College Presidents want drinking age dropped to 18..

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roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
4,563
0
76
Originally posted by: waggy
wouldnt bother me. i think part of the problem is kids finally get to drink and then don't "learn" to drink. so they go out and bing

YES!!! I agree. Countries where the drinking age is 18 or even lower is where kids grow up drinking so that when they do get to school they don't go crazy. I'm not a big drinker and i'm 21 so it's no hair off my back but I do think it's retarded that you can join the miltary, get shot at, and lead other people into combat, but when you get home you can't have a drink.
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: roguerower
Originally posted by: waggy
wouldnt bother me. i think part of the problem is kids finally get to drink and then don't "learn" to drink. so they go out and bing

YES!!! I agree. Countries where the drinking age is 18 or even lower is where kids grow up drinking so that when they do get to school they don't go crazy. I'm not a big drinker and i'm 21 so it's no hair off my back but I do think it's retarded that you can join the miltary, get shot at, and lead other people into combat, but when you get home you can't have a drink.
Well if 18 year olds would use their right to vote and get someone in office that agrees with them about lowering the drinking age it would be done.
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
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

I agree.
I've always had a problem with the idea that things like alcohol and drugs should be controlled. I don't see how people can be comfortable with the government essentially telling them, You are not capable of making the decision on what you drink or what pills you take, so we are making it for you.
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
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

I agree.
I've always had a problem with the idea that things like alcohol and drugs should be controlled. I don't see how people can be comfortable with the government essentially telling them, You are not capable of making the decision on what you drink or what pills you take, so we are making it for you.
Well we elect the government, if you feel strongly enough about, at least more than just posting about it at a stupid forum like this, do something about it. If you guys would put in as much effort as MADD does I'm sure you'd get some satisfaction. Of course that might mean missing some good kegger parties but hey, it's all about sacrifices.
 

SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
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.

Nonsense logic for you?

None of the things you listed carries a stigma for NOT doing it. Face it, in this country, if you don't drink, you're considered strange.
 
Oct 25, 2006
11,036
11
91
Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
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.

Nonsense logic for you?

None of the things you listed carries a stigma for NOT doing it. Face it, in this country, if you don't drink, you're considered strange.

I'm not so sure about that. I don't drink, but then again, my friends don't drink either.
 

SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
Originally posted by: Xanis
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:

Actually, none of those things is more dangerous than alcohol. Just because something is ubiquetous, does not make it any less dangerous. Of everything listed, ONLY alcohol and heroin are ADDICTIVE (read up if you do not understand the difference between addiction and dependence).
 

imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
9,148
0
0
It's not like the ones that drink irresponsibly follow the law anyway. They should just make breathalyzer ignition-locks mandatory on cars.
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
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

I agree.
I've always had a problem with the idea that things like alcohol and drugs should be controlled. I don't see how people can be comfortable with the government essentially telling them, You are not capable of making the decision on what you drink or what pills you take, so we are making it for you.
Well we elect the government, if you feel strongly enough about, at least more than just posting about it at a stupid forum like this, do something about it. If you guys would put in as much effort as MADD does I'm sure you'd get some satisfaction. Of course that might mean missing some good kegger parties but hey, it's all about sacrifices.

We elect them, but they seldom do what they say they will. So we are screwed either way.
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
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

I agree.
I've always had a problem with the idea that things like alcohol and drugs should be controlled. I don't see how people can be comfortable with the government essentially telling them, You are not capable of making the decision on what you drink or what pills you take, so we are making it for you.
Well we elect the government, if you feel strongly enough about, at least more than just posting about it at a stupid forum like this, do something about it. If you guys would put in as much effort as MADD does I'm sure you'd get some satisfaction. Of course that might mean missing some good kegger parties but hey, it's all about sacrifices.

We elect them, but they seldom do what they say they will. So we are screwed either way.
That a boy, give up before even trying. You think MADD just said fuck it, it's a lost cause?Well at least you can whine about it here at Anandtech.
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
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

I agree.
I've always had a problem with the idea that things like alcohol and drugs should be controlled. I don't see how people can be comfortable with the government essentially telling them, You are not capable of making the decision on what you drink or what pills you take, so we are making it for you.
Well we elect the government, if you feel strongly enough about, at least more than just posting about it at a stupid forum like this, do something about it. If you guys would put in as much effort as MADD does I'm sure you'd get some satisfaction. Of course that might mean missing some good kegger parties but hey, it's all about sacrifices.

We elect them, but they seldom do what they say they will. So we are screwed either way.
That a boy, give up before even trying. You think MADD just said fuck it, it's a lost cause?Well at least you can whine about it here at Anandtech.

I've voted for the last 16 years. I'm losing any interest in politics as a result.
 

grrl

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2001
6,204
1
0
Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
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.

You're on such a slippery slope with that. Where's the figures? Oh wait, there are none, this is simply your conjecture.


Here's a link suggesting the higher age does nothing to reduce drinking and may actually make some things worse.

A short cut and paste:

Neo-prohibitionists of today typically argue that raising the drinking age to 21 has been beneficial. However, the evidence suggests a different story. For example, a study of a large sample of young people between the ages of 16 and 19 in Massachusetts and New York after Massachusetts raised its drinking age revealed that the average, self-reported daily alcohol consumption in Massachusetts did not decline in comparison with New York. Comparison of college students attending schools in states that had maintained, for a period of at least ten years, a minimum drinking age of 21 with those in states that had similarly maintained minimum drinking ages below 21 revealed few differences in drinking problems. A study of all 50 states and the District of Columbia found "a positive relationship between the purchase age and single-vehicle fatalities." Thus, single-vehicle fatalities were found to be more frequent in those states with high purchase ages.
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
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

I agree.
I've always had a problem with the idea that things like alcohol and drugs should be controlled. I don't see how people can be comfortable with the government essentially telling them, You are not capable of making the decision on what you drink or what pills you take, so we are making it for you.
Well we elect the government, if you feel strongly enough about, at least more than just posting about it at a stupid forum like this, do something about it. If you guys would put in as much effort as MADD does I'm sure you'd get some satisfaction. Of course that might mean missing some good kegger parties but hey, it's all about sacrifices.

We elect them, but they seldom do what they say they will. So we are screwed either way.
That a boy, give up before even trying. You think MADD just said fuck it, it's a lost cause?Well at least you can whine about it here at Anandtech.

I've voted for the last 16 years. I'm losing any interest in politics as a result.
And you really don't have a dog in this fight since you are over the legal age. How about those who are 18? Yhey are the ones who feel slighted. Well they can do something about it if they felt strongly about it.You can bet if they became a large segment of the population that actually came out and voted their voice would be heard and they'd be able to get shit done.

 

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
25,923
17
81
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
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.

Isn't that beside the point? My statement still stands, if we as a society have decided they are responsible enough to hold the fate of the planet in their hands, surely they are responsible enough to have a beer.
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
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.

Isn't that beside the point? My statement still stands, if we as a society have decided they are responsible enough to hold the fate of the planet in their hands, surely they are responsible enough to have a beer.
Cool, put it to vote.

 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
Originally posted by: KeithTalent
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

I'm not sure what the reason is. I wouldn't be able to answer that.

UK, Netherlands, and also all the eastern European nations which were influenced by the vodka drinking nation of Russia for sure.
I'm not sure about the remaining European nations though since I haven't been to those ones.

As for your Spain example, do they have an age limit there?
If so, what's stopping a 10 yr old kid from using his lunch money to buy a can of beer from the vending machine?
 

imported_Lothar

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2006
4,559
1
0
Originally posted by: tenshodo13
Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
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.

Nonsense logic for you?

None of the things you listed carries a stigma for NOT doing it. Face it, in this country, if you don't drink, you're considered strange.

I'm not so sure about that. I don't drink, but then again, my friends don't drink either.

What he said.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
11
81
The point of this is that the 18 year olds in college are going to drink anyway. They are. There's no stopping it. There is no shortage of available beer for them. In no way would this raise the amount of drunk driving, because those people are already drinking. I don't think MADD understands that. I don't know a single person that didn't drink before they were 21, that started afterwards because it was now legal.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
59,208
13,801
136
Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: tenshodo13
Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
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.

Nonsense logic for you?

None of the things you listed carries a stigma for NOT doing it. Face it, in this country, if you don't drink, you're considered strange.

I'm not so sure about that. I don't drink, but then again, my friends don't drink either.

What he said.

Never?
What an odd bunch of tee-totalers.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
Originally posted by: Lothar
Originally posted by: tenshodo13
Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
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.

Nonsense logic for you?

None of the things you listed carries a stigma for NOT doing it. Face it, in this country, if you don't drink, you're considered strange.

I'm not so sure about that. I don't drink, but then again, my friends don't drink either.

What he said.


you and your friends are strange
 

pstylesss

Platinum Member
Mar 21, 2007
2,914
0
0
Originally posted by: RyanSengara
I don't really get it, when my dad went to university in the states the drinking age in California was 19.

Don't understand why it's 21, but you can buy porn, join the army and own a gun at 18.

It's 21 because that's what the feds want. They threaten to pull federal road funding if states don't comply, forcing states to change.
 

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
Parents should expose and teach moderation to their offspring when they are in their teens. Therefore, I support a 15 or 16 legal drinking age.
Otherwise, there are 2 common paths the kids will take. 1.) They will binge, or 2.) they will be prudes who think drinking as some sort of a terrible thing. We don't need more binging, and we certainly don't need more prudes.

i come from a German family (part came over after WWII). we were allowed to have beer with dinner at 15. we were NOT allowed to get drunk. if we were cought doing anything against the law while drunk the trouble we would get in was bad.

now at 34 there are few things i enjoy more then having a beer with dinner or while with friends. I rarely get drunk.

i thought you're a LOT older than 34. arent you retired or something?
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
11
81
Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
Originally posted by: RyanSengara
I don't really get it, when my dad went to university in the states the drinking age in California was 19.

Don't understand why it's 21, but you can buy porn, join the army and own a gun at 18.

It's 21 because that's what the feds want. They threaten to pull federal road funding if states don't comply, forcing states to change.

And the feds want it because MADD wants it. The amount of influence MADD has over these things is ridiculous.