you cant control them foreever. and ultimately everyone is responsible for his/her onw actions

18 in America

You can apply for a loan

legally sign a contract

buy cigarettes

be held fully accountable for your actions in a court of law, including be charged and convicted as an "adult"

legally consent to sex (in any state by the age of 18)

Heck here is a little out-dated list of 100 things you can do when you're 18. (some have changed but most of them are still true).


http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1...age=2&cat=2

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=t...mp;aq=f&oq=

This post has been edited by yano: 16 September 2008 - 05:49 PM

[quote name='MaraM' post='618185' date='Sep 14 2007, 02:09 PM']These does seem to be a lot of double-standards when it comes to 'legal age' to do various things. And if I understand this correctly, various States have various 'legal ages', to complicate things even more.

Wonder why it's not the same thoughout one entire Country (we have the same oddity here in Canada, too) and surely the legal drinking age and privilege of driving a car should coincide? Both are equally dangerous/safe.

And although perhaps slightly 'off topic' ... if one has to be 21 to legally drink in some areas, are these not the same areas that often say having sex with any child over 13 is not statutory rape? Hmmm. A drink can land you in jail but sleeping with a child not old enough to drink is okay. All very confusing.[/quote]


i believe that back in 1984 the states made a deal with nat government that if they increased their drinking ages to 21 they would get more funding for hiways. dont quote me on that though. i just think i heard that somewhere

[quote name='ryan_w_quick' post='958247' date='Sep 28 2008, 01:21 AM'][quote name='MaraM' post='618185' date='Sep 14 2007, 02:09 PM']These does seem to be a lot of double-standards when it comes to 'legal age' to do various things. And if I understand this correctly, various States have various 'legal ages', to complicate things even more.

Wonder why it's not the same thoughout one entire Country (we have the same oddity here in Canada, too) and surely the legal drinking age and privilege of driving a car should coincide? Both are equally dangerous/safe.

And although perhaps slightly 'off topic' ... if one has to be 21 to legally drink in some areas, are these not the same areas that often say having sex with any child over 13 is not statutory rape? Hmmm. A drink can land you in jail but sleeping with a child not old enough to drink is okay. All very confusing.[/quote]


i believe that back in 1984 the states made a deal with nat government that if they increased their drinking ages to 21 they would get more funding for hiways. dont quote me on that though. i just think i heard that somewhere
[/quote]

1984?

Most of you was Babies or not even born?

Oldies will remember it well from that Era!

That was when a Man said what he Thought as he Felt at the Time, never a Worry about Government then!

[quote name='Abacus 7' post='958299' date='Sep 27 2008, 12:43 PM'][quote name='ryan_w_quick' post='958247' date='Sep 28 2008, 01:21 AM'][quote name='MaraM' post='618185' date='Sep 14 2007, 02:09 PM']These does seem to be a lot of double-standards when it comes to 'legal age' to do various things. And if I understand this correctly, various States have various 'legal ages', to complicate things even more.

Wonder why it's not the same thoughout one entire Country (we have the same oddity here in Canada, too) and surely the legal drinking age and privilege of driving a car should coincide? Both are equally dangerous/safe.

And although perhaps slightly 'off topic' ... if one has to be 21 to legally drink in some areas, are these not the same areas that often say having sex with any child over 13 is not statutory rape? Hmmm. A drink can land you in jail but sleeping with a child not old enough to drink is okay. All very confusing.[/quote]


i believe that back in 1984 the states made a deal with nat government that if they increased their drinking ages to 21 they would get more funding for hiways. dont quote me on that though. i just think i heard that somewhere
[/quote]

1984?

Most of you was Babies or not even born?

Oldies will remember it well from that Era!

That was when a Man said what he Thought as he Felt at the Time, never a Worry about Government then!


[/quote]

well now the government is all about making nazi laws that they cant even enforce. laws where they catch less than 1 in 1000 violators. i wonder if for each instance by each individual for underage drinking, how many are actually caught? not very hi percentage im guessing

In 1984, I was enjoying life in the Marine Corps, specifically, in North Carolina. The drinking age, both on and off base, was 18 for beer and 21 for hard liquor. Fast forward a few years to Okinawa, Japan. The drinking age(s) on base was/were the same. Fast forward another year ahead and on a God forsaken base in California, the same rules applied, but off base, the age was 21...period. Shortly after this, the "21" law went into affect everywhere in the U.S.

How about this twist: A person can enlist in the military at 17 but not vote. He/she can vote at 18 but not drink. We ask out young adults to put their lives on the line and in the same breath say, "You aren't responsible enough to cast a ballot, let alone consume alcohol". Don't get me wrong, I'm not in favor of selling alcohol to avery 18 year old that comes along and I know several 40....ish people that still cast their vote based on the candidate's appearance. My parents "allowed" me to drink at home when I was 17. I came home slightly inebriated one evening and woke up the next morning wishing I only had to deal with a hangover. Rarely since then have I "tied one on".

As with anything, supervision and moderation are very important factors here. If my under-21 kids wanted to have a drink at home, I would probably allow it. Would I let them leave afterwards? No way! Nor would I want them to seek out alcohol providing resources outside the home. Bottom line--if they want to try alcohol, I would rather they do it at home under my supervision and, as weird as this may sound, under my guidance. With me, being allowed to have a beer at home took the majority of the mystique and "coolness" out of it when it was offered in public.