Setting the Bar at 18?

Question

Given the growing problem of binge drinking on campuses, do u think its time to drop the drinking age below 21?

Decriminalizing drinking by kids of 18 and older will bring their alcohol consumption out from hiding to where parents and adults can monitor it and teach responsibility without conflict.

Answer 1

I hate to say it, but lowering the drinking age isn't going to help the binge drinking problem. I agree with you that it should be lowered to 18, just because it's ridiculous that one can adopt children, fight for their country, and vote then, but apparently it takes another 3 years of maturity than it takes to do those things in order to drink? Definitely not. Responsible adults who are 18+ should be able to drink. Now, binge drinking happens because it's a college tradition. I go to CU Boulder, and I discovered here that binge drinking doesn't happen out of rebelliousness or lack of training from their parents -- it's that a huuuuuuge number of kids in college just want to get that severely drunk, or feel pressured to get that drunk in order to fit in. Also, contrary to what a lot of Americans who seem to have never have gone to Europe think, binge drinking happens just as much overseas when there aren't as strict drinking laws. it's just not as heavily publicized because people don't think it's that big a deal (they more consider it kids being kids). So, I do think the bar should be set at 18 just to respect the kids that age who can handle the responsibility, but it won't do anything to stop binge drinking.

Answer 2

Absolutely.

America has the highest drinking age in the developed world.

In many European countries, where children are often exposed to alcohol ie. drinking wine with meals, from such a young age, responsible drinking is instilled in them.

In the USA where all the drinking has to be hidden, it ends up with a group of kids getting bootlegged bottles of Everclear and giving themselves alcohol poisoning.

It's beyond clear that a legal drinking age does nothing to limit consumption by minors. It just ensures they drink in unsuitable settings and having not experienced it in the past binge drinking becomes commonplace.

It just ends up costing tons of money to police an issue that shouldn't be one.

Answer 3

Sure it will, he said sarcastically. A better argument is that since you can be drafted (theoretically) and married (without parental approval) at 18, then logically the drinking age should be 18 as well. But legalizing it at 18 would bring back the days of more DWI and DUI, and you can fnd those stas quite easily.

Answer 4

Totally agree. My parents have let me drink (responsibly and under their supervision of course,) and now that I am in college I never binge drink and am totally responsible with my use of alcohol. Ummm, it's working for like every other country in the world. But hey, why do something logical??

Answer 5

I agree. I think if you're old enough to vote and be an "adult" you should be allowed to drink. Its shown that in countries where they are more open about the topics of alcohol and other things like sex and drugs, both legally and socially, there are less instances of the abuse of these rights because they are taught responsibly from a younger age. I actually quit drinking shortly after my 21st birthday because it was less fun when it was legal.

Answer 6

You've got my vote. Same rule as back during the 'Nam when it was originally dropped. You can die for your country but can't have a legal drink? Bullshit! (BTW, GIs overseas CAN legally drink if they are at or over the host-nation's age limit. Most are 18.)