why do u have to be 21 to drink?

Answer 1

The law use to be 18. But due to many teens abusing alchol, getting into alchol related crashes, causing insurance rates to rise. Along with a higher drop out rate of hs and college kids, the states and government choose to raise the legal age to 21.

Does cause a conflict though. You can be 18, hold a gun and go kill for your country but you can't sit at home on your front lawn and have a cold one.

But I have heard that the army looks the other way to those under 18 due to the fact you are a "man" being there to defend your country.

Don't feel bad, I was just a few months away from 18 when they changed the law and I had to wait until 21.

Answer 2

Because people under the age of 21 are more likely to get in a car and drive drunk. In the 20 years after the drinking age was raised, it's estimated that over 17,000 lives were saved. Each time a state lowers the drinking age for some reason, drunk driving related fatalities and accidents increase.

It was also found that those who wait to drink are less likely to become alcoholic, be admitted to the hospital for an alcohol related accident (non-car), commit crimes, use marijuana, become suicidal, and harm the brain while it's still developing.

Answer 3

You dont. Legally you do though. The law is a form of age discrimination and a group of college students did win a lawsuit in New Orleans and some bars served 18 year olds about 10 years ago but a higher court judge struck it down a week later saying although it was a form of age discrimination, the law was for the public good. I agree I think you should be able to drink at 18.

Answer 4

Because you can do anything else you want before then, like
go in the army at 18 and get killed, so you get three years from
what should be the legal age of 18 to think about it so when you get 21 you have all the reason to drink...Huh? what was all that I just said- got derailed there and lost my train of thought.. I need a drink..

Answer 5

Its all about culture. In the UK you only have to be 18 to drink in a pub, 16 to drink in a restaurant with food (Beer, cider or wine only) and legally you can drink alcohol from the age of 5 if your parents provide it for you, although most don't.
In France children are given wine that has been watered down from a very young age. You don't see many teenagers binge drinking in France, because it isn't a novelty.

Answer 6

because the law feels that a younger person won't be able to handle alcohol. Of course, it you been to eur. you know that different. I myself was rasied in knowing what it is at a young age and had drinks for dinner. This infact made me not have the crazy college drink to you past da F out phase because I've had it before. I feel another reason is human psyhe! If you told no, your going to do it anyways but if we put an extreme penalty, then they won't do. False, I know alot of people that said they started drinking at an underage. Last but not lease, I think alcohol companies in the us don't want to be responsible for alcoholisim in young. Imagine a 5 year old addict that needs to go to aa, that would suck. So think about it!

Answer 7

Because the USA is retarded.

You can go kill people in the army at 18, but can't drink alcohol until 21????

Canada is 18 and 19 depending on the province. :D

Answer 8

It's 18 in Britain but most kids don't take any notice of that and neither do the pubs and clubs really. I went out drinking when i was 15.

Answer 9

It's 18 where I come from.
21 is a bit ridiculous, considering that by that age you could have already gone and had your brains blown out 'defending your country'. Old enough for a war zone, but not for a beer...

Answer 10

Because we Americans spoil our kids to the point that they really aren't ready for alcohol until they're 25. We're just nice by letting them have it at 21. Plus, if they want it, they'll find a way to have it much earlier.