Teens and Drinking?

Question

I was talking with my husband about this topic the other day and was wondering what other people think. We spent our teen years in Germany. There the legal age to drink was sixteen (really, if you could see above the bar you could drink). The legal age to drive was eighteen. I think this is a great idea that would be great for America as well. I know very well that if you are legally able to drink, go to bars, and live a “party” lifestyle when you are younger--it wears out of your system, therefore, when you are able to drive, you already understand the effects of alcohol and aren’t tempted to drive under the influence--meaning less DUIs and DWIs. Also, like I said before, it wears the whole “party” lifestyle out of you--so when you do reach about eighteen you no longer have interest in participating in those acts. As parents, do you think this is a good idea. Do you think if we gave our children more freedom with alcohol it would result in less outrageous adults and drastically lower the DUI statistics? What do you think about the topic of drinking and teens? Also--why do we empower teens with half ton vehicles before they are able to drink?

Also--by making it so that teens can drink might eliminate the taboo in it. Some teens do it for the risk and merely just because it's illegal.

I'm sorry what I was saying about the DUI and DWI issue is that if teens get it out of their systems--they would be less likely to drink later and/or less likely to drink and drive when it comes time when they can drive.

Answer 1

America has some funny priorities. We outlaw drinking, making it cool to go out and do it illegally. Then we get upset when they drive drunk, crash their cars and cause someone to die. I agree that if kids were legally allowed to drink earlier, they might tire of it and develop a healthy outlook on it long before the they are adults. True, some kids could develop drinking problems, but that is more about having an addictive personality than being allowed to drink. I think we would have less DUIs and DWIs if parents taught their kids better. How often does a teenager see his/her parent drive after just one drink, or just two? It doesn't sound like a lot to an adult so we don't always think about the example it sets for our children.

Answer 2

It's not teens but adults who get the most DUI/DWI, adults are killing people everyday they obviously didn't learn anything and still participate in the acts quite alot. I think it is easier to get realistic with our kids and chauffeur them, then maybe they will get use to the idea that they need a DD, better yet show them a car that has been wrecked into by a drunk driver and take them to the police station and get the statistics on drunk driving and people killed. Teens should be given the same amount of time with how alcohol kills as they are taught how to do a three point road turn, etc.

Answer 3

Your question shows what is wrong with the thinking in today's world.

A mature teenager does not need to drink "for the risk or because it is illegal", nor do they need to "get it out of their system". A mature teen knows the effects of alcohol before they try any, and is too smart to get caught up in the party lifestyle. Then drinking and driving is not an issue, at any age.

What a different world it would be if we were all good parents and raised mature children!!!

Answer 4

The teenage brain is not yet done growing and brain cells are destroyed before they reach maturity. I think the laws in this country are a problem. When someone could be arrested numerous times for drinking and driving and pay fines to get out of it, and still able to drive the next day is a major problem. Until the laws are enforced, it will continue to be a problem. The answer is they should not be allowed to drink before they are 21. It would not lower the statistics.

Answer 5

Most people who grow up here don't understand because they don't see it. I grew up in Germany as well. I totally understand and that's how I feel about the drinking age here and the driving age. However you have to look at the resposiblity of Germans too. They have to know wht they want to do for their career by the age of 12-14 and they are out of school working as an adult at the age of 16. Kids here in the states aren't resposible for themselves until the age of 26. Big difference!

Answer 6

Our culture doesn't expose children to alcohol,so they have very little knowledge about it.When is the last time you saw a bottle of wine on a dinner table in a US home?We tell them to abstain.Hence forth when they gain access they are forced to learn the affects for themselves.Alcohol is a part of our culture,we teach them to perform menial tasks,but not about something that can alter their lives and those of others permanently.We need an answer,but to be honest w/ societal norms what they are I am at a loss,

Answer 7

I think this is a great idea give the kids the knowledge before you give them the keys. Drinking should only be done in the company of adults though so there is someone to watch out for them.


Good Luck and God Bless!!

Answer 8

I think it is a fantastic concept, and would be willing to petition it.

I can only imagine that there are many parents who would gasp at the thought of having to drive their 17 year old where they needed to go.

I can also imagine that there would be plenty of teens making friends with 18 year olds just to have a friend who drives.

Answer 9

"Why do we empower teens with half ton vehicles before they are able to drink?"
We don't want the two to mix!

Other than that, I'm not a good person to answer this question. By personal choice I was 22 before I ever had a drink.

Answer 10

i dont think so i like the idea but i think pparenting has to come into the subject parents dont inform the kids of right and wrong enough and always blame others for what maybe there fault. so until parents teach there children to lay blame on theirselves and not others i think that changing the age wont work and. kids are younger acting theses days and dont know how to be responsible