Should the drinking age in th U.S be lowered?

Answer 1

Yes. 18 should be the age of majority for everything: alcohol, driving, scary movies, porn, cigarettes, firearms, military service, marriage, voting, gambling, lawsuits et cetera. We drag out adolescence way too long in this country.

Answer 2

Wow, I picked this topic to push my points over 1000.

OK, my two cents. Yes, I think it should be lowered.
at 18, a person can get a full time job, they can move out on their own, they can join the military and die for their country... but they can't have a beer?

If at 18 a person is considered an adult, then all other rights and privileges should be extended to them at that age. Take an example from other countries where the drinking age is lower, there isn't anarchy in the streets there.

Now look back here, kids are drinking at 18, and some are not being responsible with it. Why? Because it is rebellious and bad, something that can only be done to excess to prove how cool and grown up you can be. at 21 when they can legally drink you don't see as much glamor surrounding alcohol, it isn't because they are older and more mature, it is because it isn't illegal anymore. Take away the illegality at 18 and the thrill kind of looses its appeal.

Answer 3

I think that if they don't want to lower the age for drinking (understandably); than they should RAISE the age for which you can fight in the Army, Marines, etc. Recruiters are disgusting vultures who convince kids into joining the armed forces, and for what? Money that wont even cover an out of state college education! All for risking your life? Kids 18 and under don't understand fully what they are getting into. A lot just think "oh cool, this will be just like medal of honor, BUT FOR REAL!"

Sorry about being a bit 'ranty', but if your non-biased you'll find it is true. And this isn't to say all the soldiers we have are like this, its just more of the soldiers under 21. Its not meant to be a generalization or stereotype. Its just is what it is.

All that being said, to answer the question, no it shouldn't.

Answer 4

Yes. Lower the drinking age and there will be so much more talent in the local bars and clubs that I can choose from. I could also bring my girl to the bar to have a drink with me when I am not searching for her replacement. Good times!!!

Answer 5

Nope...Why?Because the adults can't handle it, how are the younger one that see this example ,going to be able to...
It was tried in a few states in the seventies I believe Wisconsin was one.The rate of accidents increased and children under the age of eighteen were getting alcohol from the eighteen year old.The snowball affect,was the problem,abuse arrest and more alcohol related suicides and deaths from accidents.
I'm sure there are responsible teens ,but the ones that use and abuse,Spoil it for the others.
The campaign in most alcohol Ads ,now reads DRINK RESPONSIBLE?.

Answer 6

It was lowered to 18 once before back in 1974 when I was 19. I felt like I was ripped for a year, but nothing really changed. bars back then did not check IDs the way they have to today. Even back then if you were drunk, bartenders would cut you off. And friends did not let you drive.

What has changed is today's lawyers sue using the deep pocket method. Rather then sue the drunk who had a accident (ad no money), they sue the place where he got the alcohol.

Answer 7

Yes and No. Yes, mabe to the age 18 because then kids wont really want it, they want what they dont have and dont appreciate the things that they do. .(that goes for some teens not all of them!) I know many teens that drink and party. And No because the brain isn't completely done developing and it can cause problems if abused! Their is a possibility of more teen deaths because its obvious they drink to get drunk - and they dont know what they are doing- some pull stupid stunts and get them selfs hurt!

Answer 8

No. While it is true, those not of the legal age to drink will continue to find ways of obtaining alcohol, lowering the age will not solve anything. In my experience, even adults way past the legal drinking age still don't have the maturity to handle alcohol.

Answer 9

I am underage but I say it needs to be raised. Kids do not know how to handle their alchol consumption. You have kids who are 15-17 hanging out with 21 yr olds so they are getting their beer as often as they wihs. But I believe that if the drinking age would be raised you would stop some of the younger kids from drinking.

Answer 10

im mixed on this one on one hand i see 21 yrs olds that come in my bar that go over board and throw up in my bathrooms so i keep plenty of kitty litter on hand so in that since i think it should be raised but when i was married to a military man im with a few others that going through military traing makes most people grow up so they should be allowed to drink

Answer 11

Definitely NOT. There are too many drunks out on the streets to begin with without creating more.
There is so much More to life than getting DRUNK. Watch a Drunk, and see how they make fools of themselves. to say nothing of what it does to a persons health, and next day headaches and feeling like he... NOT worth it. and there is no shame in being the one in the crowd who drinks milk, water, soda, or any fruit juice. THAT'S commendable, shows you have a back bone and courage, and morals, and are not willing to be a sheep and follow the other sheep.