I live in Ireland where the drinking age is 18. I know that the age you can drink at in america is 21 in most states and I was wondering weather under age drinking is a big problem.
I can`t imagine someone going to college while still unable to legely drink. Maybe it's the culture I was brought up in but it just seem absurd that a 20 year old can't drink.
What the genral view of under age drinking in America?
(If your going to write a "You don't need drink tlo enjoy yourself" rant please don't bother)
2006-12-31 10:52:55 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
Hello Ireland from Ann Arbor, Michigan (my mother was born in County Kerry)!! Because of the vast number of Americans who depend on the automobile to move us around, you have to remember that in the U.S. our roads and freeways are extensive. Cars are fast and roads are crowded. We've learned that drinking and driving do not mix - especially with inexperienced young drivers. Although the U.S. at one point changed the drinking age to 18 way back in the 70's (for many good reasons), the number of alcohol related traffic accidents sky-rocketed, so back to 21 it went. You are absolutely correct in wondering how someone can go off to college never experiencing what it's like to be drunk. But most teens have... There is no great answer to the legal age for drinking debate. Right or wrong, parents just want to keep our young people safe (as well as the roads).
Happy New Year to the most beautiful country in the world - Ireland!
2006-12-31 11:10:29 · answer #1 · answered by mJc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We survive due to an enormous amount of underage drinking. Many Americans don't wait until they are 21 to start drinking. I know I didn't. I started drinking when I was 20 (which is older than most - many Americans start drinking in their late teens - regardless of the legal drinking age). You have to remember that the drinking age is mostly enforced when buying alcohol. Once the alcohol is bought, then it's harder to enforce the law. Now, in college towns, there is usually a bigger effort to prevent underage drinking, but still, it's very difficult to do so. I think the drinking age in America reflects our puritanical views towards alcohol in general. I'm not sure the higher drinking age has curbed drunk driving or anything like that. But, it's a contradiction. You are old enough to go to war and get killed, but not old enough to drink. It does not make any sense at all.
2006-12-31 11:11:16 · answer #2 · answered by JMT 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, Ive heard that underage drinking is much less of a problem in countrys where there is no drinking age because its just not as big of a deal if you dont have to sneak it. I also think it is ridiculous because here in the U.S the military draft age is 18, so a soldier can go to war and is supposed to be willing to die, BUT when he(or she) comes home cannot legally have a beer on us soil. Thats disgusting to me. But whatever I started drinking 7 years before i was legal, so that answers the question.
2006-12-31 10:59:26 · answer #3 · answered by ♥mama♥ 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If your old enough to vote you should be able to drink right? In the U.S, states are ruled by the government. Louisiana was the last hold out and our good ole gov decided that we could not get state funding to fix the highways unless.... However in most European places drunk driving is not so much a factor as pubs and bars are accessible to all in a town and not really driven to, as here in the United States
2006-12-31 11:02:43 · answer #4 · answered by Kenzie072 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i wonder the same thing...we're bordered by two countries who have drinking ages of 18 as well...and yeah, we do just drink underage. i dont think its a rediculous problem over here, but i know that it does exist. the drinking age was 18 over here for a while in the 70's, but they changed it back
2006-12-31 11:02:37 · answer #5 · answered by kimberbee 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Underage drinking is a bit of a problem, but it's not just with 18-20 year olds. It's mostly with misguided teenagers and kids who think drinking is thier ticket to "adulthood."
I suppose it's about as big a problem here as anywhere else.
And, just for the record, we "survive" quite well.
2006-12-31 10:58:24 · answer #6 · answered by Kay the Great 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
When I was young and growing up in England it was legally permissable to enter a pub accompanied by one's father, for a drink of shandy (half beer half lemonade) from the age of 14. I was a big boy though and often used to go drinking with my buddies from 14 and no one ever questioned that. Cheers!
2006-12-31 11:03:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I cosign with Ms. Lucie. Hardly anybody waits untill they're offical to drink. I started to drink drink when I was 20, but I know I had my first drink before then.
2006-12-31 11:17:58 · answer #8 · answered by mzrolls 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ALL human beings? no. do not enable one stupid lady replace your recommendations. i do hate how some human beings act so impolite while traveling yet another us of a. it somewhat is a real concern. yet that would not recommend you may call europeans extra ideal. have an ok day.
2016-10-19 07:15:12 · answer #9 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody waits until 21 to start drinking...that's how we "survive" it.
2006-12-31 11:01:36 · answer #10 · answered by Lucie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋