Lower Drinking Age

[Wilbur]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectID=13&articleID=20080819_13_A7_Colleg706427

Not sure how I feel about this.

I was one of those persons caught in the middle of changing drinking ages when I was younger.  At one point, I was allowed to buy alcohol, then I wasn't.  I feel I turned out okay being able (for a time) to drink legally at 18.

The college presidents make a good argument, but I'm not sure they are prepared to open their campuses to alcohol again.  My campus did not restrict alcohol on campus and I didn't see much of a problem, but I was probably a little biased.

My biggest concern is younger folks driving after drinking, but I also see plenty of younger folks doing this already.

We allow those of the same age to fight for our country, which is another argument.

[mamafrog]

The problem isn't 18 year olds drinking, it is that 18 years olds are often in high school.  If 18 year olds can legally drink, every high school party will have someone who can legally purchase alcohol.  The problem that colllege presidents now have will be pushed down to high school principals.

[tshane250]

Yeah, but an 18 year old and join the military and go off and fight and die for his/her country, but he/she can't drink a beer.  Give me a break!

[Red Arrow]

High School kids should still be under their parents supervision. High School Principals should not need to be so closely involved beyond school sponsored events.  I know some parents supervise better than others and that "should" doesn't always work out as planned.

College kids are away, usually, for the first time. If they have been given the opportunity and responsibility to make some of their own decisions before leaving the nest, they will be less likely to go berzerk.

[RecycleMichael]

When I went away to college, I sowed so many wild oats I could have qualified for a farm loan instead of a student loan.

[grahambino]

quote:Originally posted by mamafrog

The problem isn't 18 year olds drinking, it is that 18 years olds are often in high school.  If 18 year olds can legally drink, every high school party will have someone who can legally purchase alcohol.  The problem that colllege presidents now have will be pushed down to high school principals.

what is the problem?  
you could say the same thing about an 18 yr old at a college party...
a 16 year old picking up his 14 or 15 year old buddies to drive around, putting lives in a 16 yr old's hands...
an 18 year old buying cigarettes while still in high school and giving them to her 17 yr old friend...

When you are 18, you can vote for the city council, be legally forced to die in service of your Country and considered an adult in the eyes of the law.  I believe you should be able to make decisions like an adult, which includes the decision to buy and consume alcohol.  

If you're a dumbass that drinks & drives at 18, chances are you're going to remain one at 21, as well.

[sauerkraut]

I'm against the lowering of the drinking age, it was done before, (done that-been there). What makes them think this time it will be any different? The reason why it was raised from 18 to 21 was because of all the kids drinking and driving and all the drinking parties. History seems to repeat. 18 year olds could not drink in a responsible mannor back then what makes everyone think 18 year olds will know how to drink responsible today? Back in the 1970's kids were going to high school drunk or going to bars on their school lunch hours if they were 18 and sometimes buying beer and giving it to younger kids. I have to vote "NO" on this issue. Opps, Since I don't vote maybe it was a bad choice of words, I have to side with the "NO" people on this thing.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

When I went away to college, I sowed so many wild oats I could have qualified for a farm loan instead of a student loan.

Enogh about your plowing...

While I get the "they can go to war but not a bar" argument, even though it is largely anecdotal I don't see any good reason from the law side. I can only imagine DUI's would increase and drinking amongst teenagers would go up, to some degree. Not to mention, I'm sure some clubs like having the 21 age limit to keep the high schoolers out.

[tshane250]

It's impossible to legislate morality, just read the Bible or better still look around, it is pretty self-evident.  Some 18 years olds are going to drink and get behind the wheel whether or not it is legal for them to purchase alcohol.  The best we as a society can hope for is that parent's (and our educational system) actually provide a guiding compass for children and that the children are actually receptive to what their parent's (and their teachers, mentors, etc) have to say.

[TURobY]

What about a compromise then? Maybe 18 drinking age at home, but zero tolerance on street. At age 21, you can drink in public, and are allowed a BAC threshold on the streets (similar to today's laws).

[FOTD]

The most responsible drinkers the devil hangs with came from families who taught their children early on what alcohol was and how not to abuse it but rather how to enjoy moderation.

Most were men by 13. All are still alive. None have done damage to other's as a result of their personal enjoyment.  

I know many other's afflicted with the disease of alchohlism and are either dead or in recovery. Their fate was somewhat predetermined by having the disease in their genes or their homes.

Better living through moderation and chemistry.....

[Mike G]

I think the drinking age of 21 has more to do with the fact that the liver in most people isn't fully developed until around 21 years ago.  Therefore, if you lower the drinking age to 18, in addition to other potential problems that will arise, you now can throw an increase in liver problems when that generation gets older which will impact the health care system, as well as people's lives.

[unknown]

While your body may not be fully devolped by 21... the liver can handle the weak donkey water beer we have in Oklahoma. I would think the main reason why it isn't changed is lack of maturity and self control...which a lot of people over 21 still don't have.

Plus by the time this generation is grown... there should be plenty of artificial livers or stem cells that can make the liver function again.

[PonderInc]

I say eliminate the drinking age altogether.  That way, kids can learn about alcohol when they're young, and there's no "forbidden fruit" to entice them into goofy behavior when they're older.  (How often do you hear teenagers bragging about how many Twinkies they ate the night before?  B/c Twinkies are not off limits, there's no glamor.)  See other nations throughout the world to discover how this works.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by PonderInc

I say eliminate the drinking age altogether.  That way, kids can learn about alcohol when they're young, and there's no "forbidden fruit" to entice them into goofy behavior when they're older.  (How often do you hear teenagers bragging about how many Twinkies they ate the night before?  B/c Twinkies are not off limits, there's no glamor.)  See other nations throughout the world to discover how this works.

That sounds like it makes sense, but not really. Other nations don't have the quality of water we have. France drinks wine because their water sucks!

I remember the senator from Hawaii, Inouye? who said if we punished kids with sugar when they misbehaved that we'd have healthier adults. But it doesn't really work. Chimps eat rotted fruit because of the fermentation process. Kids eat sugar because it pleasant.

Introducing children by example using moderation and discipline around alcohol is the way to go. I had a taste of beer when sitting on my grampa's knee and hated it. So I couldn't see the thrill of it later even though it was still off limits till I was 21. He died of schlerosis of the liver and that hit home as well. Had some Mogan/David when I was young and loved the look, smell and feel, but once again not so impressed with taste.

In the end it seems genes play the biggest part. Keep it illegal till at least 19.