Reducing Drinking Age to 18???

[JAK]

Perhaps that is true, tfar, but it is at least possible for a kid to learn good judgement, it is not possible for them to change the chemistry of their brain. For driving, I wasn't ready to drive when I was 16, and my parents made me wait until I had proven to them I could be responsible, and I didn;t get my license until I was a little over 17.
A lot of people don't seem to think of alcohol as a powerful drug, but it is. It has as strong of an affect on the brain as any illegal drug out there, which is deffinitley not good for a developing brain. I have seen to many good peoples lives destroyed by addiction to alcohol. I wouldn't risk my childs future just so they can drink when they are 16. Just my opinion. It is deffinitley difficult for a parent to stop their kid from drinking, I started drinking when I was quite young and my parents didn't know, but they have a responsibility to do their best tyo prevent it.

[houdini]

IMO: Theyre all drinking anyway at 18....

[Ms. Detroit]

As I think back to 18 and my college days I can say without a doubt the drinking age should not be lowered. We were irresponsible children and at twentyone we had just gotten a little better. 18 year olds my be legal in the eyes of the law, but that is just not the case in real life.

[MrSoprano]

even if your under 18 it isnt that hard to get alcohol. I know a couple of my friends wouldn't be mature enough to handle it if it was lowered...bad idea

[AAlmeter]

Originally Posted by MrSoprano

even if your under 18 it isnt that hard to get alcohol. I know a couple of my friends wouldn't be mature enough to handle it if it was lowered...bad idea

Sadly, they wont be better when theyre 21 either.


Its not until they get the experiences that life brings that they will (if ever) gain a bit of responsibility.

[Puffy69]

The way kids act these days I think they should raise it to 25.. it really doesnt matter though..They get the booze anyways..No matter what age law..

[Shaun Raney]

Being near a local high school and having some part timers at my job that are at the sub 21 year old range, I can honestly say that it's a travesty when it's easier to get a dime bag, and eight ball or any myriad of perscription drugs than a six pack.

The recurring theme of this thread of "prohibition doesn't work" is pretty much spot on. Prohibition of alcholol didn't work, drug prohibition doesn't work, and the only thing with a proven track record of working is education. If more money were spent on presenting HONEST and TRUTHFUL facts about these substances that are readily available (legal and illegal.) then people would be able to make decsions based on what they know.

As far as maturity goes, it's impossible to judge that. I know 50 year olds that aren't mature enough to judge when to drink. So who's to say whats mature and whats not?

[Ski1215]

It tough to say because obviously it depends on the person. I agree spot on with the second post about the "fight for your country" theme. Having it be an incentive to join is an idea I think would be worthwhile.

My little brother is 18 now, and I wasn't 18 long ago at 22. As much as I love him, if I'm going to just be at my local bar after work, I'd rather not have a kid like my brother next to me. I know that going from 18 to 22 a lot has changed in the way I drink. When I was 18 it was "get a 30/ bottle and get ****ed up" When we snuck into bars or knew a bartender we were akward and suspicious and usually looking to get totally hammered.

As much as its a stereotype, thats usually that attitude of kids I know at that age. The "casual drinking" attitude isn't there really at all.

[JAK]

Shaun, is it really easier for kids to get illegal drugs than alcohol? When I was in high school is was almost equally easy to get alcohol and other drugs. The same person who sold us pot would get us alcohol. I had lots of friends with older siblings who would get us all the alcohol we want. It is increadibly easy for kids to get alcohol if they want it, just like it is easy to get drugs like pot. And to use your example of cocaine, just because it is easy for kids to get cocaine should we make it freely availible to them? That to me is the same as saying that just because it is easy for kids to get alcohol we should make it legal for them to do so.

[warden291]

Originally Posted by icehog3

If all the parents in the country were responsible, that might be a good point. Unfortunately, many are not.

Once again icehog is on the money!!

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by AAlmeter

Aww hell, 2 weeks until St Paddy's day...lighten up would ya?!

2 weeks! Crap, I need to start training...where is my Guinness??

[ghostrider]

Originally Posted by houdini

IMO: Theyre all drinking anyway at 18....

Mostly true, but doesn't change the law. The fact that they are doing it reinforces the fact that the parents are not taking responsibility, as well as the lack of enforcement at some level.

Originally Posted by tfar

The long distances and lack of public transport force one to drink and drive if one wants to have any kind of social life.

Till

I honestly don't think that anyone, anywhere, ever FORCED someone to drink and drive...again, it's about taking responsibility for one's actions, and the parents responsibility to teach that. I don't understand the mentality that one MUST drink in order to have fun, or have a 'social life'. What about having a designated driver? I find it hard to believe that you couldn't find a taxi or a ride, regardless of where you live. There simply is no excuse for driving drunk...ever.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by MrSoprano

even if your under 18 it isnt that hard to get alcohol. I know a couple of my friends wouldn't be mature enough to handle it if it was lowered...bad idea

Actually most high school students say it's easier to find hard drugs than booze. If alcohol was a part of society at a younger age, high schoolers may just stick to booze vs. more dangerous stuff.

[JAK]

Alcohol is mighty dangerous. I have had, and seen others get, alcohol poisoning, and it is not good. Alcohol has a profound affect on the brain, and at a young age that is very dangerous. As I said before, no matter how one is introduced to alcohol, simply because of biology a kid who drinks is more likely to become an alcoholic. This has nothing to do with inteligance, judgement, or anything else. It has to do with chemistry. Like I said before, there is no reason to take my word for it. There is plenty of research out there. Go to the source and read the scientific articles for yourself, then come to a conclusion.