College Presidents want drinking age dropped to 18..

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theMan

Diamond Member
Mar 17, 2005
4,386
0
0
Originally posted by: dr150
Originally posted by: 0
Originally posted by: Anubis
why a WTF
its not a bad idea

it IS a bad idea. This will lead to more drunk driving.

People **do** binge since it's not allowed at their age.

In Europe, kids as young as 13 drink wine at the table with their parents. Alcohol has been in their lives for a long time (i.e. no binging). Drinking becomes a casual experience instead of a "I need to drink as much as I can at this party b/c I won't get any for the rest of the week" type of mentality.

actually, i read an article about a study and it found that most european countries have a bigger binge drinking problem than in the US. which, based on my experience in europe with teenagers, is true. here in high school, since alcohol is so hard to come by, people can only binge drink so often. in germany, there's nothing stopping people from binging every single night. and it happens. i think its all up to responsible parenting.
 

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
17,571
8
0
Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: theman
we need to encourage RESPONSIBLE drinking. kids should learn to drink with ADULTS not other kids in crazy party situations. parents should start introducing their kids to alcohol as teenagers, for example, a beer or glass of wine with dinner occasionally, so they know what to expect and its not so mysterious when they get to college or in high school. kids should see the other side of alcohol, which isn't just to get hammered and go crazy with a bunch of irresponsible kids. it is a responsible and adult activity. they need to experience THAT.

Nonsense.

We might as well extend that line of thought to marijuana, cocaine, heroin, smoking, and pretty much everything else while we're at it.

Right, because all of those things aren't more dangerous than alcohol or anything. :roll:
 

theMan

Diamond Member
Mar 17, 2005
4,386
0
0
Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: theman
we need to encourage RESPONSIBLE drinking. kids should learn to drink with ADULTS not other kids in crazy party situations. parents should start introducing their kids to alcohol as teenagers, for example, a beer or glass of wine with dinner occasionally, so they know what to expect and its not so mysterious when they get to college or in high school. kids should see the other side of alcohol, which isn't just to get hammered and go crazy with a bunch of irresponsible kids. it is a responsible and adult activity. they need to experience THAT.

Nonsense.

We might as well extend that line of thought to marijuana, cocaine, heroin, smoking, and pretty much everything else while we're at it.

i don't know about you, but where i come from, most adults don't shoot up heroin and snort cocaine. there is nothing wrong with alcohol, its part of culture. it's an adult activity, and just like any other adult activity, needs to be taught by the parents. doing ANY cocaine or heroin, is incredibly dangerous. smoke ONE cigarette is dangerous. moderate drinking IS NOT. also, marijuanna is probably the safest of those you mentioned, but it's just not in the mainstream culture, and that's just the way it is.
 

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
359
126
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I think this will just lower the age of underage drinkers accordingly.

nah, that's happening on its own.

I've known people in middle school who get drunk, and for me, it started freshman year of high school (which would be 15 years old, on average).
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
50,231
117
116
Meh, drinking age is already effectively 18 anyway, may as well make it official.

Drinking age here is 19 and it seems to work fine.

KT
 

polarmystery

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2005
3,888
8
81
How anyone thinks it's fine to let an 18 year old kill another man legally but not allow them to purchase a can on beer seems rediculous to me. I started drinking when I was 6...(mom's from Spain) and I would be willing to bet I was 1000x more responsible with alcohol than my other friends when I was in college.


...stupid
 

theMan

Diamond Member
Mar 17, 2005
4,386
0
0
i'll tell you, the first time i got drunk was just because i wanted to know what if felt like. only problem was, i was in a very dangerous situation with irresponsible kids and i was on my own with no one to look out for me. maybe parents should just get their kids drunk once. that would probably have been a lot safer than what i did.
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
I know plenty of people that were just as stupid in what they did at 21 as they were when they were 18.
Age does not make someone more responsible.

They need to stop telling people of age, 18, what they can and cannot do unless the individual proves irresponsible, then charge them for whatever crime they commit.
Alcohol, drugs, whatever should not be off limits once you turn 18. If they want to drink let them. But the minute they get behind the wheel , then is when you prosecute.
Not for something they might do.

If anyone thinks making it age 21 to drink legally keeps teens from drinking, then YOU need to lay off the sauce.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
Originally posted by: Modelworks


If anyone thinks making it age 21 to drink legally keeps teens from drinking, then YOU need to lay off the sauce.

this is totally true, i as well as all of my friends drank much more between the age sof 16-21 then we have at 21+
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
I think it's a fine idea. Give kids the chance to drink with their parents and peers and "learn" to handle the substance rather than arrive at the age in an atmosphere already conducive to complicating everything (college). In that regard I'd actually support lowering the age to something like 15.

I always liked that restaurants in Wisconsin could sell booze to minors in the presence of and permission their parents....or at least the ones my folks and I frequented did.

Are there any figures that show that increasing the age from 18 to 21 had any effect at all on DUIs?
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,555
9,907
146
Originally posted by: 0
okay, lets just do away with the drinking age... :roll:

You roll your eyes, but I agree.

What business does the state have telling parents they can't inculcate a culture of responsible, non-hysterical, non-binge drinking to their children with an occasional glass of wine at meals?

If you remove the stupid thrill of illicit alcohol, and allow parents and society to model a more responsible approach to our young, stupid ass binge drinking by minors would go down, not up.

Banning any consumption until age 21 gives alcohol a mysterious and ADULT allure that it would not have otherwise. And, as others have pointed out here, keeping it illegal does NOTHING to prevent kids from getting his hands on it if they want to, and then only encourages a mindless, immature "stick it to the man" attitude of over drinking when they do.

 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: amdhunter
The US will allow an 18 year old to sign up for the military to kill someone, but they won't allow that same kid to drink...

I think it should be lowered to 18 myself.
For those who join the Armed Services.

No, for everyone. That same 18yo gets to vote for which person gets the key to enough nukes to wipe out civilization. If they're capable of making that decision, they deserve to be allowed to buy a beer.
They're capable but not responsible as most that age don't even bother to vote. I bet if it was brought up for a vote nationally those children would get out and vote.

I don't see it as that big an issue. Those 18 will be 21 soon enough and will get to drink to their hearts delight legally.

 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
59,208
13,801
136
Originally posted by: destrekor
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I think this will just lower the age of underage drinkers accordingly.

nah, that's happening on its own.

I've known people in middle school who get drunk, and for me, it started freshman year of high school (which would be 15 years old, on average).

Yes, and how do you think this would effect that?
 

ConstipatedVigilante

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2006
7,670
1
0
Originally posted by: 0
Originally posted by: Anubis
why a WTF
its not a bad idea

it IS a bad idea. This will lead to more drunk driving.

No it won't. Just as many people will drink - it's just harder to get booze as a "minor" (can vote but not drink) and it is driven underground.
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: 0
okay, lets just do away with the drinking age... :roll:

You roll your eyes, but I agree.

What business does the state have telling parents they can't inculcate a culture of responsible, non-hysterical, non-binge drinking to their children with an occasional glass of wine at meals?

If you remove the stupid thrill of illicit alcohol, and allow parents and society to model a more responsible approach to our young, stupid ass binge drinking by minors would go down, not up.

Banning any consumption until age 21 gives alcohol a mysterious and ADULT allure that it would not have otherwise. And, as others have pointed out here, keeping it illegal does NOTHING to prevent kids from getting his hands on it if they want to, and then only encourages a mindless, immature "stick it to the man" attitude of over drinking when they do.
The hidden truth is Adults over 21 don't want to have to rub elbows with teenagers in bars, yeah that's the ticket.


 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
Originally posted by: theman
Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: theman
we need to encourage RESPONSIBLE drinking. kids should learn to drink with ADULTS not other kids in crazy party situations. parents should start introducing their kids to alcohol as teenagers, for example, a beer or glass of wine with dinner occasionally, so they know what to expect and its not so mysterious when they get to college or in high school. kids should see the other side of alcohol, which isn't just to get hammered and go crazy with a bunch of irresponsible kids. it is a responsible and adult activity. they need to experience THAT.

Nonsense.

We might as well extend that line of thought to marijuana, cocaine, heroin, smoking, and pretty much everything else while we're at it.

i don't know about you, but where i come from, most adults don't shoot up heroin and snort cocaine. there is nothing wrong with alcohol, its part of culture. it's an adult activity, and just like any other adult activity, needs to be taught by the parents. doing ANY cocaine or heroin, is incredibly dangerous. smoke ONE cigarette is dangerous. moderate drinking IS NOT. also, marijuanna is probably the safest of those you mentioned, but it's just not in the mainstream culture, and that's just the way it is.

I was never introduced to drinking alcohol by my parents because my parents don't drink.
I have never drank either.

My parents never introduced alcohol at the dinner table, and yet I don't binge drink or drink, period.
See a correlation?
 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
Originally posted by: dr150
Originally posted by: 0
Originally posted by: Anubis
why a WTF
its not a bad idea

it IS a bad idea. This will lead to more drunk driving.

People **do** binge since it's not allowed at their age.

In Europe, kids as young as 13 drink wine at the table with their parents. Alcohol has been in their lives for a long time (i.e. no binging). Drinking becomes a casual experience instead of a "I need to drink as much as I can at this party b/c I won't get any for the rest of the week" type of mentality.

People binge drink more in Europe than in America.
 

IceBergSLiM

Lifer
Jul 11, 2000
29,932
3
81
I don't know anyone who doesn't drink because its illegal. Similarly I don't know anyone that doesn't do drugs because its illegal.
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: 0
okay, lets just do away with the drinking age... :roll:

You roll your eyes, but I agree.

What business does the state have telling parents they can't inculcate a culture of responsible, non-hysterical, non-binge drinking to their children with an occasional glass of wine at meals?

If you remove the stupid thrill of illicit alcohol, and allow parents and society to model a more responsible approach to our young, stupid ass binge drinking by minors would go down, not up.

Banning any consumption until age 21 gives alcohol a mysterious and ADULT allure that it would not have otherwise. And, as others have pointed out here, keeping it illegal does NOTHING to prevent kids from getting his hands on it if they want to, and then only encourages a mindless, immature "stick it to the man" attitude of over drinking when they do.
The hidden truth is Adults over 21 don't want to have to rub elbows with teenagers in bars, yeah that's the ticket.
Bars can set their own age requirements. Many already do.
 

Joemonkey

Diamond Member
Mar 3, 2001
8,859
2
0
Originally posted by: theman
Originally posted by: Xanis
Originally posted by: theman
and just for some extra information, in Germany, where the drinking age is 16 (beer/wine) the drunk driving laws are extremely harsh. granted, you can't drive a car until 18, you can drive a motorcycle at 16. there is a certain period (a few years maybe) where there's a zero tolerance policy. any alcohol in your system and your license is revoked. it's a good idea. nobody should EVER drive with any alcohol in them. that .08 bull is ridiculous.

I was a fan of you until you said "nobody should EVER drive with any alcohol in them". While I agree that the legal limit may be a little high for some people, not being allowed to have ANY alcohol in your system to drive is ridiculous. For example, my dad often goes out to dinner and has a beer. He's not even close to being remotely intoxicated and he has no problem whatsoever driving, and is certainly not impaired. You're saying that he shouldn't drive?

what proof do you have that he isn't intoxicated? hundredths of seconds can often come between life and death on the road.

sheesh if you eat a big meal same could be said for blood sugar and blood pressure differences, not to mention if he's a bit tired or distracted
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
50,231
117
116
Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: dr150
Originally posted by: 0
Originally posted by: Anubis
why a WTF
its not a bad idea

it IS a bad idea. This will lead to more drunk driving.

People **do** binge since it's not allowed at their age.

In Europe, kids as young as 13 drink wine at the table with their parents. Alcohol has been in their lives for a long time (i.e. no binging). Drinking becomes a casual experience instead of a "I need to drink as much as I can at this party b/c I won't get any for the rest of the week" type of mentality.

People binge drink more in Europe than in America.

In the UK maybe, but I haven't noticed that in any of the other European countries I've visited.

What about Japan (Spain too)? I can hit up a vending machine and grab a beer anywhere at anytime of day and it seems to work ok. I know it's a different culture, but still. Maybe the US just couldn't handle it?

KT
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: loup garou
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: 0
okay, lets just do away with the drinking age... :roll:

You roll your eyes, but I agree.

What business does the state have telling parents they can't inculcate a culture of responsible, non-hysterical, non-binge drinking to their children with an occasional glass of wine at meals?

If you remove the stupid thrill of illicit alcohol, and allow parents and society to model a more responsible approach to our young, stupid ass binge drinking by minors would go down, not up.

Banning any consumption until age 21 gives alcohol a mysterious and ADULT allure that it would not have otherwise. And, as others have pointed out here, keeping it illegal does NOTHING to prevent kids from getting his hands on it if they want to, and then only encourages a mindless, immature "stick it to the man" attitude of over drinking when they do.
The hidden truth is Adults over 21 don't want to have to rub elbows with teenagers in bars, yeah that's the ticket.
Bars can set their own age requirements. Many already do.
Well there you go. Frankly I think women should be able to drink and get into bars at 18 but guys have to wait until they are 25.
 
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
3
81
it is absolutely ludicrous to me that we even tolerate laws that restrict what we can do to / consume with our own bodies

fundamental human right

i would support the elimination of all age restrictions
 

grrl

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2001
6,204
1
0
Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The reason why most states have a 21 drinking age is because the federal gov threatened to pull highway funds if they didn't.

Yep. They wanted all states to have the same drinking age to stop minors from driving over state lines to drink where the age was lower.