Drinking Age?

Question

Why is it that when you are 18 years old you are old enough to go die for your country, but you are still not old enough to drink alcohal in that same country?

Answer 1

Alot of states USED to be 18, but they upped it to 21 in a feeble attempt to keep alcohol out of the highschoolers hands.

Answer 2

First of all, I don't think 18 year olds should be going to war, but that's not your question :)

I know that this is a debate in the military - http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=28706&archive=true

However, although I'm not finding it online just now I have read articles that discuss how the brain isn't fully formed or something until 21 and that too much alcohol before that age can do long term damage and increase the likelihood of alcoholism. Like I said, I can't find an actual source for this, so I could be remembering it wrong.

But I do remember seeing statistics after the drinking age was raised to 21 in the 80's that showed the number of teenage binge drinking and drunk driving deaths decreased *significantly*. Yes, kids under 21 still drink, but it's a lot less and they're not dying at the same rate.

That said, a good solution for both sides (assuming the brain research is incorrect) might be to lower the drinking age to 16 but raise the driving age to 21. Give 'em a few years to get the hang of it before they can get behind the wheel. Any takers??

Answer 3

A good question that is asked by a lot of young people! Another would be,why is 18 old enough to pick out a president but to young to pick out a beer?

Answer 4

Because most 18 year olds can not handle the responsibilities that go along with drinking......come to think of it, most 21 year olds can't either.

Answer 5

18 years olds have to be TAUGHT how to be a soldier. Intense training in boot camp does that.

There is NO WAY to "teach" an 18 year old to drink alcohol responsibly and they don't have the maturity to figure it out for themselves yet.

Answer 6

Because, teenagers are prone to irresponsibility when drinking (even more so than fully grown adults), and people end up dead. However, when you're in the military, people are SUPPOSED to end up dead.

Besides, I think the American government thinks young people are dumb enough to join the military.

Also, my dad told me (from experience) you're allowed to drink in the Army.

Answer 7

Wow! never think about that. nice

Answer 8

idk but you make a good point!