Do you believe that the legal age to drink should be nationally lowered?

Question

I am in the military, 20 years of age, and drink. It is illegal. However, at 17 with parental consent I made the decision to defend my nation and give my life if necessary. Should the legal age of consumption be lowered to 18 or should the legal age of enlistment be raised to 21? Consider that approximately 60% of our fighting force are under 21 and of those only about 45% will continue past their first tour of duty. I personally feel that the age should be lowered for military personell. I know there are still some problems to work out, but feel this is a question with merit.

Answer 1

You make a very good point. If you're considered old enough to fight for your country, to vote, and to drive, surely you should be considered old enough to drink as well. I found it really stange when I went to America when I was 19 and had been going out to niteclubs drinking for a year in Australia yet would have to wait another 2 years before I did the same in America. Consistency would be a good thing.

Answer 2

Being a soldier myself, I think it should be lowered for military. I was stationed in Germany, and drinking at 18. When I came back to the states after 15 months in Iraq, I couldn't have a beer because I wasn't 21 yet. I couldn't rent a car, and I also had a hard time getting a motel room. I can see it being 21 for most people, because a lot of people aren't mature enough at 18 (some are not even at 21). However, soldiers hold their hand up and say that they will place everything they have, even their lives, on the line for their country, so I think they should be entitled to a few extra privledges. For all those people out there who think that soldiers should be more restricted, remember that we are what defends your right to think that.

Answer 3

No. College officials already have a hard time preventing their freshmen from getting drunk at parties with 21+ year olds. Could u imagine wat would happen if the legal age to drink was lowered to 18? High school Seniors would throw parties where freshmen and other minors would be invited. It would be much harder preventing them from getting drunk.

The obvious reason for the enlistment age to be 18 is because u've just gotten out of high school and ur at the age where ur deciding wat to do with ur life. U can either go to college, get a job, or join the military. But if u raise the legal age to enlist to 21 years old, then u will get a lower amount of recruits because at 21, ur either already at a job or in college or something. Ur less likely to stop wat ur doing to enlist.

So altho unfair, the drinking age should be kept at 21 and enlistment at 18. U get less drunk minors and more recruits that way.

PS. Why would u feel that the drinking age should be especially lowered for military personnel? For some reason, many ppl think that being able to enlist means ur mature enough to drink since ur mature enough to hold a gun. I don't think ppl should enlist in the army or drink until 21 since at 18, ppl are still pretty immature. Unfortunately, like I said, raising the enlistment age would lower the amount of recruits and we're already at a shortage. So we should keep both limits as they are now. 18 is still not mature enough, even if ur in the army.

Answer 4

I do not believe that the drinking age should be lowered. In fact, I think it, along with driving age, military consent age, firearms ownership age, and voting age should be raised to 25. Most 24 year olds today are about as mature as 13 year olds 60 years ago. I am 21 years of 'age,' so I know that of which I speak from having to try to interact with the caveman-like drivel that is my generation. This makes me sick! The parents generally dump their kids off at school assuming the government will teach them the things required to survive as an adult. The teachers generally teach them only what they are required to teach them by law and union contract (whose smart idea was THAT?!), assuming the kids will get what they need at home. Meanwhile, my generation can do nothing but play XBox and be content with being totally screwed! Somebody HELP!!!

Answer 5

that's too previous by using regulate the U. S. techniques-set about alcohol. In a lot of Europe, there is not any ingesting age. babies are shown from early on that ingesting is not any vast deal, they drink wine with nutrients, and really have an occasional beer. Europe has a decrease prevalence of alcoholism and alcohol suitable injuries that the U. S.. this is the techniques-set, in u . s . a . of america ingesting is a huge deal. The attitudes of both countries has been favourite for hundreds of years, it is going to no longer replace, so go away the ingesting age the position that's or at maximum decrease it (decrease back) to 18.

Answer 6

I think the legal age for an adult should be 21, for just the reasons that you stated - it is incredible to me to see someone go into the military at 17-18, be asked to kill for his country, or to die for it, but not be allowed to drink legally. Yet, at the same time, you can sign binding contracts, get married, own property, drive a car without restrictions in most states (if not all), have children, and vote....

Answer 7

There have been studies that show the human liver is not fully developed until the age of 21. It is a health thing just as much as it is a maturity thing. I do believe if you are in the armed forces, however, that you should have the right to partake in moderation. Because no one in the military drinks under age, right? lol, but seriously, you should be allowed.

Answer 8

I believe the best response is to eliminate a drinking age (except for bars). In Europe, kids begin drinking at a very early age (usually watered-down wine) and when they come of age, drinkning is not big deal. Here, because we make "legal drinking age" such a big deal (even though most kids do it before 21) drinking is such a taboo that it becomes so desirable as to be unavoidable for most. Let families make decisions for their own kids and we'll actually eliminate some of the problems related to drinking.

Answer 9

I am 60 and l used to drink, I do not think it should be lowered. It was 18 for awhile and there were many problems with it. I understand where you are coming from and I do feel for you but you have the rest of your life to drink all that you want to.

Answer 10

First off Drinking is overrated and you will grow tired of the novelty of it as you get older...

I served for 6 years myself and went to the Gulf twice. I agree that if you can vote you should be able to drink, but I think that should probably be older if anything, not younger. It is strange to be able to vote and elect someone when you do not yet have all of the freedoms that a country has to offer?

Don't loose any sleep over not being able to drink, learn to have some fun without it. There are too many people who can't have any fun without it...

Answer 11

Hmm. It used to be. My parents for example might not ever have met if the drinking age in '74 wasn't 18. But Nationally lowered tailored specifically for military personnel? Sounds like 'special rights' to me.