Drinking age

[micfranklin]

Should the drinking age be lowered in America?

[Labrocca]

Raised imho to 25.

[Cobra]

Lower it to 16.

[Stoner]

Lower it to 16.


Fantastic idea. Then they can pick up a quart of Johnny Walker on the way home from getting their license.

Brilliant!

[Elrathin]

IMO, either the drinking age needs to be lowered to 18 (the age of an adult) or the age of an adult needs to be raised to 21.

If you are old enough to sign a contract, legally smoke, go to jail, die in the military, you are old enough to drink and take the consequences of your actions.

[micfranklin]

It needs to be abolished, period. If you can vote and be drafted to die for an unpopular war, you can drink some Hennesy in the bar.

[AlonzoMourning23]

Depends. I've never been a heavy drinker, but I've been drinking since I was 13. My parents would always give me a glass of wine when I wanted it. I typically order a glass of wine or beer when I go out, but I don't join in the excess drinking when people started ordering 3, 4, 5 etc.

I think they should lower the drinking age to somewhere between 8 and 12 with parental supervision. Though parents would not be able to give alcohol to children of other parents, and would be punished if evidence of abuse arose (ie. the kid is found walking around drunk later that night). But this would enable children to learn responsible drinking in a controlled environment.

I'd say put it at 18 though for unsupervised drinking. The main reason for that is due to uncontrolled college drinking. In canada the drinking didn't seem as extreme, though there was plenty of it (the school even sold beer at multiple locations on campus). It seems that by having it at 21 you have unsupervised kids who are going to drink, and when things go underground responsibility usually goes with it.

Basically, put the drinking age at whatever is most beneficial to society. My opinion has nothing to do with fairness or any other the similar arguments many try to use.

[Cobra]

Brilliant!
I think so too.

[Elrathin]

It needs to be abolished, period. If you can vote and be drafted to die for an unpopular war, you can drink some Hennesy in the bar.


You can only vote and get drafted at 18, so don't you mean lowered instead of abolished?

[underdawg]

I think it should be lowered to 18. If you are old enough to go to war, vote, legally be on your own, then you should be allowed to have control over your own body and what you decide to put in it.

[AlonzoMourning23]

It needs to be abolished, period. If you can vote and be drafted to die for an unpopular war, you can drink some Hennesy in the bar.

Didn't know we were sending preschoolers off to war.

[micfranklin]

It needs to be abolished, period. If you can vote and be drafted to die for an unpopular war, you can drink some Hennesy in the bar.


You can only vote and get drafted at 18, so don't you mean lowered instead of abolished?


I said that because there are other countries out there with drinking ages lower than ours, some even nonexistent. In fact we're one of the few countries with an age as high as 21.

[micfranklin]

It needs to be abolished, period. If you can vote and be drafted to die for an unpopular war, you can drink some Hennesy in the bar.

Didn't know we were sending preschoolers off to war.


If by preschoolers, you mean 18-year olds.

[AlonzoMourning23]

Funny, you claim to want to abolish the drinking age, then cite being able to be drafted as a defense.

Abolish does not mean "to lower" it means "to get rid of".

But, yes, we are the only country that allows drinking and only allows people 21 and over to do it. Every other country where it is allowed has a younger age. But not every country is capable of allowing anyone to drink.

France and Italy are ideal countries for no age minimum. Wine drinking lends itself to moderate drinking. Nations like Russia are disasterous for such a policy, as hard liquor is more popular there. These realities are reflected in the alcohol abuse rates throughout europe.

The u.s. is somewhere in the middle, and likely would see little benefit of abolishing the minimum entirely.

[Oedipus Rex]

This is another area where the federal government stepped on state's rights. They accomplished this by threatening to withhold federal highway funding. The one holdout for several years was Louisiana. They more than made up the federal dollars shortfall with the revenue generated from Mardi Gras. I don't know why they finally caved.

[Viper2]

Lowered to 18 for military personnel - maintained at 21 for civilians.

[Stoner]

Lowered to 18 for military personnel - maintained at 21 for civilians.


I don't know how things were when you served, Viper, but when I was in the USMC they usually allowed those under 21 to drink on base.

And it makes sense. If you're old enough to die for your country you're definitly old enough to drink.

[Elrathin]

Lowered to 18 for military personnel - maintained at 21 for civilians.


Disagree fully, Military personnel are no better on drinking than some civilians.

At Ft. Huachuca for a time I was there to do training it was close to the Mexico border where Mexico has 18 year drinking age, the post lowered the drinking age to 18. They found more irresponsible drinking than any other post in America so they raised it back to 21.

Just because you are military does not mean you act better necessarily with alcohol.

However, I still believe that the age of adulthood should either be raised to 21 to reflect the 21 year old drinking age or the drinking age should be reduced to 18 to reflect adulthood.

[micfranklin]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_age

In the UK you can legally drink liquor as young as 5 years old. And in some countries like Thailand the age is high, but its hardly enforced.

[Professor]

I don't think there should be one. It does more harm than good. Kids don't drink in their parents house, then go to college and binge drink. Alcohol wouldn't be such a big deal if it was allowed all along.

[Guitarmitch]

I think it needs to be raised to 25. I think the driving age should be raised as well. The accident and fatality numbers speak for themselves.

Ive never met a 21 year old who could drink responsibly.

[micfranklin]

I think it needs to be raised to 25. I think the driving age should be raised as well. The accident and fatality numbers speak for themselves.

Ive never met a 21 year old who could drink responsibly.


It's not all about statistics, though. And you really shouldn't base all people who drink on the people you've seen.

[firefox]

Prohibiting any substance is a bad idea. It drives up the cost of the product, making people more willing to cheat, steal, and harass to get it. Countries that have lower drinking ages on average experience less cases of substance abuse. The major reason for this, IMHO, is that when everyone can have it, it's not a big deal anymore so the magic of "being a rebel" and whatnot gets undermined. Also, tons of money and tears would be saved by no longer having to try to enforce such silly laws. After all, it's not stopping underage drinking now, is it? If kids want to get wasted or high or whatever they are going to do it, and you can't stop them with a law. Instead, parents need to become responsible and take charge of the situation themselves before it gets out of hand. Who's raising the kid? The parents or the state here?

[AlonzoMourning23]

Prohibiting any substance is a bad idea. It drives up the cost of the product, making people more willing to cheat, steal, and harass to get it. Countries that have lower drinking ages on average experience less cases of substance abuse. The major reason for this, IMHO, is that when everyone can have it, it's not a big deal anymore so the magic of "being a rebel" and whatnot gets undermined. Also, tons of money and tears would be saved by no longer having to try to enforce such silly laws. After all, it's not stopping underage drinking now, is it? If kids want to get wasted or high or whatever they are going to do it, and you can't stop them with a law. Instead, parents need to become responsible and take charge of the situation themselves before it gets out of hand. Who's raising the kid? The parents or the state here?


But you also have to consider how that nation drinks. Nations where hard liquor is the primary drink show high levels of alcoholism, nations where wine (and to a lesser extent beer) is the primary drink show lower levels.

[firefox]

This is true, but the trend plays out just the same. I think a legalization of alcohol for all age groups (or at least more age groups than today) would lead to a short term spike in alcoholism, perhaps over the following few years. After that, however, the levels should drop well below their original levels. This has been the case when prohibition was repealed, when marijuana was re legalized in various jurisdictions, etc. Americans need to be willing to take a short term hit for a very long term benefit.

[lily]

I'm with the majority here. If you are considered an adult at 18, you should be able to buy liquor. Also something I didn't know and was quite shocked by. My daughter in law has relatives in Wisconsin. If you are of any age and with a parent in a bar, they will serve you.

[Cobra]

If you are of any age and with a parent in a bar, they will serve you.
WTF, that awsome except for the parents having to be there with you an all.

Still think it should be lowered to 16.

[firefox]

Why stop there? Let's do 14 as in other countries.

[Cobra]

Okay, sounds like a plan. I was trying not to be too radical but if you insist.

[firefox]

OK, just bargaining. Don't take it personally! ;P

[MAP2010.wireless]

Why do we feel that young Men and Women have this Right to Drink?
Is Drinking so Great that we are (Dieing) to Drink?
We are talking about kids who just become able to vote, I think Smoking should be 21 or over. Why do we see this as if its a Great Thing to do that our Kids should rush into it.

Don't we have enuff young people dieing as it is?

Mark

[lily]

Map, if they're old enough to figure out who to vote for, they are certainly old enough to decide if they want a beer or not.

[MAP2010.wireless]

Map, if they're old enough to figure out who to vote for, they are certainly old enough to decide if they want a beer or not.


Drinking is bad, and I don't want kids to drink. So I think most people should not drink, I would spank my kids but if he or she was drinking.

Mark

[lily]

Map, it's not a matter of it being good or bad for you. It's a matter of if you're old enough to vote, enlist in the army and sign a contract, you're old enough to decide if you want a drink. As for spanking your kid.......at 18, I'd like to see you try.:P

[MAP2010.wireless]

Map, it's not a matter of it being good or bad for you. It's a matter of if you're old enough to vote, enlist in the army and sign a contract, you're old enough to decide if you want a drink. As for spanking your kid.......at 18, I'd like to see you try.:P


Well I hope by then he will know better, I was 13 when I start to drink.
I did so till I was 21, I glad that I'm still alive. I know kids don't understand what could happen if they drink to much, I was lucky I was out in the mid of nowhere in La Verina, Tx so for miles you could just drive back roads. I'm just saying its fine where its at.

[underdawg]

Thats why as a parent you explain to them the dangers involved with drinking and drugs while they are still young and hopefully they will have listened to you. Once they are old enough to leave home, they should be old enough to make decisions about drinking and drugs on their own.

[lily]

Well I hope by then he will know better, I was 13 when I start to drink.
I did so till I was 21, I glad that I'm still alive. I know kids don't understand what could happen if they drink to much, I was lucky I was out in the mid of nowhere in La Verina, Tx so for miles you could just drive back roads. I'm just saying its fine where its at.


I don't have any statistics to back me up, but in my opinion, I would think more teen accidents happen because they are not paying attention. Too many kids in the car, putting in a CD, talking on a cell phone, talking to their friends, not familiar with driving in the rain or snow......things like that.

[Anti-Racism]

Please abolish the drinking age, establish public transportation, and make DUI a five-year minimum.

:)

[MAP2010.wireless]

Well I hope by then he will know better, I was 13 when I start to drink.
I did so till I was 21, I glad that I'm still alive. I know kids don't understand what could happen if they drink to much, I was lucky I was out in the mid of nowhere in La Verina, Tx so for miles you could just drive back roads. I'm just saying its fine where its at.


I don't have any statistics to back me up, but in my opinion, I would think more teen accidents happen because they are not paying attention. Too many kids in the car, putting in a CD, talking on a cell phone, talking to their friends, not familiar with driving in the rain or snow......things like that.


But then when you add drinking to that mix, you can't help but have a higher rate. Kids don't know better about let their non drinking friend drive because they would all be waisted.

[firefox]

Please abolish the drinking age, establish public transportation, and make DUI a five-year minimum.

:)


I assume that most of that statement was tongue-in-cheek... ;)

Seriously, though, who died and left Wireless in charge? Who owns our bodies? Us or him? If we own our own bodies, we have the right to decide what we put into them, for better or worse.

[Elrathin]

Drinking is bad


Drinking is not bad. Sorry, but demonizing alcohol is not the answer either.

[Elrathin]

But then when you add drinking to that mix, you can't help but have a higher rate. Kids don't know better about let their non drinking friend drive because they would all be waisted.


It's called adulthood. When they reach the age of adulthood they are responsible for their actions. You are saying they are not ready to deal with their actions, so IMO, then the age of adulthood needs to be raised to 21.

You can't have it both ways. You can't say to a an 18 year old and are old enough to be held accountable for your actions, but at this time you are not old enough to drink. You are old enough however, for us to draft you and send you off to die.

It just doesn't work.

[Professor]

Part of growing up is learning moderation. When you're a kid Christmas year round and no adults=constant play time sounds ideal. You don't stop to think about the consequences and consider the idea of moderation.

As an adult, or even a teenager, you have to. Teens are somewhat except because they are learning to. But by adulthood you know consequences and too much of a good thing.

Demonizing anything doesn't solve the problem it undermines these lessons. What formed the first gangs was prohibition.

So what about these killers?

Food: Obesity is killing record numbers of people. Should we then outlaw eating?

Cars: Car accidents are deadly. Should people walk everywhere?

Sex: STDS and such. If we forbid sex the problem should be solved.

These are ridiculous. By adoption the all or nothing attitude you undermine a person's ability to make decisions and insult their intellect.

[piratemonkey]

Drinking is bad


If drinking alcohol is bad, why do moderate drinkers live longer, on average?
Most recent studies have found that the trend for beneficial CHD effects first appears when daily drinking exceeds 1 and 1.5 drinks per day for women and men, respectively (Baer et al.; 2002; Hines & Rimm, 2001; Murray et al., 2002; Sillanaukee et al., 2000).

Translation: You have to drink more than one beer a day to get these benefits!

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/ModerateDrinking-03.htm

[MAP2010.wireless]

But then when you add drinking to that mix, you can't help but have a higher rate. Kids don't know better about let their non drinking friend drive because they would all be waisted.


It's called adulthood.Â*Â*When they reach the age of adulthood they are responsible for their actions.Â*Â*You are saying they are not ready to deal with their actions, so IMO, then the age of adulthood needs to be raised to 21.Â*Â*

You can't have it both ways.Â*Â*You can't say to a an 18 year old and are old enough to be held accountable for your actions, but at this time you are not old enough to drink.Â*Â*You are old enough however, for us to draft you and send you off to die.

It just doesn't work.


Well I'm not too sure an 18 year old should be able to join or be drafted. I'm just asking some 18 year old can handle it but there are so many that can't.

[Mayberry]

Keep it at 21 for unsupervised, and I agree that parents should be able to introduce their children to responsible drinking at an early age. But exempt active military. If you're old enough to fight, you're old enough to drink, and deserve to do so. I drank a little beer and wine at family gatherings when I was a kid, and I'm none the worse for wear.

[MAP2010.wireless]

Keep it at 21 for unsupervised, and I agree that parents should be able to introduce their children to responsible drinking at an early age. But exempt active military. If you're old enough to fight, you're old enough to drink, and deserve to do so. I drank a little beer and wine at family gatherings when I was a kid, and I'm none the worse for wear.


Can't Military people drink on base, I know some and they said they drink on base or when they are over seas.

[Red Dragon]

Well I think if your old enoough to vote and go die off in war, i think your old enoguh to handle alchohol. And yes members of the miltary under the age of 21 can drink on base.

[Mayberry]

And yes members of the miltary under the age of 21 can drink on base. Not when I was in. They only let 18-20 drink on base in Pascagoula because they didn't want you going to New Orleans and getting in to trouble. We were told it was based on the legal age in the state you were in, which I believe they're all 21 now due to federal highway funding. At the time (1993-1995) Louisiana was still at 18.

[MAP2010.wireless]

And yes members of the miltary under the age of 21 can drink on base. Not when I was in. They only let 18-20 drink on base in Pascagoula because they didn't want you going to New Orleans and getting in to trouble. We were told it was based on the legal age in the state you were in, which I believe they're all 21 now due to federal highway funding. At the time (1993-1995) Louisiana was still at 18.


It might be under the table, I now a Guy who is 18 and he drink on base. I do feel if your willing to die you can have a drink.

But I think 18 is to young for war, it should be 21.

Mark

[slappy]

High school dropouts should be required to finish their diplomas before they can drink legally. :)

[Pookie]

I did not vote.
I had two daughters, and one was killed by a 15-year-old drunk driver who had no license to drive and stole his Dad's pickup. There is no use in making laws where they will not be reinforced in this case.
My daughter died. He lived to fight the court and got 30 days rehab. The result?
Six months later, he got hold of another vehicle and killed a family of five.
I was in the fire department at the time, and a 2-year-old little girl took her last little dear breath in my arms.
He lived to get house arrest and forced to AA. Yay. Two years later, driving drunk yet again, he killed a man and his wife because he was drunk and crossed the center line and hit them head-on.
This time, he died, too.
So, what does age have to do with it? I'm not being a butt, I am asking.
Hugs,
Your Pookie

[lily]

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter, Pookie.

[MAP2010.wireless]

I did not vote.
I had two daughters, and one was killed by a 15-year-old drunk driver who had no license to drive and stole his Dad's pickup. There is no use in making laws where they will not be reinforced in this case.
My daughter died. He lived to fight the court and got 30 days rehab. The result?
Six months later, he got hold of another vehicle and killed a family of five.
I was in the fire department at the time, and a 2-year-old little girl took her last little dear breath in my arms.
He lived to get house arrest and forced to AA. Yay. Two years later, driving drunk yet again, he killed a man and his wife because he was drunk and crossed the center line and hit them head-on.
This time, he died, too.
So, what does age have to do with it? I'm not being a butt, I am asking.
Hugs,
Your Pookie


I'm very sad to hear that, I hear of that a lot. I'm from Texas and I know how many Kids drink and drive and how many take others lives.

Sorry to hear of your loss.

Mark Pendergraft

[CheesyMuslim]

Sorry bout that,


I did not vote.
I had two daughters, and one was killed by a 15-year-old drunk driver who had no license to drive and stole his Dad's pickup. There is no use in making laws where they will not be reinforced in this case.
My daughter died. He lived to fight the court and got 30 days rehab. The result?
Six months later, he got hold of another vehicle and killed a family of five.
I was in the fire department at the time, and a 2-year-old little girl took her last little dear breath in my arms.
He lived to get house arrest and forced to AA. Yay. Two years later, driving drunk yet again, he killed a man and his wife because he was drunk and crossed the center line and hit them head-on.
This time, he died, too.
So, what does age have to do with it? I'm not being a butt, I am asking.
Hugs,
Your Pookie



1. This freakin drunk should of gone to prison for 40 years after killing your daughter.
2. And should never of been on the road again after doing what he did to your daughter.
3. I am saddened that this happened to her, and for your loss.
4. I think I would be mad as hell at all drunks from that point on if that happened to me.
4. a) And I would start a *Catch All Tankers Network* CAT NETWORK
4. b) Where you and a network of folks would monitor bars at night, and when you saw a drunk driving away in his/her car or truck you would call 911 and get the freakin creep arrested on the spot!!!!!!
5. And would do all I could to make drunks lives miserable as hell.
6. And petition the government to clamp down on these killers, once and for ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7. DAMN THEM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards,
SirJamesofTexas

[lily]

4. a) And I would start a *Catch All Tankers Network* CAT NETWORK

You know Chess, just when you exacerbate me, you come up with the perfect acronym for Pookie. Sometimes you really do amaze me!