Is the drinking age worth the wait?

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


Fun is not the same as drinking, and in fact, I would say that drinking can be the opposite of fun, unless treated carefully.

Certainly, but moderate drinking can actually give a lot of fun.

But at 16 they are allowed to drive. So why shouldn't 16 year olds be allowed to do all of things things too? Why not set everything to happen at 16?

Yeah, and that you can get a driving licens at 16 has always puzzled me - I think that letting a 16 year old get a license for several tons of metal is pretty insane.

My question is whether someone at 18 is ready to take care of a child. If they are, then by all means, they ought to be encouraged to get married at 18. Otherwise, they should wait until they are able to properly enjoy these things.

I don't see many folks who get married at 18, most wait until later. I don't see many folks who would complain if the age were raised to 21.

Actually, humans are both capable of getting children at age 13-14 and taking care of them - history is quite a proof of this. Problem is that they would have problems living in todays society.

Same with voting. How many 18 year olds take advantage of their right to vote? I did, but the vast majority did not.

Here I guess that a wast majority uses this right. The fact that 18 years in your environment can't figure out that it may do them good if they vote tells more about the society than the reasonability of a 18 year vote limit.

[:) Smiley]

Bad city planning causes more drunk driving fatalities than anything else. Americans don't drink any more than other people yet leads the world in drunk driving.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'd say lower it to 18. That's the age of majority. Seems silly to have drinking alcohol be at 21.

[Pekka]

18 is good. 16 is even better but it works only in countries where there is no wide drinking problem, thus the youth is not likely to adopt the drinking style of getting hammered all the time. But in general, 18 is just fine. 21 however is a joke.

[DeathByTheSword]

it SHOULD be 16 like over here...like smokes...and hard booze and drugs on 18 together with drivinglicence....oh how i love my country

[Donegeal]

Your a funny guy, Ozzy!

I will admit, however, that my first drink, and drunkeness, was at 19. It was my first weekend leave from the Army. I figured if I am old enough to do this **** for uncle sam, he can let me drink.

I see way too many crimes take place under the influence of alcohol for me to think that younger people can be trusted to make proper choices while impaired. 21 is good. 25 would be better.

However, I do feel that if one does join the military, and puts their life on the line, that they should be granted the privilege ahead of time.

[Ninot]

if drunken driving and recklessness is such a problem, reinstate prohibition.

Don't pin it on the youths tho.

[MikeH]

Who waits?

[Starchild]

Americans amuse me. My first drink was at 16, followed shortly by my first drunkness when my family kept filling up the wine glass.

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by Ninot
if drunken driving and recklessness is such a problem, reinstate prohibition.

Don't pin it on the youths tho.

Exactly my point.

[Ben Kenobi]

Actually, humans are both capable of getting children at age 13-14 and taking care of them - history is quite a proof of this. Problem is that they would have problems living in todays society.

A very interesting observation. So my question is with the folks at 18, are they ready to marry and to raise kids, because of how society has changed?

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


A very interesting observation. So my question is with the folks at 18, are they ready to marry and to raise kids, because of how society has changed?

Actually a good question - here people often get past 25 before they think of marriage and children, but yes, it is possible.

[Mrs. Tuberski]

I had my first drink at 17 partied through my senior year in hi school after hi school I didnt reallydrink as much or at all. Got married at 22 had my first kid at 21 i was ready for marriage and kids. By the time i was 27 i had 3 kids and five years of marriage and 8 years of being with the father of my children. Some folks can handle a family life at an early age. Drinking is a big difference. I used to think if you can go to adult jail at the age of 17 why cant you have a beer. The answer I found was that most young folks dont drink for any reason other to get very drunk.

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by Mrs. Tuberski
The answer I found was that most young folks dont drink for any reason other to get very drunk.

Exactly. If the drinking age were lower, or not an issue really, then this wouldn't as much be the case. People drink BECAUSE of the drinking age, not in spite of it.

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by OzzyKP


Exactly. If the drinking age were lower, or not an issue really, then this wouldn't as much be the case. People drink BECAUSE of the drinking age, not in spite of it.

WTF? I've never, ever drank because of the drinking age, and I drank a fair amount before I was 19 (legal age in Canada).