NationStates Jolt Archive

About 30 years ago, the drinking age was 18 years of age. People were responsible and people understood the chances taken when being drunk. Today, you have to sign up for the selective service on your 18th birthday yet you aren't allowed to drink. If you old enough to fight, then you're old enough to drink!

Because drinking is bad. Y'hear me?! *slaps* I should send you off to the army, boy... *drinks tequila from bottle*

Why should there be a drinking age at all?

Such is the stupid nature of the law ...

What do servicemen do after a hard day's work?
Go to bar and drink.

*drinks tequila from bottle*
Hey, I never said you could drink from me! You ought to at least take me out to dinner first...;)

About 30 years ago, the drinking age was 18 years of age. People were responsible and people understood the chances taken when being drunk. Today, you have to sign up for the selective service on your 18th birthday yet you aren't allowed to drink. If you old enough to fight, then you're old enough to drink!

Well the big problem is the federal government. The states could change the age if they wanted to but the federal government will cut highway funding and states don't want that to happen. So basically the federal government is coercing the states to keep the drinking age at 21.

Well, the fact is, many other European and Asian countries have low drinking ages. (Or no drinking ages) But, America seems to have more *abusers*. So, until the American people can learn to be more responsible with alcohol, the drinking age should remain where it is.

Why should there be a drinking age at all?


We have a purchasing age and a drinking in public places age but other than that you can get pissed all you like on private property (or in the company of your parent at a restaurant). Is this the type of thing you mean, or do you mean that anyone should be able to get chopped where ever at any age?

Hey, I never said you could drink from me! You ought to at least take me out to dinner first...;)

You keep tequila there? Hey, i'm all yours! :D

We have a purchasing age and a drinking in public places age but other than that you can get pissed all you like on private property (or in the company of your parent at a restaurant). Is this the type of thing you mean, or do you mean that anyone should be able to get chopped where ever at any age?
I don't see any reason for the government to be wasting time and money deciding an arbitrary age at which people become magically old enough to drink alcohol.

If a person of ANY age behaves in a dangerous or illegal manner while intoxicated then they should be prosecuted, but otherwise it's their own damn business what they put into their body. If parents are concerned about their kids drinking then they might consider a novel idea like, say, parenting.

The drinking age only seems to affect alcohol sales to those legally allowed to who are allowed to consume it. It does not stop kiddies stealing their parent's alcohol hoard or illegally getting it using an older sibling.

The drinking age only seems to affect alcohol sales to those legally allowed to who are allowed to consume it. It does not stop kiddies stealing their parent's alcohol hoard or illegally getting it using an older sibling.


Ahhh rocket fuel. The art of taking a little bit from each of your parents liquer bottles and mixing it together to get hammered at age 15.

I think it's simply stupid.

If you're old enough to sign away your soul legally (aka, join the military), vote, own/sell estate et cetera, then one is surely mature enough to drink.

About 30 years ago, the drinking age was 18 years of age. People were responsible and people understood the chances taken when being drunk. Today, you have to sign up for the selective service on your 18th birthday yet you aren't allowed to drink. If you old enough to fight, then you're old enough to drink!

Maybe it's because you damn kids today just aren't as responsible as they were 30 years ago..... :p

Ahhh rocket fuel. The art of taking a little bit from each of your parents liquer bottles and mixing it together to get hammered at age 15.

I did that once at a school sports day. It was fun.

Well the big problem is the federal government. The states could change the age if they wanted to but the federal government will cut highway funding and states don't want that to happen. So basically the federal government is coercing the states to keep the drinking age at 21.

Is the big problem the federal governemnt itself or completely out of control insurance industry's ability to fund "special interest" pressure groups and line the pockets of poiticians through their unrestricted lobby efforts?

If you follow the money you will find it interesting that virtually every sort of freedom lost in the US for the past thirty years has its roots somehow attached all or in part to that paticular industry.

Seems sad a country based on freedom is so socially illiberal.

Higher drinking ages mean but one thing.

More younger people being drunk.

The question should not be at what age should one legally be able to drink, but at what age should one legally be able to deal with the consequences of drinking.

Personally I think that age falls at 16, but I'm perfectly happy to chime in with 18 (as in my country, the UK). Even here we have children running around with bottles of 'white lightening' (cheap cider) get drunk and causing damage to local property. I've been a barman, and it CAN be hard to decide the age of a person in modern times but it's something you start to learn pretty quick.

I see no reason why the age "shouldn't" be 18 in the US, but as equally I don't see any reason as to why not. The last year of Highschool, start of College, I can see for myself that in terms of events, why this is both a good and bad thing.

For one, people aren't just discovering it together, they're jumping into a pool with older people and don't know how to begin. In a way this can be a good thing, alot of people will get so sick from drink they'll just say never again. While those that have the constitution for it may carry on.

There's no definitive "age" for drinking, if anything it's more a personal thing, irrespective of law.

About 30 years ago, the drinking age was 18 years of age. People were responsible and people understood the chances taken when being drunk. Today, you have to sign up for the selective service on your 18th birthday yet you aren't allowed to drink. If you old enough to fight, then you're old enough to drink!
Thirty years ago? Try closer to twenty--I remember when it happened, because I almost got grandfathered into the younger drinking age. Missed it by 2 months, so I got an extra three years of illicit drinking in before I got legal.

And there's no good reason for it, quite frankly.

Ahhh rocket fuel. The art of taking a little bit from each of your parents liquer bottles and mixing it together to get hammered at age 15.

*Looks at his cabinet* Thats gonna be one hell of a drink...Seriously, though, the drinking age shouldn't be 18. It should be whenever all other rights and responsibilities of being and adult kick in. In my opinion, that age should be 16.

On a side note, kids, cheap booze is no one's friend. Sure, it sounds like a good time to get a fifth of Svdenka Vodka, some Gordons Gin, and a couple bottles of Boonesfarm or MD 20/20, but it isn't. Theres a reason bums are so cranky. Also...drink lots of water before you pass out. If not, I have two words for you.



Poop Fairy.

Is the big problem the federal governemnt itself or completely out of control insurance industry's ability to fund "special interest" pressure groups and line the pockets of poiticians through their unrestricted lobby efforts?
A little bit of column A and a little bit of column B.

If you follow the money you will find it interesting that virtually every sort of freedom lost in the US for the past thirty years has its roots somehow attached all or in part to that paticular industry.
Well thats kind of a blanket statement there. Patriot act much?

isnt your president an ex-alohlic? surely he's all for dropping the age limit, get his kids started

A little bit of column A and a little bit of column B.


Well thats kind of a blanket statement there. Patriot act much?


Maybe, but it doesn't sound beleivable?

How many times in how many a country has an insurance company evaded payment with "act of god" as cannot be defined, in this case preventing alcaholism beneficial to the insurance industry?

People pay for premiums that they end up being not covered under due to their lifestyle?

Ahhh rocket fuel. The art of taking a little bit from each of your parents liquer bottles and mixing it together to get hammered at age 15.

Yup, that stuff sure gets one drunk, allthough we in belgium could just buy the liquor at that age. Drinking age: 16/18 for hard liquor, First time i bought a bottle of vodka: age 14. The drinking age is low and nobody cares about it. They never stopped anyone i know from buying alcohol, no matter how drunk they were at the time either.

I still have memories of a 2l bottle of cola, filled with the last bit of cola, vodka, whiskey, amaretto, wine and gin; it looked like cola (which surprised some people when they made a whiskey-cola.)

yeah here in britain you are allowed to have sex and get married at 16 so why not vote and drink at the same age

though maybe i'd put the smokeing age up and leave driving age where it is (both should be at least 18)

yeah here in britain you are allowed to have sex and get married at 16 so why not vote and drink at the same age

though maybe i'd put the smokeing age up and leave driving age where it is (both should be at least 18)


You can smoke get married and die for your country, but beer? No you can't have beer.

That statement in and of itself is laughable.

Maybe, but it doesn't sound beleivable?
I never said it didn't sound believable.

How many times in how many a country has an insurance company evaded payment with "act of god" as cannot be defined, in this case preventing alcaholism beneficial to the insurance industry?
I don't know. I haven't seen any cases on the topic so I really can't say.

People pay for premiums that they end up being not covered under due to their lifestyle?
Such as?

Someone put forth the argument that until 18-20 year olds learn to drink responsibly, the limit should stay where it is. But I think the opposite -- as a result of the 21-year age limit, drinking gained an allure to underage individuals.

Hell, if we went off of sheer responsibility for any demographic, we'd have prohibition!

Someone put forth the argument that until 18-20 year olds learn to drink responsibly, the limit should stay where it is. But I think the opposite -- as a result of the 21-year age limit, drinking gained an allure to underage individuals.

Hell, if we went off of sheer responsibility for any demographic, we'd have prohibition!

*does prohibition dance*

Let me throw this one out for discussion:

Drinking age, voting age, driving, marriage, gun ownership, military service, legal transactions of all sort...should be 21-years-old.

That arbitrary age comes from recent studies that show that teens still lack the brain structure to make judgement calls about long term consequences.

Until that magic age is reached, Mommy, Daddy, legal guardian or court emancipation has to give permission for any of the age limited activities. Not that they can't be engaged in, just that permission has to be on file (along with possible legal responsibility).

Lord knows you whipper-snappers can't even keep your own behinds clean without help, why unleash you on the world?

:D

I'm from Belgium too, and you can drink any normal alcoholic drinks from the age of 16, and you can get any hard alcohols (more than 15 percent I think) when you're 18.

Well, I'm 16 now, and drinking isn't all cool like in the US.
Sure, it was cool to have some beers at the age of 13-14, but we've grown out of that. At my age, lot's of people realise what they are doing and stop drinking and smoking (you can get cigarettes at the age of 12, aldo it's 'illegal' to smoke under 16). Still, Belgium isn't all that liberal like the Netherlands, you can drink and smoke all you want, but it will be hard to find some hard drugs (LSD, coke, crack) here, and I think that isn't the case in the US.


Well, I'm 16, can have some beers legally, I'm allowed to drive a scooter and my parents have to sign my school reports each month.

Such as?

The best example would be tobacco use. Smokers pay a significantly higher premium for their life and medical insurance, only to have a large portion of their claims denied because of their tobacco use.

The best example would be tobacco use. Smokers pay a significantly higher premium for their life and medical insurance, only to have a large portion of their claims denied because of their tobacco use.

Well I can understand the higher premiums part for smokers. But under what type of circumstances would their claims be denied because they smoked?

Well I can understand the higher premiums part for smokers. But under what type of circumstances would their claims be denied because they smoked?

If they died from anything directly related to smoking, or if they had a serious medical condition that was the direct result of the smoking, they frequently get denied.

About 30 years ago, the drinking age was 18 years of age. People were responsible and people understood the chances taken when being drunk. Today, you have to sign up for the selective service on your 18th birthday yet you aren't allowed to drink. If you old enough to fight, then you're old enough to drink!

Good point. Better push back the selective service to 21.

Why!?!? Because today's American youth is absolutly retarted. There is way too much drinking and driving! IT'S SO GOD DAMN STUPID!! Americans can no longer drive! Imagine what would happen if Germany was as irresponsable as we were!! Think about it!!! And this whole "power hour" crap? It's common sense... DON'T DO IT!!

Hell if it were up to me I'd make it so we couldn't drink until 25, AND I'd exucute drunk drivers on the spot.

"Death solves all problems, no man, no problem."
-Joseph Stalin

I think the reason the drinking age is 21 is they don't want high-schoolers bringing alcohol to high school parties. Happens anyway tho.

Let me throw this one out for discussion:

Drinking age, voting age, driving, marriage, gun ownership, military service, legal transactions of all sort...should be 21-years-old.

That arbitrary age comes from recent studies that show that teens still lack the brain structure to make judgement calls about long term consequences.


On that basis why not link the granting of such rights to a medical/neurophysiological inspection: why should a physically mature 19 year old with such structures in place be refused those rights, whereas a physically immature 23 year without such structures in place be granted them?

Politicians responding to cries from idiots demanding that they do something.

It makes no sense to me that at 18 you can determine the fate of the country (vote), go to war, even buy a house even, but you can't go buy a six pack of beer.

Why!?!? Because today's American youth is absolutly retarted. There is way too much drinking and driving! IT'S SO GOD DAMN STUPID!! Americans can no longer drive! Imagine what would happen if Germany was as irresponsable as we were!! Think about it!!! And this whole "power hour" crap? It's common sense... DON'T DO IT!!

Hell if it were up to me I'd make it so we couldn't drink until 25, AND I'd exucute drunk drivers on the spot.

"Death solves all problems, no man, no problem."
-Joseph Stalin
I've seen more of my friends parents get behind the wheel of a car than I have ever seen any teenagers get behind the wheel intoxicated.

I personally think that the higher drinking age actually encourages things like the power hour. On the 21st birthday, its common to do 21 shots. Drinking isn't so much recreational for those under 21 as it is something to do just to get drunk. Mature? no. A direct result of such a high drinking age? yes. Lower drinking ages in just about every other country work just fine. It isn't just about raising the age, it is about teaching responsibility that goes with the privilige. Not these bullshit fear lectures children get today about how one drink will kill you, but real responsibility.

Let me throw this one out for discussion:

Drinking age, voting age, driving, marriage, gun ownership, military service, legal transactions of all sort...should be 21-years-old.

That arbitrary age comes from recent studies that show that teens still lack the brain structure to make judgement calls about long term consequences.

Until that magic age is reached, Mommy, Daddy, legal guardian or court emancipation has to give permission for any of the age limited activities. Not that they can't be engaged in, just that permission has to be on file (along with possible legal responsibility).

Lord knows you whipper-snappers can't even keep your own behinds clean without help, why unleash you on the world?
the brain doesn't stop forming untill the mid-30's. By that argument, the drinking age should be that high.

I live alone. I go to school alone. I am responsible for myself. I am 19. Do you honestly think that I should have to call home (to a different state) and have mommy and daddy sign a permission slip so I can go on my weekly field hours and teach classes?

Should I have to call my parents and have them approve me taking $100 out to get groceries? or to go see a movie?

I do a damn fine job keeping by behind clean. Sure there are some screw ups, but I can find those in any population and age group. It isn't just American teens.

Can any of you remember the day that 18-year-olds got the right to vote in the U.S.?
I do.

Your answers are spot on about teens being able to do more things than given credit for...so how about this:

Work toward it like the teens and early 20-year-olds did in the early 70s. You might not be able to accomplish it for your own use, but you might be able to secure the right for youth in the future.

Any ideas on how to do this (hint: start brainstorming now)?

I am God and declare it should be 21. Obey me...




Or die

I think smoking should be 21.

What gets me is the age for sexual activity being legal is 18 but drinking is 21
Which doesn't make sense.
An 18 year old can get paid to be in pornography but not buy alcohol.

Can any of you remember the day that 18-year-olds got the right to vote in the U.S.?
I do.

Your answers are spot on about teens being able to do more things than given credit for...so how about this:

Work toward it like the teens and early 20-year-olds did in the early 70s. You might not be able to accomplish it for your own use, but you might be able to secure the right for youth in the future.

Any ideas on how to do this (hint: start brainstorming now)?
I think there is one major difference between the vote and drinking. The right to vote is considered basic human rights. Drinking isnt.
Also, the men being sent to fight in Viet Nam but had no right to vote were being screwed over because they had to fight legally, but couldn't pick who was making the policy that put them there in the first place.

I think smoking should be 21.

What difference does that make? Most people start smoking in their early teens anyway.

I think there is one major difference between the vote and drinking. The right to vote is considered basic human rights. Drinking isnt.

Well one could say that drinking is the "pursuit of happiness". :D

Well, I do in fact think it should be 18. If they can lie these kids into going to Iraq, allow anyone over 18 to chose our leaders, then for God's sake let them have a beer.
We can thank the far Christian right for this law that makes no sense.

And by the way, like smoking, it's not too hard to drink in your early teens either.

I think there is one major difference between the vote and drinking. The right to vote is considered basic human rights. Drinking isnt.

Well someone pointed out the pursuit of happiness issue and there is also the issue that if my body is my property I have the right to do what I want with it including if I want to alter the chemistry of it by ingesting alcohol.

And again, if you can chose leaders, and serve in the military, I see no reason why you can't enjoy a good cold Coors Light!

I had fake IDs so I got off pretty easily.

And again, if you can chose leaders, and serve in the military, I see no reason why you can't enjoy a good cold Coors Light!

I had fake IDs so I got off pretty easily.

If you're drinking Coors Light, you really don't deserve the privilege.

At any age.

Well, the fact is, many other European and Asian countries have low drinking ages. (Or no drinking ages) But, America seems to have more *abusers*. So, until the American people can learn to be more responsible with alcohol, the drinking age should remain where it is.You don't imagine there might be some kind of cause and effect relationship there do you?

Maybe when kids learn to drink with their parents they learn to do so responsibly versus when kids learn to drink with other kids.

We can thank the far Christian right for this law that makes no sense.
I don't think so. It sounds more like a Christian left do-gooder thing.

In Slovenia, its 18, but you get alcohol in every bar you want...cant you get it in US? :confused:
I mean, i'm 16 and i can get beer or vodka in the bar accros the street of my school...

I don't think so. It sounds more like a Christian left do-gooder thing.


Its the Christian far right that believs in cramming their beliefs down everyones throats. Christian lefts kinda keep to themselves.

And nothing wrong with Coors Light.

Well one could say that drinking is the "pursuit of happiness". :D
touche

or perhaps liberty? Freedom of choice? the right to bear arms whilst heavily inebriated on jack and coke?

Well, this turned into quite the commonsensical discussion.

Really, what I'd like to question is why do us Americans insist on empowering our government to impose restrictions on drinking when substance abuse is such a widespread practice. Americans are aware of what else is important (whether considering worldwide or national issues), but we listen 100% to what the media tells us. Rather than confront the issue in a sensible and peacful manner, we insist on snickering about it among our close circles of friends or throw a ridiculous demonstration that only gathers attention. Progress is not priority number one on finding an answer to this problem any more than any other, but to stay relevant....

Organzations like SADD (students against drunk driving) and MADD (mothers against drunk driving). Actually have an impact upon attitudes and behaviors related to underage drinking. When the other side of the argument decides to "argue" its points, it does a terrible job. Sometimes, you'll see an ad go up or a demand for debate on the issue. What's happened is alcohol is deemed as a source of problems in the U.S. and is used as a scapegoat for those who are lazy enough to not accept the responsibility of the human will.

AA focuses on how people have to confront alcohol when tempted to have a drink. The theme here is to have alcoholics directly question how they do not have to depend on alcohol. People do not have to give in to what is absolutely directing their lives; we can choose to overcome our obstacles. Those that want harsher regulation on drinking believe that alcohol itself corrupts strain of thought. They ignore how alcohol has to be CONSUMED for it to take effect.

For those who have considered the question for when one must be responsible for his actions, I thank you for asking the right question. What should be considered here is when should minors no longer be legally dependent upon their parents. Also, how should private institutions engage underage drinking.

Its the Christian far right that believs in cramming their beliefs down everyones throats. Christian lefts kinda keep to themselves.

And nothing wrong with Coors Light.
Nonsense. Who is it that likes to accuse others of being un-christian for opposing state wealth redistribution? Who was that brought about alcohol prohibition?

touche

or perhaps liberty? Freedom of choice? the right to bear arms whilst heavily inebriated on jack and coke?
If people have interpreted the second ammendment "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. "as the right for everyone to have a weapon, why not tie in alcohol with the pursuit of happiness?

Why should there be a drinking age at all?
To stop 13 year olds buying bottles of whiskey. That said, I think 21 is an insanely high age. 17 would be better.

Nonsense. Who is it that likes to accuse others of being un-christian for opposing state wealth redistribution?
I haven't heard that one much lately.

Who was that brought about alcohol prohibition?
The Christian Right.

Why bother with a drinking age at all? Just outlaw it completely. Put extremely harsh penalties on alcohol consumption to scare off some would-be illegal drinkers right away. Then the industry will collapse by itself: When alcohol is produced illegally it lacks the restrictive regulations which usually results in producers not bothering to get rid of the methyl alcohol in facor of increasing profit. Even in very small amounts methyl alcohol can lead to blindness and easily death. Competition will ensure that drinking is abolished in a decade or two.

I mean, come on, drinking isn't a good thing. Even God agrees on that.

Speaking of which, it's supposed to be a sin to drink, but drink what? Wine? Ethyl alcohol? Any kind of fermentation product? Any substance inducing drunkenness? Adrenaline should be a sin by that definition.

americans have to be twenty one to drink because they are less responsible than us europeans. i myself have been drinking from the age of 14 and have never needed to go to hospital for alchol related things including fights. the american guy at my uni party was having his second party with drink in his life and needed a stomach pump. case closed

americans have to be twenty one to drink because they are less responsible than us europeans. i myself have been drinking from the age of 14 and have never needed to go to hospital for alchol related things including fights. the american guy at my uni party was having his second party with drink in his life and needed a stomach pump. case closed

I would argue that the reason for that is because of the different social attitudes prevelant between America and Europe dealing with alcohol. Europeans tend to take the stance that alcohol is something to be enjoyed and its not a bad substance. In America we've taken the stance of your not allowed to touch the stuff until your a certain age and then your supposed to go out and get shitfaced to prove your masculinity. If we want to change that attitude we need to change the views on alcohol really.

i mean god if your old enough to join the army and risk your life shoot a gun have sex smoke. you should be able to drink thats what men in the army want.

I don't see the benefit from drinking ethanol and flavorings. Ethanol makes a good fuel, why waste it on drinking? Well anyway, drinking alcohol should be banned except for religious purposes or medical.

I don't see the benefit from drinking ethanol and flavorings. Ethanol makes a good fuel, why waste it on drinking? Well anyway, drinking alcohol should be banned except for religious purposes or medical.

You smell and i hate you. (j/k)

Drinks in America should be generally forbidden....They talk enough bullshit even if they dry ;)