what would happen if we raised the driving age and lowered the drinking age?

Question

I have a friend who lives in germany who says they learn to drink at 13 or 14 at home with parents....they dont feel the need to get smashed like here in the u.s....is it possible thats the reason for binjing in this country.?....more you say no ...the more you wanna do it?

I just think its odd...they keep raising it and raising it.....something is wrong....its not working....my friend says the drink to socialize....we drink to get drunk and party..

i think they are drinking youonger cause they think its cool to sneak as opposed to it being the norm at home.....

I strongly agree stephen h

Answer 1

Indeed, that might well be. However, the difficulty here would be the transition period. How much lower should the drinking age go? During the honeymoon period, will there not be more accidents attributable to drunk driving amongst the youth? Why not lower it to 18, and raise cigarette age to 21?

Answer 2

When I was in Spain I was surprised to find children of about 7 or so having wine with the family at dinner. Of course, it was just a little wine and a lot of Sprite, but they were included in the dinner instead of being excluded from drinking the wine.

It was explained to me that as the kids got older, the amount of wine would increase while the Sprite would decrease. By the time they were of legal drinking age, they had been drinking a little for a long time. The alcohol held no fascination for them because it was nothing new. The binge drinking in Spain was similar to what you describe in Germany. It was almost non-existent.

Answer 3

Interesting thought. I have never understood binge drinking myself, and didn't do it even in college, but had a lot of friends that did. And there may be something to what you say, except that a lot of kids these days are drinking younger anyway (some of my neighbors are only 14 and 15 and they drink when they are with their older siblings and cousins).

I don't know, really. But I do know that parents need to be involved and teach kids responsibility and how binge drinking can really harm your health.

Answer 4

It wouldn't change a thing. IT all starts in the HOME. IT isn't about the LAW it is about the raising by the parents. Look at the family structure and values in Germany compared to that of America.

Answer 5

The Orthadox Jews have very little cases of binge drinking because they are taught too drink and highly respect wine/alcohol as a toddler and all through life. I could write a whole book on your question; but the afore mentioned brings me to the conclusion that, yes, it is very well possible.

Answer 6

Although kids will rebel, there are a lot of cultural reasons why this just wouldnt work. It would take years to change attitudes, and i'm not sure we are willing to put up with all the accidents that will occur before that change happens.

Answer 7

Yeah, but you get caught drunk driving over there and your *** is grass. They take no prisoners. Why should a non drinking16 year old not be able to drive just to appease the alcohol set?

Answer 8

Perhaps, but the Germans aren't the best drinkers - check out the French... they know how to drink like civilized people!

Answer 9

They used to have the drinking age at 18, and too many problems, a year later they went to 19, and a year after that it went to 21 years old.

As for driving at a later age, impossible, people have to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

I totally agree with that. I think that if more parents allowed their kids to drink at home, there would be less accidents involved with underage drinking.