I have been to many countries where there is not really an age limit to consuming alcohol(I have been to countries like Bosnia, Italy and MExico and have bought alcohol when I was 16 and 17) and teenagers drinking is not a big deal, hence, they do not take advantage of it and are responsible about it...In America since it is off limits till 21, it gets abused alot, hence, more violations, accidents, etc....My question is...Can America cut down in the long run on drunk driving, accidents, etc. if they leave access to it at an earlier age?
2007-06-24 12:30:20 · 13 answers · asked by John m 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The legal age for joining the military and dying for your country should be the legal age of all things. How can hold someone responsible for a crime, have people open to lawsuits at 18, then tell them they cant drink a beer?
2007-06-24 12:37:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. It has nothing to do with "responsibility". It has to do with the fact that the human brain doesn't stop growing until around age 20.
And you would compare the US to Bosnia, Italy and Mexico? Yes, they consume alcohol legally a lot younger there AND they also have more problems with illiteracy, poverty, birth defects such as fetal alcohol syndrome....high crime rates...child/teenage prostitution...
all the negative fall out that comes along with substance abuse. I lived abroad for years with my parents. Don't tell me they don't abuse alcohol in those countries, they do...they just do it younger. And the result is evident.
Remember, just because a law in some "behind the times country" says it's ok, doesn't make it so. Years ago, ad ran in magazines that promoted smoking...some even said, "Your doctor recommends Marlboro!" Smoking wasn't illegal for kids until years later when the medical evidence was seen.
Medical research in the US is far superior to that of Bosnia, Italy and Mexico. One day, they'll catch up and raise their drinking age too.
Don't use their ignorance as your excuse.
2007-06-24 12:48:04 · answer #2 · answered by GeriGeri 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
How could lowering the legal drinking age also lower the amount of drunk driving accidents? Seems to me it would raise it. Minors drink anyways some just do it at home where they are relatively safe meaning not likely they will get caught. By lowering the drinking age those same minors will continue to drink but won't have to do it at home, they can do it in restaurants and in bars, hence more vehicles on the road and more drunk drivers.
2007-06-24 12:35:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Illinois lowered the drinking age to 19 years ago. I live in a college town and it didnt help anything. DUIs increased and there was still underage drinking. People who were 18 were getting caught drinking. I dont think lowering it is the way to go. Minors are still growing and maturing physically and do not need to have access to alcohol.
2007-06-25 00:53:20 · answer #4 · answered by mnwomen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is no but the thing it is all about is moderation when drinking alcohol. And since the country as a whole is becoming less and less responsible for problems arising from alcohol and drug abuse, don't aspect a change in policy
2007-06-24 12:39:43 · answer #5 · answered by sigmarigel@verizon.net 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
America has this retarded notion that prohibition makes people want to do things less when clearly the opposite is true. Christianity hasn't exactly been experts on how human beings truly are (making them of course the most logical choice to influence the laws). If the absolutely failed war on drugs can't get people to realize this, nothing ever will.
If we lowered the ages of everything, legalized things sensibly, and told the TRUTH about drugs/alcohol instead of lie constantly, MAYBE, just MAYBE the pedestal affect would be removed and we could make informed decisions and not glamorize things due to taboos.
Fat chance of this occurring though.
2007-06-24 12:52:45 · answer #6 · answered by ModerndayMadman 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Really.... do you believe a 16 year old would automatically be more responsible with beer he bought rather than stole?
I think the driving age should be raised to 21 instead. That would end teen aged drunk driving in a big way.
2007-06-24 12:40:31 · answer #7 · answered by Wren )O( 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It was put into place through political pressure from MADD in response to the fact that the largest number of fatalities occurred in people 18-21.
2007-06-24 12:35:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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I don't think these countries are fully aware or care about that number of young people dying on the roads.....
we have statistics showing young people and alcohol are a bad mix (so are older people and alcohol.... but not as bad as the young...) so we ahev to TRY to do something about it - maybe we have saved some lived and I think quite likely we have.. and they grow up... to drink and drive later - well hopefully not as they have learned theiur lessons...! by living so long
so no - keep the drinking age away from them - they can get alcohol if they really want it but have to try a lot harder......
2007-06-24 14:07:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is 2 high people drink anyway. having a high drinking age encourages people ot break the law which leads of a lack of respect for all laws.
2007-06-24 12:38:09 · answer #10 · answered by blktan23 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋