Changing the Drinking Age

[Cleopatra_J]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/08/18/college.drinking.age.ap/index.html

Doing my daily browse of CNN.com I came across this article about a group of college presidents who want to lower the federal drinking age from 21 to 18. I personally think this isn't a good idea, but my roommate and my friend (both guys) think its a good idea. So, I wanted to see what other people think about it....

 

[shanebp1978]

Anheuser-Busch and Inbev would be happy.

Bad idea.

The uninhibited decision making ability of the average American 18 year old is somewhere between Peter Griffith and a subaverage cognitive functioning BGOL member.

Mix in the increased possibility of inebriation on a regular easier access basis and you've got M.O.P. <<<< I do not refer to the Mash Out Posse, nor MOP n shit, but Monkeys On Parade.

Expect to see drunk college students, texting and driving while smoking a cigarette talking to their friends in the car.

 

[Doublea198505]

This Is A Horrible Idea

 

[MCP]

In the UK, the minimum age for someone allowed to drink is 18. There doesn't seem to be changes to the law to increase the age limit.

 

[Noir]

". . .College presidents from about 100 of the nation's best-known universities, including Duke, Dartmouth and Ohio State, are calling on lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, saying current laws actually encourage dangerous binge drinking on campus."

This is the most inane statement I have even heard! They are saying that since they have to "sneak" drinks or rely on someone older to purchase alcohol, they binge drink?! If they were thus legally able to purchase the alcohol they would then drink less? That's like saying by legalizing heroin, an addict will not become an addict.

Expect to see drunk college students, texting and driving while smoking a cigarette talking to their friends in the car.

I agree except that this ALREADY the case

In the UK, the minimum age for someone allowed to drink is 18. There doesn't seem to be changes to the law to increase the age limit.

I do not know how rampant binge drinking or drunkenness is amongst 18-21 year-olds in the UK, but I would garner a wager that those kids are a bit more mature and responsible in their drinking than the average American frat boy.

To squash those who scream, "old enough to die in war, but not old enough to drink?!", I would allow for having those in the military 18-21 drink (which I am sure pretty much already occurs say on base, and within base towns etc.). Let them show military ID along with their regular ID at the bar.

 

[LeroyDibiase]

". . .College presidents from about 100 of the nation's best-known universities, including Duke, Dartmouth and Ohio State, are calling on lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, saying current laws actually encourage dangerous binge drinking on campus."

This is the most inane statement I have even heard! They are saying that since they have to "sneak" drinks or rely on someone older to purchase alcohol, they binge drink?! If they were thus legally able to purchase the alcohol they would then drink less? That's like saying by legalizing heroin, an addict will not become an addict.



I agree except that this ALREADY the case



I do not know how rampant binge drinking or drunkenness is amongst 18-21 year-olds in the UK, but I would garner a wager that those kids are a bit more mature and responsible in their drinking than the average American frat boy.

To squash those who scream, "old enough to die in war, but not old enough to drink?!", I would allow for having those in the military 18-21 drink (which I am sure pretty much already occurs say on base, and within base towns etc.). Let them show military ID along with their regular ID at the bar.

It does promote binge drinking though. It's kinda like you being a hungry person not knowing when your next meal is coming so you eat all you can, past the point of fullness. Same with <21 and drinking.

And you couldn't allow military ppl to drink and not civilians because they would get shot down immediately.

 

[Mo-Better]

I know there are many who will disagree but I say if an 18 year old can go fight for his or her country and possibly die they should be able to have a drink if they want to.

But this really isn't about the drinking age it's about generating revenue. With an economy that's now taking a beating daily they are looking to do anything to generate business. More business = more tax dollars.

 

[Cleopatra_J]

I think that the statement that if you are old enough to die in war you are old enough to drink is fair, but generally soldiers in war zones are in other countries that allow 18 year olds to drink, so they do have a drink while they are out fighting for their country.

These college institutions are not coming at this with an unbiased opinion, they want to alleviate themselves from being responsible for problems associated with underage drinking. I do NOT think that lowering the drinking age will make people more responsible drinkers. Lowering the driving age doesn't make people better drivers. I think if you lower the drinking age, its just going to lower the age that people start illegally drinking. 18 year old high school seniors drinking with 14 year old freshmen is not something I condone... and sure, they probably are doing it already, but does that make it ok???

 

[doggish_098]

raise it or lowering it is not going to solve the problems.

 

[JofromthaNO]

I think that the statement that if you are old enough to die in war you are old enough to drink is fair, but generally soldiers in war zones are in other countries that allow 18 year olds to drink, so they do have a drink while they are out fighting for their country.

These college institutions are not coming at this with an unbiased opinion, they want to alleviate themselves from being responsible for problems associated with underage drinking. I do NOT think that lowering the drinking age will make people more responsible drinkers. Lowering the driving age doesn't make people better drivers. I think if you lower the drinking age, its just going to lower the age that people start illegally drinking. 18 year old high school seniors drinking with 14 year old freshmen is not something I condone... and sure, they probably are doing it already, but does that make it ok???

C/S with the bolded part. Colleges that don't have dry campuses are trying to free their assess from any responsibility they may have with possible lawsuits brought on from accidents and/or deaths that come as a result of drinking while on campus. We all know, from high school, we had some older cousin, sibling, etc. that helped us get alcohol, possibly. However, condoning 18 year olds to drink can cause a lot more situations for high school students, particularly when it comes to partying occasions, especially prom. So, we're passing the problem onto a younger, more impressionable group now

 

[LeroyDibiase]

I think that the statement that if you are old enough to die in war you are old enough to drink is fair, but generally soldiers in war zones are in other countries that allow 18 year olds to drink, so they do have a drink while they are out fighting for their country.

I don't think you understand the reasoning behind why people say that.

 

[Crown&Coke]

If you can vote and go to war at 18 you should be able to drink. 18 year olds are gonna drink regardless of what the rule is. Me and my friends all did it, it was just harder to get the alcohol then. The only thing we were happy about turning 21 is that we didnt have to go to a certain liquor store(that didnt ID) or have somebody else get the alcohol for us.

I dont think lowering the age will change things much. You can smoke when you are 18 so why not let people drink at 18?​

 

[Crown&Coke]

If you can vote and go to war at 18 you should be able to drink. 18 year olds are gonna drink regardless of what the rule is. Me and my friends all did it, it was just harder to get the alcohol then. The only thing we were happy about turning 21 is that we didnt have to go to a certain liquor store(that didnt ID) or have somebody else get the alcohol for us.

I dont think lowering the age will change things much. You can smoke when you are 18 so why not let people drink at 18?​

 

[Noir]

It does promote binge drinking though. It's kinda like you being a hungry person not knowing when your next meal is coming so you eat all you can, past the point of fullness. Same with <21 and drinking.

I tend to disagree. The problem is not with underage kids drinking because they are lucky to get their hands on liquor, binge drinkers drink because they cannot control their drinking. While one may then argue, if they are going to drink, the drinking age is a moot point.

And you couldn't allow military ppl to drink and not civilians because they would get shot down immediately.

Slap a patriotic theme behind it. Hell, use it as a recruitment enticement, it might cause more people to enlist.

I know there are many who will disagree but I say if an 18 year old can go fight for his or her country and possibly die they should be able to have a drink if they want to.

But this really isn't about the drinking age it's about generating revenue. With an economy that's now taking a beating daily they are looking to do anything to generate business. More business = more tax dollars.

Agreed

These college institutions are not coming at this with an unbiased opinion, they want to alleviate themselves from being responsible for problems associated with underage drinking. I do NOT think that lowering the drinking age will make people more responsible drinkers. Lowering the driving age doesn't make people better drivers. I think if you lower the drinking age, its just going to lower the age that people start illegally drinking. 18 year old high school seniors drinking with 14 year old freshmen is not something I condone... and sure, they probably are doing it already, but does that make it ok???

C/S with the bolded part. Colleges that don't have dry campuses are trying to free their assess from any responsibility they may have with possible lawsuits brought on from accidents and/or deaths that come as a result of drinking while on campus. We all know, from high school, we had some older cousin, sibling, etc. that helped us get alcohol, possibly. However, condoning 18 year olds to drink can cause a lot more situations for high school students, particularly when it comes to partying occasions, especially prom. So, we're passing the problem onto a younger, more impressionable group now

I don't see how the universities expect to escape culpability when their campuses will gain the reputation of having drunken raves, loud rowdy students, and wild parties, resulting in accidents, deaths, rapes, and assaults occurring. Endowment money will dry up in that school in no time flat.

Also, when a person commits a crime while drunk, whether vehicular assault or rape, the person may go to jail, but guess who also gets sued? The place that served him that drink or allowed him to get behind the wheel. Let Duke University try to get around responsibility next time.

 

[HoneyDip]

I personally think they should lower the drinkin age but I have a legit reason behind my opinion. I'm in college and know the rules behind dry campuses. So when people in college are 18 and get heavily intoxicated them or their friends are scared to go to health services and get help. They are scared they are gonna get in ALOT of trouble for drinkin or bein drunk in the first place. This then leads to numerous deaths on college campuses that are related to alcohol poisoning.

 

[jucurious]

I personally think they should lower the drinkin age but I have a legit reason behind my opinion. I'm in college and know the rules behind dry campuses. So when people in college are 18 and get heavily intoxicated them or their friends are scared to go to health services and get help. They are scared they are gonna get in ALOT of trouble for drinkin or bein drunk in the first place. This then leads to numerous deaths on college campuses that are related to alcohol poisoning.

well i worked for health services while undergrad and w/ a alcohol and drug awareness group and we talked about this. we wanted to push for amnesty for those who bring in a drunk friend to the hospital so they wont just leave them at the bus stop or on a front lawn.

i read somewhere years ago that teens who had a glass of wine with dinner with family had lower cases of binge drinking in college.

BUT ummmm like everyone said...changing the age wont make a difference we need to change the culture around alcohol.

alcohol is used in the media to relax, get girls, party, chill and all of that....and what do u do in college in ur spare time?....EXACTLY lol. then for some it turns into a way to cope.

then when you add the fact that "its forbidden" to underage people....and bam you have a cocktail for some unhealthy drinking behaviors.

i feel they should work on the advertisement/inclusion of alcohol in the US and see what happens. start talkin about healthy drinking and the effects of healthy drinking versus unhealthy drinking before a person enters college cuz a good portion of people are drinking before then. notice i said healthy not anti drinking.

 

[Cleopatra_J]

I don't think you understand the reasoning behind why people say that.

I understand, I just don't agree. Big difference.

 

[mexico]

I understand, I just don't agree. Big difference.

Personally, I think we're all 'bout dumb as hell at 18 and not equipped with the proper perspective to make any important decisions... but most aren't a whole lot smarter at 21. Personally, I don't think a 16 year old is old enough to drive, deal with the consequences of having sex, etc... but let me ask you this, if you think the driking age shouldn't be 18 then would you support raising the voting age to 21?

Because giving someone the right to cast a ballot, especially in an election like this, that could shape millions of lives in this country, and even more worldwide is a hell of a lot more important than deciding to get lit up on a Friday night.

And you can't be too dismissive of the military thing by saying that the kids can just have a drink in another country. Anyone who's even been to war, and faced the threat of not coming home is forever changed. How is it justified to tell that kid that we can put a gun in your hand and take another's life in the name of protecting this country, be charged as an adult if you commit a crime, drive a car on the same highway in which your poor judgement could end someone's life, and cast a ballot in an election.... but you're not mature enough to make the decision on alcohol?

 

[Cleopatra_J]

Personally, I think we're all 'bout dumb as hell at 18 and not equipped with the proper perspective to make any important decisions... but most aren't a whole lot smarter at 21. Personally, I don't think a 16 year old is old enough to drive, deal with the consequences of having sex, etc... but let me ask you this, if you think the driking age shouldn't be 18 then would you support raising the voting age to 21?

Because giving someone the right to cast a ballot, especially in an election like this, that could shape millions of lives in this country, and even more worldwide is a hell of a lot more important than deciding to get lit up on a Friday night.

And you can't be too dismissive of the military thing by saying that the kids can just have a drink in another country. Anyone who's even been to war, and faced the threat of not coming home is forever changed. How is it justified to tell that kid that we can put a gun in your hand and take another's life in the name of protecting this country, be charged as an adult if you commit a crime, drive a car on the same highway in which your poor judgement could end someone's life, and cast a ballot in an election.... but you're not mature enough to make the decision on alcohol?

Well, first things first. I don't agree that 18 year olds should be able to enlist. They make these decisions very blindly, and recruiters prey on young high school kids with the promise of a free college education if they enroll for some fake ass sense of patriotism. It is bullshit. Perhaps that is why I don't think its just to say if you can enlist you can drink. Because a lot of 18 year olds who enlist do regret it and are just there serving out what they've locked themselves into.

People are more informed when casting a ballot than they are about the consequences of drinking. I bet if I asked an 18 year old about Barack they could answer that more quickly than what are the repercussions of alcohol poisoning is or what the legal limit is when it comes to drinking and driving. It is about awareness.

 

[mexico]

People are more informed when casting a ballot than they are about the consequences of drinking. I bet if I asked an 18 year old about Barack they could answer that more quickly than what are the repercussions of alcohol poisoning is or what the legal limit is when it comes to drinking and driving.

Not necessarily... hell, you got grown folks out here that voted for George Bush twice and I bet you if you caught Elisabeth Hasselbeck in a corner, she'd tell you Barack is a Muslim.

As far as awareness, I could break down the particulars of legal limits and alcohol poisoning in 10th grade driver's ed. That, and a lot of colleges offer this info during freshman orientation.

I don't agree with a lot of stuff that people do and some of our societal standards, but that's part of living in a "free" country. And I don't agree that kids are necessarily grown when they hit 18, but the logic here is ass backwards. How are you legally an adult at 18 and able to make every conceivable adult decision under the sun but cannot buy a drink? What is so special about the age of 21 that all of a sudden you have the requisite awareness that you didn't have at 18. And if they were THAT much more mature at 21 then it came from living a little... aka "fucking up".

And on a sidenote: do you know anyone who waited until they were 21 to have their first drink, because I don't. Not to say that's a justification, but if you have a law that nobody follows then how legit is that law?

 

[LeroyDibiase]

Mexico>>>>>>

 

[nukdollars]

they should change it...2 many kids are underage drinking anyway.

 

[followup]

Doesn't matter if it goes lower or not. Kids who want to drink will find a way to drink. Heck, the drinking age is 21 and look how many kids on college campuses act a fool and get drunk every weekend. Responsible drinking is not determined by an age.