age limits and drinking - make sense or not?

Question

Having grown up in the US, I understand that drinking can a social activity and that many people consider it fun and like doing it. I'm a non-drinker, but I have nothing against people that drink or judge them any differently for it. So kindly hear me out.
What I don't get is that if its illegal for a minor (< 21) to drink, why is it legal for a non-minor (21+) to do so? I mean, sure, protecting a child or youth from the harmful effects of alcohol is important, but every life is precious, not just a minor! I mean, 21, in my opinion is still pretty young to be playing around with one's life. Also, has one really gained a lot of maturity between the ages of 20 and 21 (where the cutoff lies in this country)? I somehow think not. I guess its assumed that by that time people can make suitable decisions about drinking, but unfortunately, one hears of so many DUI and drinking-related calamities, under-age or not, that it is difficult to guarantee this.

I asked this in the General - society & culture section but barely got any responses. Hoping more people would be keen to shed some light on this question here. I really don't mean to offend anyone, I know plenty of people that drink (I don't even though I'm over 21) and I don't have a problem with it as long as they can control themselves and know their limits.

I'm not necessarily suggesting that drinking be completely banned, because I think a lot of people would have a problem with that. I've met French and Japanese people, and I learned that wine is a part of their food culture. But I do think that a limit ought to be enforced (as to how many drinks a person can have) so that nobody gets hurt due to some drunkard and that nobody dies from drinking.
Then again, I think people also just should watch themselves, and parents take responsibility, or have their friends take care of them (how much they drink, who's designated driver, etc). This should help society greatly.

Answer 1

I just feel that if a person is old enough to vote and go to war; they should also be able to go to a bar and have a drink !

Answer 2

It used to be that states could set their own limit. The federal government basically told them to make the age 21 or the states would lose funding for roads. So it is not a federal law, interesting little fact. There is no rhyme or reason for21, the govt. was just smart enough to know there had to be an age limit. So that's your answer to your first question, regardless of the arguments for it to be younger, older, etc., it is what it is.
The reason that alcohol is legal AT ALL, is the fact that this country would be in chaos if it wasn't. Look back into history in the early 1900s and the mob and the bootlegging industry. They were one and the same. It was impossible to stop it in the 20s, which is why prohibition was lifted, there is no way they would stop it now. Like it or not, compare it to any drug if you'd like, I know all the arguments. Its the fact that it would be a bigger problem than any drug you can think of to make alcohol illegal. So I think it was more of, you win some you lose some, pick your battles, etc. than anything that has to do with reason.
When I drink, I don't drive. Unfortunately, whether or not you make it illegal, people will still drink and drive, will still use drugs and drive, will still drive when they are tired, will still talk on cell phones, etc. You can't control people's free will, you can only educate them. That is what we need to work on in this country, not try and stop people from doing what they will do with or without the laws.
There is so much on this subject that it is hard to shorten this. Sorry this was so long, but its a subject that needs to be addressed properly. I think you asked an excellent question, and I appreciate the unbiased way you worded it. Its refreshing to see that.

Answer 3

Everytime I pick up the paper and see someone who has caused a fatal DWI accident, it is always some old cogger -- frequently with a long history of DWIs.

The alcohol consumption laws are set somewhat arbitrarily to be sure, but regardless of those laws, drinking by minors will always occur and old coggers will always cause DWI fatalities. There is no one brilliant solution.

My own personal experience is that I did all of my drinking between the ages of 15 and 21. After 21, it was no longer any fun. This was partly due to the fact that my party years were over, but also, it was due to the fact that 95% of the fun of drinking back then was getting alcohol when you were underage.

My favorite such story is one that happenend when I was 15. A handful of friends and I decided to camp out in a field one Friday night during the summer. As was frequently the case back then, one of my friends said he had a brother who had a friend who was going to come by with some beer. In the past, this rumor had always proved fruitless.

As the night wore on, we began to realize that no beer was in the offing. Consequently, one of my friends and I got on our bikes and rode a couple of miles over to a liquor store. We hung out near the parking lot for a spell until we saw 3 of the nastiest, surliest looking men I had ever seen in my life get out of a car and head into the store. When they returned to their car, we were waiting for them and we asked them to go in and buy us some beer. One of them asked what was in it for them and we told them to get themselves a 6-pack on us.

One of the men took the money, went back into the store and a few minutes later returned with two 12 packs of Budweiser for us. We rode back to the campsite with each of us carrying a 12 pack of beer on our bikes.

It was a pretty fun time; and yet, I don't remember drinking the beer or anything else special about that night. The fun was all in the boldness of our actions, the danger involved and the fact that we accomplished our mission. If Pepsi had been illegal and we had pursued the same events, it would have been equally fun. The alcohol itself was irrelevant.

Answer 4

I agree, 21 is still young maturity is still lacking, frequently. In fact new psychological and neuroscience research is showing that the human brain is not fully mature until about age 25. But I think the reason is that, most law makers and people in general assume that by 21, most people are responsible enough to control themselves or at least intelligent enough to know the laws. But you and I both know that many people aren't responsible enough to control themselves and they don't care about the laws.

Answer 5

In Australia our drinking laws start at 18 years old. Same with voting and obtaining a Probationay drivers lisence. Some Countries it's even younger. Others don't even have a legal age.

Answer 6

the reason the law is designed that way is because it has to start some where with a number. Would no for people under 25 and yes for people over 25be any better? How about no for people under 16 and yes for people over 16? How about no for people under 30 and yes for people over 30?

Answer 7

It would probably help the society, but there are hundreds of other issues out there more serious than this, that would help the society.

I do think that maybe between 21-23 there be a limit, but older than that, no limit is fine.

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Answer 8

Laws have to be objective, not subjective.
At what age do you determine who deserves a drivers license?
This can go on and on..... People are responsible at different age levels.