2007-12-21 06:41:45 · 18 answers · asked by ? 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
Driving to work about a year ago on a Chicago station I heard a suggestion that really makes sense to me... there should be a drinking license not really an age. where you should have to complete a class or program that explains drinking in full. on completion of this program you would get a license. I think it is a good idea. it would show responsibility and would also ensure that everyone drinking would know how it affects you and what the risks were.
Another thought is that if you were caught using alcohol in a irresponsible way this license could be revoked or suspended. as in the case of multiple DUIs. I have a friend who has had at least 3 DUIs he now uses this as an excuse to drink more... I mean he can't drive so what the hell right.
2007-12-21 06:54:45 · answer #1 · answered by ms.pookie 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
At 18 years old, kids in the USA can be taught to kill, sent to foreign countries into combat zones, and get maimed or murdered in wars. But at the same age, having a drink is that harmful?
That said, keep the drinking age at 21, and raise the military recruit age to the same. Then kids should be mature enough to drink alcohol responsibly, and not too immature to make decisions about joining the military that will effect them for the rest of their lives. In theory, anyway.
2007-12-21 07:22:08 · answer #2 · answered by Savage 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think in the U.S. we make the mistake of equating age with maturity. Rather than have a hard and fast drinking age, there should be a maturity test to allow it. I also think it should be allowed for parents to give their children beer or wine in their own homes. This would teach kids about responsible alcohol use before they are given a free for all pass. In other countries like France and Italy they have less alcoholism problems because people learn to drink responsibly at an early age. Here in the U.S. parents rights to teach responsibility has been taken away.
2007-12-21 06:47:26 · answer #3 · answered by smartsassysabrina 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Left at 21
2007-12-21 06:46:33 · answer #4 · answered by Celeste 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Instead of raising the drinking age, they should raise the driving age. DUI is the real problem here, and raising the drinking age to 21 has helped that a lot.
Raising it further would only encourage the kind of irresponsible binge drinking we now see on campuses. Previous posters are correct about other countries having less of a long-term problem. It's really about encouraging people to drink responsibly instead of what they do now.
2007-12-21 06:53:35 · answer #5 · answered by nicolemcg 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Statistics show (as much as people don't want to admit it) that when the national drinking age was raise to 21 that the majority of drinking related accidents and deaths shifted form the 18-20 year range to the 21-23 year range. Removing the drinking age and promoting education about the use of alcohol is the only sensible way of doing it.
2007-12-21 06:46:22 · answer #6 · answered by Mayor Adam West 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
In Australia, 18 is the legal drinking age. It doesn't vary state to state and it is also the legal age to register to vote (which is compulsory here). At that age you are a legal adult. Most teenagers admit to having tried alcohol by the time they turn 18.
2007-12-23 15:46:49 · answer #7 · answered by DollyMD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
honestly since 18 is the legal age for most other things why not? If you can trust an 18 year to make a political decision then I don't see why one should have to wait until 21.
2007-12-21 06:50:57 · answer #8 · answered by UnKnown 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't matter, If kids that are under age want to drink, they will find a way to get the booze. As far as leaving it up to the parents to decide, as someone said, that won't matter either. The kids can "yes" their parents to death, but if booze is in their homes, those kids will get it when mom and dad are not around. It seems no matter how often they advertise on TV about drinking and driving, it still doesn't matter to those who could care less about the life of someone else. The punishment for drunken driving and killing should be just as harsh as second degree murder. Why should they get such a light sentence whether they're 18 or 28 or older. As you can guess, I hate drinking, I never drink and I never will. I don't think it should be outlawed, that's not my intent, but I just wish everyone would drink in moderation. Is it that much fun to get drunk that you have a date with a toilet bowl all night? Nah!
2007-12-21 06:57:46 · answer #9 · answered by Memere RN/BA 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Here is my recommendation:
3.2 beer - 18-21
Beer and wine - 21-25
Everything 25+
2007-12-21 12:06:41 · answer #10 · answered by Acctman 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋