Recently, a prominent group of college and university leaders has called for a renewed discussion about whether the legal drinking age should be lowered from 21 to 18, suggesting that this would reduce "binge drinking" amongst American youth. MADD, among other groups, opposes any change, pointing to the reduction in traffic deaths since the age was increased.

Let us have a discussion here, as well. What do our Members think?
Zarathustra

I grew up in a state with an 18 year old beer drinking law [Teen Bars in Wisconsin]; any military ID card carrying individual would be served an alcoholic beverage just about anywhere also.
The rational being if one could serve, one could drink adult beverages.

It really did not work out all that well. Many accidents, injuries, and some deaths.

Education concerning responsible use of adult beverages must start much younger. I do mean education not practice.

The drinking age in the u.k is 18,but quite a lot of places have a 21 rule,my local has a 25 and over rule,which i like as theres nothing worse than having a pub full of young drunks who want to fight everyone.

First off, hey guys (I've been so busy with summer and school this is my first opportunity to be back)

Secondly, one of the biggest reasons that teenagers drink is because they think it's "cool" to do something new and exciting that they're not allowed to do.. I think the best way to educate kids to prevent this kind of thing is through parents. Even though I was underage, my mother made sure i'd have a few beers with her every once in a while especially before college. This means that I won't think it's that cool to drink and that I'll be more responsible about it. It's about learning about alcohol through experience, but the majority of the teenage population is getting that experience through parties where everyone binge drinks.

My point is that it doesnt really matter what age you set it too. The kids who are determined to binge drink are still going to do it, and the only thing that can be done to really help the situation is through getting experience about alcohol before heading to parties and being confronted with half a dozen bottles of liquor. I don't see the big deal in drinking, and it's because I do so with my family responsibly, and if others teenagers were given the same experience, then they have a much better chance of acting responsibly too.

Oh, and if I can be drafted and expected to fight and die for my country, then I think it's only fair that I have the right to buy alcohol from that country.

Your mom is a wise lady, Sphinx! We too tried to ensure that our girls didn't think of alcohol as 'taboo' (and therefore great fun) by serving each a small portion of wine on Sunday dinners and when they got older, they could have a full glass along with us, if they chose. Each as had too much to drink at a party when they were older (method isn't fool-proof' - gentle smile) but were still, thankfully, 'sober' enough to know to call home for a ride and to leave the car(s) parked.

Ever noticed how a drunk often thinks they are the 'belle of the ball' and hugely funny? - or worse, get plain nasty when drunk? Ugh. At any age.

However, do agree that if our governments expect someone to defend and possibly die for their Country, they should have a legal right to drink - at least on Base, etc. (In reality, I often wonder if I wouldn't have to have a few hefty drinks to get onto the battlefield in the first place - gentle smile).

At the magical age of 18, a person:
1. Can serve his country in uniform
2. Can vote and decide the future of his government
3. Can be tried in court as an adult
4. Can drive an automobile

In each of these very important activities, society accepts the person as an adult who is responsible for his actions, and capable of making decisions. Yet it forbids him or her to buy alcohol or to drink at bars under penalty of law.

In practice, few servicemen in uniform are denied a drink or two whatever their age, and many states permit 18-yearolds to drink 3.2 beer. In practice, many parents allow, under supervision, their children to drink when they feel it is appropriate to their maturity. In practice, anyone at least over 18 can, if they bother, get alcohol.

Why should the law then be so at odds with common practice, and about this one thing?

I do not think there should be any drinking age limit. Creating an arbitrary age when the state allows the consumption of intoxicating beverages only makes those beverages more attractive because they are forbidden. I think there would be a more healthy and mature attitude towards the consumption of these types of beverages and a decrease in the rate of alcoholism if all arbitrary age limits on the consumption of alocohol were eliminated.

18 is too young (IMO). High schoolers with beer is a stupid idea, lest we forget how the underage tobbacco trade work. One who is of age goes to the store in the morning and buys 2 carton of ciggarettes goes to school and then proceeds to sell said ciggarettes to underage friends for a slight surcharge and they will be sold out by the evening bell everyday. now picture that with Beer (or liquer) and its gets ugly quick. 19 would be a better choice that way the kids would be in college or working

You're missing the point that it doesn't matter if it's 18 or 19. 18 yr olds are still going to drink. It's just that if it's illegal while they're 18, they'll have to do it together, alone, unsupervised, and it will be dangerous. At least if it's legal they can drink in bars, where if they get too intoxicated or do something stupid in public, they can be put in jail for a night or be put in a cab and at least be safe. Kids need to be taught how to drink responsibly from a young age (early teens). Nothing too drastic, just a little bit here and there under the supervision of parents just so they know where their limits are and what it means to drink responsibly.

My older stepbrother just turned 21 and never had a drink in his life. And now that he's legal he's going to go celebrate by getting drunk off his ass and he has absolutely no experience on alcohol or intoxication. And he's going to do something he's going to regret.

Oh, so 18 is too young to drink but not too young to shoot someone the United States deems needed to be shot?

Okay, I can kill someone but I can't have a beer. Doesn't that seem a little silly?

The problem of drinking and smoking is a problem best solved by good parenting and not by restrictive laws passed by the state. This debate is typical of wider problem in the United States. People see a problem (younger people abusing alcohol and making uninformed decisions about tobacco use) and decide to solve the problem by having the state pass a law. If you are concerned about your child abusing alcohol or using tobbaco products you should discuss these concerns with your child. That is a rather novel idea! Parents actually raising thier kids instead of looking to the state to pass a law.

The drinking age in Germany is a ) 16 for beer and wine b ) 18 for "hard alcohol", why I think the whole 21 year rule is overrated / outdated, is stated blw:


Completely agree. Currently we have the problem with those "mix" drinks you can buy at any supermarket (vodka lemon style drinks). They were so cheap that everyone bought them and we had massive binge drinking kids stories in the news. They have now increased the tax for that kind of drink and it has been noticed, that those "dangerous" drinks have had less sales. Of course the industry didnt like it and try to find other means to have their sales as good as possible, but the impact on binge drinking has been quite good imho.

Changing the age at what you are allowed to drink does not make a difference if you really want to, you can do so under-age. It is the education in society and at home that makes the difference.

To repeat myself... Education.

Use not abuse....

Agree with much of what has been expressed, particularly Mara and Sphinx. In France, children are introduced to alcohol at the dining table in the form of a small glass of wine. It possibly is no accident that alcohol derived problems are not prevalent in France.

I believe, however that 18 is adequate, but that drinking in a public place, that is not owned by a licensed premise should be illegal and that bars should be fined heavily, should someone who has patronised their establishment be found guilty of any offence or cause a public nuisance. And I mean heavily, so they are forced to ensure that they do not serve people that are, (or with), people that are clearly drunk or serve known troublemakers.

In England hundreds of millions of pounds each year are spent across the country on the results of feckless youth, not being correctly raised with alcohol, the bars being allowed to sell alcohol cheaply to youngsters until they are in no condition to control themselves in a responsible manner.

It is a big problem here, but unfortunately the Government does not care one jot.