What do you think of attempts to lower the legal drinking age to 18?

Question

In my opinion, the biggest reason not to lower the drinking age is because 18 year-olds are going to be socializing with younger teens much more frequently than 21 year-olds.

I might support the idea of allowing 18-20 year-olds to order beer and wine with food in a restaurant, but I would oppose any plan to allow under 21's into bars or to purchase alcohol at stores.

The reason I'm asking is because I saw a piece on CNN.com about movements to lower the legal drinking age.

Answer 1

The drinking age is what it is based on social and psychological studies indicating where the ability to make sound judgements begins...however, they didn't factor in that being an idiot can be a lifelong affliction.

Answer 2

Why, because American has a long history of demonizing alcohol. Rationally, it would be best if you teach children how to drink properly (with friends,family, at a meal, and never lose control) But we have people who believe that they know more about everything about how another individual should live that they make their ideals into law. The age of drinking is silly. It was 21 to buy liquor --- then in the 60 it went down to 18. Only to be raised to 21 by the Federal government thanks to weak state legislatures and other politicians all too willing to accept funds from MADD. Perhaps, people should start a movement to remove entirely the age of alcohol consumption alone with the silly notion of age of consent for set.

Answer 3

NO WAY! Most 18 - 20 year olds are way to immature to drink responsibly, Hell alot of people that are over 21 are too. Lowering the drinking age will only result in more DWI resulting in more arrest and more car accidents. Plus i agree with you when you said that 18-20 y/o socialise with teens more than 21 and over do. Definitely 100% no. I dont see any good reason to do it. Not a single one. What so the Minor in possesion rate will go down *sarcasim* Ugh i get upset just thinking about that possibility!

*as far as the comments about being old enough to vote when you are 18 and die for you country when you are 18 but you cannot drink* Voting and serving in the military are priviledges and 18 y/o should feel lucky to have that opportunity, good things come of those two things, you get to vote...i mean comeone, most countries dont alow you to do that.....Serving in the military gives you many opportunities in life and it is completely optional.......Drinking! what good come outta that, You get a good buzz and wake up with a hang over! Yay that is a great priveledge!Come on voting and serving in the military is not the same as drinking!

plus if kids (18-20) started being able to purchase alchol whenever they want there would probably be more alcholics, more school (high school or college) drop outs, and like i said before, more fatalies due to car accidents.

I think the government should leave this one alone!

Answer 4

An 18 year old can vote. They can drive. They can live on their own, pay taxes, own property. They can go to war. I dont see why they shouldnt be able to drink. Who's to say that a 21 year old is more responsible than an 18 year old. Only a couple other countries in the world have a drinking age as high as the US and they are just fine. We need to educate the youth about alcohol and drinking it and its affects so that we have less drunk driving and other alcohol related problems in young people.

Answer 5

I have heard that the US has more alcoholics than in other countries and it is supposedly because we have such a high age for drinking. In many countries the legal age is much lower than 21 even lower than 18 and the kids don't like it as much. I am not sure though. Because it is something that is new to me it seems we would have issues with it rather than something we grew up with and it was normal...you know what I mean? I could just see the teen pregnancy rates sky rocketing and stds!

Answer 6

well, 1st of all, it was denied thankfully....
if it were me, i'd voted to up the age to 25 along with tobacca purchases too. i think 25 is a mature age to know when enoug is enough. also, if 18 was the legal age, oh boy....... that's just too young. you know 18 y/o are just starting to learn to drive decent and being about to purchase it at that age wouldn't be a good idea cuz you know they'd be drinking/driving.
however, in the real world, age doesn't matter as if they really want it, they will find one way or another to get it; sad, but true...

Answer 7

i think, just like everything else, it should be up to the parents. i agree, that for sure being out to eat and ordering a drink should be allowed,but maybe as the . . . "pre" adult is given a license to drink the parents should be there to sign over responsibility., kind of like co-signing for an apartment or car loan. . the parents are saying, that they believe they've raised this person to be able to accept this responsibility, however, if the child messes up. . then they suffer just as much. .. . hold the parents responsible, make sense?? to me it does. just makes every teen out there more intent to prove to their parents they can handle it. . plus! and if they want to they are going to find a way so hold the parents responsible either way.

Answer 8

when i turned 18 it was the same year the drinking age was changed from 18 to 21
you can vote @ 18
you can serve in the military @ 18
legally, you are an adult @ 18
government could add extra tax for those 18-21
interesting question

Answer 9

consuming ethanol removes the fatty covering around your nerve axons and they then have trouble keeping electrical signals made from potassiun and sodium ions moving in and out of the axon cell membrane.so...
all alcohol drinking should be banned!

Answer 10

I agree with you completely. I feel that if an 18 year old can be old enough to vote, die for our country, or get married, or have children, than they damn sure are old enough to sit in a bar and have a drink if they want one.