Teens and Alcohol?

Question

I asked this earlier and wanted some more opinions. 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?

Another question--why does it work well in Europe but isn't accepted here?

To the statements about going off to war without allowing them to drink. In overseas installations you are able to purchase alcohol at eighteen--seventeen with a sponsor ID card. I grew up in that environment. But it is a good point.

Answer 1

As a teen that lived in germany and now in the united states i don't think that would really work. Just for the fact it is just a different world almost. I mean, at the age of 16 in the united states you are exspected to get a job, join clubs, do community help things, and if we are doing what we are supposed to do we need to be able to drive. Just for the fact it is way easier to find transportation in germany drinking at a younger age really doesn't matter. But in the US i just believe that teens need to be more responsible. it also has to do with the german school system, because by the agee of sixteen you know if your going somewhere or not, which has a big affect on how their country was created. at the age 30 in the United States the teens we have now will still be going job to job trying to find what is right for us. I hate that! For me being a teen and working my butt off for my future and so it will be a better place. The goverment is making it really hard to become anything in life. So if you are drinking you aren't doing what you need to be doing in life anyways. Years ago teen drinking was big, but teens were still doing what they need to do. Now, if something doesn't change our nation will be in deep crap. and that whole partying thing is crap. I know people that will parrty till they can't i know teens with two kids two jobs yet th ey find time to party. I know 30 year old men who party and won't stop. There is really no such thing as gettin tired of partying anymore. I personally think we should raise the age to drink and smoke, and make it harder to come pass. There are to many addictions in america so lets not try to start them so early, because it will stop future problems. I just think we shouldn't worry aout crap like that because americans need to be gratful for the things they have. That is why germany is so different. They are grateful for the things they have and the work hard and play hard. Compared to american teens who don't work and play hard. and if you wanna talk about a problem talk about the Pregnancy rate. today i had to take a 15 year old girl to t he hospital because her water broke. That is just sad.

(excuse the misspellings and things)

Answer 2

The question should not be why we let our children (which I do not have any of) drive before they could drink.

The question should be: why do we allow our children to go to war and fight for our country without legally being able to drink before they run the risk of getting killed in action.

Many countries allow drinking at an earlier age than here in the states. The idea is that it is not seen as taboo for kids to drink. Parents must remember that kids when at parties like to rebel against the rules set by parents, law enforcement etc... especially since they are around their peers. In other countries, alcohol is not a major component t parties. However there will always be those who abuse the drug as with others. Alcohol is a drug that must be respected by the young adult and not seen as a way to rebel.

Answer 3

I also think its a good idea. I think a lot of it too, its that in most european countries if a parent is present you can have alcohol. Its presented in a totally different manner than it is here in America.

Here its presented as something that is bad and addictive and for people of a lower class. But in reality anything can be addictive, even food (as we americans have so obviously proved) unless its presented in the right way.

In my family we were allowed to taste beer when ever we were old enough to wonder what it tasted like. We had wine at dinner from time to time. But because it was readily available, and it was discussed well (we're not gluttons in this family, and we're not drunkards either. Theres a difference between having a meal, and having a drink, and being a glutton and being a drunk) we didnt feel we were doing something 'bad'.

So when the temptation came from our peers, we really couldnt see what was so interesting in getting sloshed with buddies in secret for fun.

In fact, year later, I still am not fond of beer, and will only have a glass of wine at special meals. No sane person likes the taste of alcohol. Its something you aquire and learn to enjoy.

But having the driving age higher than the drinking age is a fantastic idea.

Answer 4

i believe that whatever the age we decide to let our children drink there will be issues. Mainly because of the word CHILDREN. Children tend to think and act as such. Giving them access to alcohol is not a great idea because it can lead to abuse. Not all will grow out of the partying stage. As you see most homicides that occur are by drunk drivers.
We empower the children with vehicles before Alcohol so that they can see that a vehicle takes a lot of concentration to control. If you are under the influence, that alone is less control of the vehicle. Same as using one hand to drive because the other hand is either holding a phone, feeding your face, correcting you children in the back seat or fondling you passenger. I say leave the children as pure as possible as long as possible. They will find the bad influences on their own and will make mistakes on their own. No need to rush it.

Answer 5

Why do we send our kids off to war before they are able to drink a beer!
I agree with you, totally! I don't know about 16, seems a little young, I can only imagine kids sneaking alcohol into school, but hell they do that anyway. I think that drinking age should be lowered, 21 is too old, like I said, we send kids off to war to kill, but they can't drink.
I actually see your point about allowing them to drink before they can drive, it gives them a bit of time to get the party out of there system and allows them to understand how it affects them before they drive a car.
I think setting back the legal driving age is also a good idea, there are very few 16 year olds who understand the responsibility of driving, it scares me actually. I didn't get my licence until I was 19, and that was perfectly fine for me.
Honestly I am willing to allow my children to drink at 16, they are going to do it anyway, so why not allow them to and be able to regulate where they do it, and what they do after. Versus them going out and parting god knows where and doing god knows what else.
Good thoughts, I just don't see it actually happening, but I think germany has a good thing going.

Answer 6

No, i think thats a terrible idea, it might make childs to get alcoholic, at that age you dont know whats good or not. Here te legal age is 18, but you can see children that start drinking at 15 and when they are 20 they keep drinking as much as they used to, so nothing changed. It might depended on the costums of people and culture.

Answer 7

I don't know about the drinking thing, but as for driving, even if you don't live near public transportation then it's important to be able to get around, and have some independence. Needing a car to do that is just the way our society is designed at this point. The benefits for these young adults far outweighs the risks, in my opinion.

Answer 8

I believe that the more you try to prevent a teen from doing something, the more they want to do it.

I was told I could drink or smoke all I wanted as long as my friends and I stayed home. Tried both. Decided I didn't like either.

Now I do not drink (other than VERY rarely) or smoke (can't pay me to light up.)

I still have a problem with the fact that you can join the army and get shot at the age of eighteen but you can not get a drink until you are twenty one.

Answer 9

There will always be a drinking age and a driving age in the US. With that said, the drinking age should be higher then 21 if you ask me and driving should be raised to 17 or even 18!

Answer 10

I don't know... I started drinking and doing drugs before I was 16 because my parents were screwed up. But now I'm 20 and over all that stuff. I think with most kids in this country, they are more likely to overindulge and destroy their lives. But it is an interesting argument as to whether or not the fact that we restrict alcohol to those under 21 leads to more young adults binging and ending up with dependency problems...