For those who support the 21 year old drinking age, did you have a beer under 21?

Question

I am 23 now, so this doesn't really effect me but I think this issue is interesting. How many people who preach 21 laws have actualy consumed alcohol underage? I think there are a lot of hypocrits there. I think its very unlikely that someone growing up did not have a drop of alcohol until they turned 21. Does the magic drinking fairy come the night of your 21st birthday and all of a sudden make you more mature? I think this law causes a degree of cyinicism among the younger generation today. That said, before you start throwing statistics at me about full brain development doesn't happen until mid twenties, then why don't we raise the age to 25? to 30? to 99? Statistics can be skewed to make them say whatever you want. The facts are that this isn't very effective, because under 21s still drink today despite our harsh laws. By the way my 20 year old friend was killed 2 years ago in Iraq, he was mature enough to get shot in the head, but not have a Bud Light. Quite ridiculous.

Answer 1

YOU ARE COMPLETELY CORRECT. IT IS DOWN RIGHT WRONG...

You can pay taxes, go to "big kid" prison instead of juvie, get drafted, fight overseas, drive a car, vote (PICK THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD - IS THERE ANYTHING MORE HEAVY THAN THAT) and move out.

BUT NOT DRINK... RETARDED...

It didnt stop me when I was under age.

Answer 2

When you grow up (mentally, not chronologically) you will see that young people really have a hard time behaving responsibly in most instances, and drinking is one of them. I think both your approach, your attitude and your rationale is all wrong. However, I believe that if you can bleed and die in Iraq and Afghanistan, you should be entitled to drink a beer in Iowa. Since you are only 19, you are sadly mistaken about the drinking age going up to 21 in 1984. Drinking age is a state issue (not national) and most states had a 21 drinking age since the end of prohibition. I know New York was an exception for years at 18, and some states were 18 or 19 for beer and wine (not liquor). During the Vietnam war, lots of young vets and student activists m,ade lowering the drinking age inevitable. It went down to 18 in many, many states. After years of increased traffic deaths of persons between the ages of 18 and 21, almost all states (with some urging by the Federal government and MADD) raised the drinking age back to 21.

Answer 3

I drank a lot from 14 to ?????.

Anyway, I wish I had not drank before 21. The brain is not fully developed before 21. The law is to protect the health of our youth as much as it is to protect the rest of us from them being drunk and stupid before they are mature enough to be drunk and stupid.

I turned out OK, but think I could have done much better had I not been a big high school drinker.

Another interesting point though is that in some other countries, they don't really have a drinking age. Alcohol is just a part of their lives from very young. One thing this does is take the Stigmata away from Alcohol. Those kids don't sneak out and get wasted and break stuff, etc...They just drink a modest amount of beer or wine.

In America, because alcohol is illegal for kids. It is used as one of the main outlets to rebel against the world. Get drunk, tell the world to F off, break some stuff that is not yours, etc.. The sad part is that these kids mostly only end up hurting themselves.

I still think 21 is wise, but a case could be made to do away with it and instead instill reposible drinking into our youth. Not sure we could easily make that transition..

Answer 4

There are many things I did before the age of 21 that I consider wrong now that I am older. That is great thing about growing up, you realize how stupid you were when you were young. 20 years ago I felt the same way you do, now I know better.

Most young people lack the wisdom and the experience to make smart decisions. Trust me the older you get the more this makes sense.

Furthermore I am all for a law allowing active military personnel under the age of 21 to legally drink. Join the Army and buy a beer... the new recruiting slogan!

Answer 5

I think you are correct, no matter what age they can legally drink people will not be responsible with it. And I personally think that voting age and the age to enter the armed forces should be raised. As the generations go by, the seem to get less mature with age. I am not saying that teenagers are stupid, I am simply saying that the amount of responsibility placed on children these days is getting less and less. For example, at age 12 I was made to cut grass, do dishes, take out trash, etc. These days most kids think your crazy if you ask them to clean their room. Yet they are walking around with cell phones, ipods, and texing "IDK I think my parents are crazy". They use their parents money to go to college and spend 4 years partying and then move back home with mom and dad to mooch when they are done. I am not saying this is all teens, but it is the majority .... you and I both know that. But to answer your original question, NO, I did not drink underage and I do not drink now. I think it's a waste of time to and money a danger to a lot of people other than just the ones consuming the alcohol. Like the ones hit by drunk drivers, the children who live without their parents because of it, or with their alcoholic parents.

Answer 6

I wouldn't preach any laws. I had my first taste of alcohol at the age of 15. That was in 1947. I then drank regularly (although under age) untiil I married aged 41, after which I hardly drank at all. Following retirement I started drinking again which brought an end to my marriage. The thing is, I enjoy the drinking and the company in the pubs.

Answer 7

I don't support the 21 law. If I did, I'd definitely be a hypocrite.

I think the problem with the law, if we compare it to other countries, is we don't learn how to drink responsibly. All of a sudden, at 21, it's a free pass to be allowed to go out and get plastered everywhere. Places that learn how to control their drinking and alcohol at a younger age are more prepared to handle the drinking scenes. (As a VERY general rule, of course)

Matt

Answer 8

I have met way too many alcoholics in my life to want to thrust more people into it. Most people snuck it at an early age but that doesn't mean we have to subject the rest of society to more irresponsible drunks by giving them easy access. Why is drinking so important to anyone unless they crave it or feel the need to excape reality?

Answer 9

Actually I didn't, but I made up for it very quickly after turning 21. My early 20's are a minor to medium blur.

Answer 10

I mean, I'm 17 and I've had a beer or two before, but I'm not stupid enought to get drunk.
If you exercise a little self control, and not act like a freakin idiot (and get behind the wheel), then its not that bad.
But anything over a beer is stupid.

Answer 11

yes i drank, i smoked, i played around with some drugs
ALL STUPID
just because i was stupid and very, very lucky does not mean we should allow those under 21 to drink legally. i used up all the good luck for 15-20 people so it just would not be fair to them to be allowed to take the risk i did.

i would agree those who serve in the armed forces should be able to drink.
with that said it should only be on base under strict supervision.
off base they should fall under all the same laws as civilians.