2007-09-12 05:00:29 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
18 should be the legal drinking age in the U.S.
Personally, I think they ought to issue drinking licenses - regardless of age. I know some 16 year olds that are more responsible drinkers than some 50 year olds I know.
You'd have to have a drinking license to buy or consume alcohol (just like you currently need some type of i.d.). If you are charged with some alcohol related crime, you lose the license for some period of time. You drink responsibly, no problem.
2007-09-12 05:20:04 · answer #1 · answered by ChinHoYang 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well being American and living in the UK most of the year I find it too low in the UK. Go out on a friday or saturday night and it is a sure thing to see young kids passed out on the walking paths.
you see this in the States but not as often as in the UK. I honestly can not remember going out in the UK on the weekend and not seeing people laying on the ground passed out. always a young kid.
Plus in the US kids drive at a younger age and the drinking age being raised has lowered the amount of DUI related deaths. Still way too high but if the drinking age was lowered it would skyrocket.
It use to be that when you were in the military you could drink below the age of legal drinking by showing your military ID card. I am all for that being brought back. If you serve you deserve and the consequenses for breaking the law getting DUI in the military will keep things under control unlike civilian laws.
2007-09-12 12:17:37 · answer #2 · answered by Geoff C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The laws in Europe address the cultural influences and physical conditions there (size of cars, conditions of roads, weather) there and the laws in the US address our culture and physical conditions.
Each county sets it's laws to reflect the needs and social moors of that country.
Here, drinking and driving was a very big problem for 18 yo. So the legal drinking age was raised and the number of kids being killed in DUI accidents went down.
Personally, I agree with the drinking age being 21.
Just cause it works for us - does not mean that European countries need to change their drinking age.
This applies to all laws - not just the drinking age - there are reasons American/European women can't run around middle eastern countries wearing string bikinis. If your going to go to a foreign country -it's not your place to judge the laws of that country - just to follow them.
2007-09-12 13:10:52 · answer #3 · answered by Boots 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the US, you can vote, get tried as an adult and die for your country at 18, but you can't drink. I would say European laws are a little more realistic.
2007-09-12 12:15:30 · answer #4 · answered by Jose 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
US age laws are ridiculous. It should be 18 to drink, drive, and go to war, and for all porn. in other words, everything legal at 18. Age of consent, I'm not sure, meaning if two 17 year olds want to do it, if that should be legal.
2007-09-12 12:11:46 · answer #5 · answered by le coq géant 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
They both fit the culture. US laws have a higher age limit, because these young people are also driving.
2007-09-12 12:08:54 · answer #6 · answered by MEL T 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋