Drinking age.

[2D]

What are your thoughts on the drinking age? Should it be lowered or raised? Should alcohol be abolished or made legal for everyone to drink no matter of their age? I would love to hear what everyone has to say.

[theOperaGhost]

Alcohol should NOT be made legal for every age. I think the drinking age in America should be lowered to 19 (like it is in several parts of Canada). Why don't I think 18? Simply because a lot of 18 year olds are still in high school and would easily be able to bootleg to their underage friends. Bootlegging already happens enough as it is with the age at 21, but if it were 18, it would be so much worse. This is the only reason I like the age being 21. The reason I think it should be 19 however is because it would be more similar to other countries.

In my area, we have a major problem. That problem is that we have a very large amount of Canadian students at my college (about 1000, or 1/3 of the student body). They can drink at home, but they can't drink here. They still think they can get away with here though. The Canadians are rather heavy drinkers down here.

[2D]

Of course it should not be legal for every age. I was just giving extremes. Meh. But I think it should be legal for 16+ solely for the fact that when a lot people turn 21 they get hammered a lot and cause accidents. If it were 16 then by the time many kids actually had cars the novelty of drinking (legally) would have worn off. But that's just my thought.

And to compensate for the drinking age being lowered the laws for DUI's should be much more severe and maybe make kids wait till they turn 17 before they can get a permit. I'm just throwing ideas around now.

[theOperaGhost]

I got my permit when I was 14 and my license when I was 15. Bought my own car when I was 16. I think the drinking age is fine where it is at and that the driving age should NOT be made higher. Hopefully kids have a job by they are 17 and the majority of parents aren't going to want to drive their kids to work. People are going to drink and drive, whether they are 16 or 17 or 21...it's never going to be stopped. At least at 21, they will have several more years of driving experience.

[INFERNO]

I think that the age should be 21 because hopefully by then they'll have enough experience with life to be able to know when it is acceptable to drink and to control their drinking. I know that this isn't going to be true for all people 21 and over but it's the best of the worst. The problem though of course is that people under 21 are still going to want to drink and they're going to drink underage. If we set the drinking age lower, say to 16, then they're going to drink legally too. Either way, people are going to drink underage, while driving, etc... . It's of course problematic because people can drink underage and not get caught if they don't make a big scene in public or have an enormous loud party. But the next problem is that it's hard to enforce this law because the legal system is already jam-packed as it is, so either the officers may give a warning, ignore it, fine it or actually arrest them. At least if the age is 21, then hopefully it's realized that the consequences of not controlling their drinking and doing something harmful can have greater consequences, such as with drinking and driving.

[enzenzz]

Whether you higher or lower the limit that still won't stop people from over-indulging legally or not.

There should be some sort of test to determine if a person is qualified to drink alcohol responsibly. Age is simple a number, but maturity is simply assumed and it would be way too expensive to check whether a person is mature enough. Not to mention a blow on corporate profits if that would be effected.

[INFERNO]

There should be some sort of test to determine if a person is qualified to drink alcohol responsibly. Age is simple a number, but maturity is simply assumed and it would be way too expensive to check whether a person is mature enough. Not to mention a blow on corporate profits if that would be effected.

What are you proposing that such a test measures other than maturity? If someone is to drink responsibly, then it makes some sense to see if they are mature enough in the first place. The problem I can see though is that enforcing the law would be ridiculously difficult because officers cannot easily tell who is now qualified to drink without going up and asking them. Technically, by this idea, a 12-year old could drink while a 22-year old couldn't drink. That doesn't make much sense to me because it'd be chaotic.

[mrmcdonaldduck]

there should be an alcohol designed for people at 16, made so that its safer and has a smaller alcohol content.

That way, kids could drink under supervision legally with a safer alcohol.

[Stevo 69]

I think it should be raised because look at whats going on now, every weekend teens especially are going out, going to nightclubs, getting drunk, getting arrested and ending up feeling like shit. But because this happens so often, people get addicted and become alcoholics, which leads to liver failures, which can lead to an early death.

So, if it was raised people couldn't go to pubs or nightclubs, then there would be less hassle and less access to alcohol.

[Camazotz]

I don't think anyone should be drinking alcohol. However, we all know banning alcohol won't do anyone any good. If there is an age limit, anywhere between 19-22 is fine by me.

[Sage]

I don't care for laws that can't be enforced. If you want a certain age requirement to purchase alcohol, though, go with 17 or 18. Most kids are done with highschool by that age anyway.

[theOperaGhost]

there should be an alcohol designed for people at 16, made so that its safer and has a smaller alcohol content.

That way, kids could drink under supervision legally with a safer alcohol.

They'll just drink more of it...you can't make a "safer" alcohol.

[thepieman]

In the UK there are too many laws on this. It's widely accepted that you have to be 18, but then you are apparently able to have it at 16 in a pub with a meal, then there is even a law stating you can have a small amount in your own home with adult supervision as young as 5!

So the law is really confusing on this, while its not very enforceable. The fact is that people will just get the alcohol anyway and drink it, I should know I've done it enough. The hardest part is getting hold of it but once you have it there's not much people can do.

But when I think it through, I think that there should be two age limits. One at 13 to drink small, safe amounts under adult supervision and one at 18 to drink more elsewhere and to buy it.

[Contra]

Here it is at 16, I think it is enough or maybe higher, I don't know.
When we are younger, our body is not really ready for something like alcohol, so age is a very important factor.

[Jake'sMommy.x]

It's 18's here :)

[CaptainObvious]

It should be legal at the age of majority, whatever that is. If the age of majority is 18, it should be legal then. Just like every other substance, imo.

[Rainstorm]

It should be legal at the age of majority, whatever that is. If the age of majority is 18, it should be legal then. Just like every other substance, imo.

I disagree with this. At 18, some kids are still in High School, which would possibly cause many more underclassman to get it that now, if so.

[CaptainObvious]

I disagree with this. At 18, some kids are still in High School, which would possibly cause many more underclassman to get it that now, if so.

There's lots of 19 year olds in American high schools, too. I don't view that consequence as a valid reason to restrict the liberties of legal adults. If they provide alcohol to minors, that would then be their responsibility, but the fact that they could is insufficient reason to preclude their consumption.

[Aves]

I think that where it's at is perfectly fine. 21 is a reasonable age, and one of the reasons that is 21 is because your frontal lobe is still forming, the part that controls judgment, until around 23. Beer slows down that process, or could permanently damage your frontal lobe.

[Sage]

I think that where it's at is perfectly fine. 21 is a reasonable age, and one of the reasons that is 21 is because your frontal lobe is still forming, the part that controls judgment, until around 23. Beer slows down that process, or could permanently damage your frontal lobe.

It's bad for you, so let's make a law against it. Right.

[2D]

There's a lot of stuff that's bad, driving is bad for your health, smoking cigarettes are too, as well as many other things. If everything were outlawed until it wasn't as bad as for you we would never do anything.

I propose we institute some way to keep track of how much one person buys at one time and limit the amount and concentration of how much they can buy. Of course that's just some more un-enforceable laws to deal with. Meh, oh well.

[Rainstorm]

There's a lot of stuff that's bad, driving is bad for your health, smoking cigarettes are too, as well as many other things. If everything were outlawed until it wasn't as bad as for you we would never do anything.


Yes, but if you think about those things, they all take a while to end up severely harming you (unless we're talking about carbon monoxide for the car/driving).

Drinking, however, is worse. Have to much at one time, and it had the possibility to kill you then and there. Last March at a college here, a 19 year old died because his blood alcohol level was nearly 9 times+ the legal limit, and I think that's why the drinking age is and should stay 21. Even if it doesn't fully stop people from getting it, the law at that age manages to make sure we're mature enough to know how to handle it, drink responsibly, etc.

[Sage]

Last March at a college here, a 19 year old died because his blood alcohol level was nearly 9 times+ the legal limit, and I think that's why the drinking age is and should stay 21.

That's another grand idea, let's make laws based off of isolated worst-case scenarios!

[Rainstorm]

That's another grand idea, let's make laws based off of isolated worst-case scenarios!

Yes, but the Government makes the laws like that to protect the people.

[Sage]

Yes, but the Government makes the laws like that to protect the people.

The point I'm making is that people who want to hurt themselves will hurt themselves and protecting someone who is so keen on doing so is a futile effort. Anyone at any age can drink too much. Your example of a 19 year old getting completely hammered under the age limit doesn't speak well of the age limit, it only exemplifies how pointless it is. Congratulations.

[2D]

Yes, but the Government makes the laws like that to protect the people.

The people and a person are not the same thing.

Hell, maybe if the drinking age was lower the stupid people would die off faster. Elitist? Yes. Wrong? Perhaps.

[Sage]

I personally have no convictions towards letting stupid people be stupid.

[Rainstorm]

I personally have no convictions towards letting stupid people be stupid.

So, you're theory on this is, lower the age and let people do stupid stuff, and possibly put harm to someone that might not have been drinking?

[Sage]

So, you're theory on this is, lower the age and let people do stupid stuff, and possibly put harm to someone that might not have been drinking?

The people who only decide not to drink because there's a big scary law against it are not the same people who drink over the legal limit ninefold.

[INFERNO]

there should be an alcohol designed for people at 16, made so that its safer and has a smaller alcohol content.

That way, kids could drink under supervision legally with a safer alcohol.

:confused: I don't think you understand pharmacology nor human physiology all that much. You can make a beverage with less alcohol, however, all one has to do is to drink more if they want more alcohol in them. Suppose Person A drinks a shot of vodka with ~40% alcohol and Person B drinks a shot of beer with, say, 5% alcohol. Shot for shot, vodka has more alcohol, however, Person B can drink numerous shots and get a blood alcohol level equal or more than Person A.

I think it should be raised because look at whats going on now, every weekend teens especially are going out, going to nightclubs, getting drunk, getting arrested and ending up feeling like shit. But because this happens so often, people get addicted and become alcoholics, which leads to liver failures, which can lead to an early death.

So, if it was raised people couldn't go to pubs or nightclubs, then there would be less hassle and less access to alcohol.

The one problem I see with this is that at a pub or nightclub, you can do more than simply drink beer. At a pub, you can order food if you wish, so if anything, I'd say that the underage people can be allowed in the pub but cannot be served alcohol.

I disagree with this. At 18, some kids are still in High School, which would possibly cause many more underclassman to get it that now, if so.

So? At 19 years old some kids are still in high-school. Your point is moot.

I think that where it's at is perfectly fine. 21 is a reasonable age, and one of the reasons that is 21 is because your frontal lobe is still forming, the part that controls judgment, until around 23. Beer slows down that process, or could permanently damage your frontal lobe.

I agree with your conclusion but not with your reasoning. I agree with the neurodevelopment you mentioned, however, I disagree that a law should be enforced for something that's unhealthy for you. By that logic, fast-foods should be banned.


Drinking, however, is worse. Have to much at one time, and it had the possibility to kill you then and there. Last March at a college here, a 19 year old died because his blood alcohol level was nearly 9 times+ the legal limit, and I think that's why the drinking age is and should stay 21. Even if it doesn't fully stop people from getting it, the law at that age manages to make sure we're mature enough to know how to handle it, drink responsibly, etc.

This is very weak reasoning; using a single-case example of something in order to say that it should be illegal for that reason. Also, the single-case example you're using is a worst-case one, not a typical one. Thus, I agree with your conclusion that the age should be 21 but not with your reasoning for it.

Yes, but the Government makes the laws like that to protect the people.

So you're saying that each law is made because of some random, single-case scenario that ended up in a worse-case? I assume then that the age of tobacco is what it is because someone was young and died from smoking too much?

Hell, we could even have laws saying not to use a public toilet if you're not of a certain age because in some random isolated case, a young kid somehow died due to the toilet. Make sense? Not at all.

[The Joker]

Alcohol should NOT be made legal for every age. I think the drinking age in America should be lowered to 19 (like it is in several parts of Canada).

All parts of Canada.

[theOperaGhost]

Not all of Canada is 19. Some places are 18, such as Alberta.

[thisqboy4u]

What about the people in the military who can join and be trained to fight wars and put their life on the line, but they can't drink anything at 18?

[joshuathebrainiac]

I agree with the statements made before that lowering it would cause more underage drinking

There is one thing that no body has brought up this:
But there is a reason why the drinking age is 21. Science. Science tells us that the brain is not completely developed until the age of 25. Science also tells us that drunkenness will cause the pre-frontal cortex to stop developing. The age limit is best where its at because it alows for people to have freedom with out harming themselves it also alows for people to develop maturity prior to drinking.

[Jenna.]

I honestly think it should be raised. Alcohol causes nothing but problems and the further away it is from teenagers (meaning, the more years they have to wait to legally obtain it), the better.

[Antares]

It used to be 18 I believe and then they raised it in like...1984 because they didn't want high schoolers drinking.
The problem is they raised it too high. 21 is wayy too high and I think only worsened it. I believe it should have been made 19.

But I don't think it should be raised or lowered. If it is lowered to say...19, people will start going crazy and become alcoholics and start letting younger kids get a hold of it, etc. People just won't know how to act.
If it is raised then people will go bonkers and start going wild and start breaking the law just to be rebellious.
People abuse authority and break rules just for the fun of it. In order to not piss people off and to keep things relatively smooth and legal, it should stay.


I will say one more thing, teenagers have wayy too much access to drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. I think it is completely ridiculous and it pains me to see high schoolers throw away their lives because they got on the wrong track.
If it were completely illegal, the world would be a MUCH better place I think. (If it were made illegal a long time ago)

[CanadaRocksEH]

Hahahahaha i love living in Canada(mainly alberta) cuz since my old premier was such a drinker alberta's drinking age is 18 lol. Im skipping school on my birthday to go bar hopping with my cousin.

I believe it should should be 18 only because ppl should be allowed to drink legally at their after-grad. And at age 18, you are clearly an adult, and should be mature enough not to go overboard and get drunk every school day.

[AllThatIsLeft]

You are all missing a key point.
When you make something TOO unobtainable or prohibited all together, people want it MORE.
I'm not going to say this is fool-proof because it probably isn't, there are always idiots abusing freedoms. but, back in Latin American countries, alcohol technically is legal at 18, yet many times underage people are allowed to buy it.
Example, I used to buy wine or smokes for my mother. During that time, I NEVER ever, touched a cigarette, or drank anything. It was easy to get, and therefore I didn't care if I could get it or not.

When I arrived to Canada, legal drinking age 19! I can tell you, My urge to start drinking increased considerably, reason? I couldn't get it at this age.

And yes, if the legal age is lowered, people WILL go nuts, but for how long? How long till the novelty passes, and things slow down?

Underage drinking happens, it does now, and it will happen at any age the legal set is.
You are just trying to limit something that can not be limited, and it only drives people to abuse it more, due to the small resources.

and again, i'm not saying this is fool-proof, but what is really?

[clone]

to me anywhere from the ages 18-21 sounds fine.if someone abuses it well... you can't cure stupid.

[benja]

18 in my country cigarettes and alcohol
for me its perfect like that .the only thing i would change is that 16+ can drink only bear .

[ltimm]

RAISED!!! With higher consequences for underage drinking.

[Kitty Purry]

Me personally think that it should stay the same. I think this because lowering it could cause many more people to become alcoholics. But i have always thought that if you serve your country (being in the military) you should be able to drink a beeer. In america we have enough DWI, and DUI so lowering it would only increase that. So i beleive that it should stay at the same age.

[CuriousDestruction]

really people, STOP BUMPING OLD THREADS.

[Nihilus]

It should be 16-18 years old. If you haven't noticed the countries with lower drinking ages have less alcoholism.

[BeautifulDisaster]

Alcohol can damage development.
Alcohol can also increase risk of so many problems, ie addiction, mental health problems, it can also make it more likely of ending up in a very dangerous situation, so it needs to be used responsibly, and it's less likely to be used in that way if it's given to young adults/teenagers.

I think it should be raised to 21 everywhere.

[Sapphire]

I propose we institute some way to keep track of how much one person buys at one time and limit the amount and concentration of how much they can buy. Of course that's just some more un-enforceable laws to deal with. Meh, oh well.But what would stop one person going to lets say 5 different shops and buying a bottle of whiskey at each?

I honestly think it should be raised. Alcohol causes nothing but problems and the further away it is from teenagers (meaning, the more years they have to wait to legally obtain it), the better.Whether they have to wait 3 years or 6 years, a teenager of 15 is going to find a way to get their hands on it. Parents, family friends, random strangers - these are all possible people that teens can get alcohol off of when the age limit is 18, 19, 20 or 21.

But I don't think it should be raised or lowered. If it is lowered to say...19, people will start going crazy and become alcoholics and start letting younger kids get a hold of it, etc. People just won't know how to act. Not every underage or heavy drinker becomes addicted.
If it were completely illegal, the world would be a MUCH better place I think. (If it were made illegal a long time ago)Prohibition didn't work in the 1920's and actually made things worse. Gang-related violence increased since gangs and the mafia distributed vast amounts of the illegal alcohol. It was also expensive to enforce and they had no tax income from alcohol sales. All in all, it was a failed policy then and it wouldn't work now.

Alcohol can damage development.
Alcohol can also increase risk of so many problems, ie addiction, mental health problems, it can also make it more likely of ending up in a very dangerous situation, so it needs to be used responsibly, and it's less likely to be used in that way if it's given to young adults/teenagers.

I think it should be raised to 21 everywhere.
By the age of 18 in our country one can vote, get married, have a family, buy a house, drive a supercar (assuming they can afford it), get a loan, smoke tobacco and gamble. Out of these: two can kill you, two can lead to addiction and all of them require the individual to be responsible.

This question goes to everyone in favour of raising the limit to above 18/19.
How can you turn around and say that adults of 18/19, who have the right to do all the things I have outlined that require them to be responsible, can't drink alcohol because you have to be responsible about it?

[Perseus]

I just think it should back to 18, since y'know, tobacco is legal at 18 and that's worse for you than a glass of wine or a couple of beers.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands it's 18, but why can't it be on U.S. soil?

[Katrina]

Personally I feel that drinking should be completely abolished. Alcohol does nothing else than destroying the family. I am personally experiencing the pain by having both my Dad and mother addicted to alcohol.:(

[Sapphire]

Addiction is what breaks up families, not alcohol itself.

[Marcie]

I don't really think it's going to make too much of a difference under aged people are still going to get it illegally. Also, there are always going to be people, even in their 20s, less mature than people in there teens.. and there's no way to measure maturity. Therefore, it's always going to be a problem no matter how high you raise the age limit. Even if alcohol is made illegal people are still going to drink, much the same way illegal drugs are still widely used.