Last Teusday in Participation in Government class we were discussing the drinking age. My teacher wanted to know what age the class thought drinking should be legal. Of course you get the usual arguement: "All those European countries have no drinking age, and they can keep it under control. The US should be able to as well."
On the contrary that tradition of no drinking age was created many years ago in those foreign countries, and I just stated exactly what it is, it's tradition or at least culture. Our culture is full of rebellion, and at one point a total ban of alcohol from the United States, which suprise surprise led to more rebellion. True, the legal drinking age was 18 at one point, but don't you think the kids who were 17 or younger wondered why they had to be a certain age to enjoy alcohol? If they lower it or raise it even higher than 21 theres always going to be those who break the law and go against the restriction of a drinking age. People are creative and have found and will continue to find ways around the law. We have been going by this rule of a drinking age for so many years now, a sudden change of that to no age limit whatsoever would cause chaos for sure. Those who have been wanting to drink would go crazy. I'm not trying to put everyone in the same catagory because there are those who have control, but it's insane to think we can change the law which has been around for so many years. It works so well in other countries because that is their culture, plain and simple.
Age Limit
By neddac3 - Posted on March 20th, 2008
So, why not work on changing our culture? I'm underage, and my mom went out and bought a thing of Bailey's for me to enjoy (I swear... I thought she was joking at first, but no, she really went out and bought it). If families are encouraging alcohol in moderate consumption, the drinking age won't matter one way or the other. And you can't have rebellion if there's nothing to rebel against... those who would go out and drink themselves drunk would probably find a way to do it regardless of the drinking age.
~C
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As long as I can remember, having holidays with my mom meant we each got our own wine or champagne glasses. They were actually cordial glasses, but we could refill them as much as we wanted. It took the pleasure out of rebellion.
I think things have changed though. In today's society, I wonder if that would be considered neglect or something worse.
I think maybe you should have a test to see if you're responsible enough to drink! At any age! America seems to have lost the concept of moderation...
-Sonja :)
"Democracy works only when you vote. When you don't take the time to vote for the candidate you find the least offensive, you run the risk of electing the candidate you find the most offensive."
When it comes to moderation you are definitely right. Binging and alcohol poisoning is very popular these days in America. Then eventually many of us would become alcoholics. We are a greedy nation and will continue to be, unfortunately. ( dont get offended i don't mean all of us, i mean most)
Jasmin Muniz
European countries DO have drinking laws. However they're usually 16 for beer/wine, 18 for hard liquors.
They don't particularly follow them, in my experience. My mom says in Germany, as long as you can reach the bar, you can order something to drink.
~C
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The problem with the drinking laws is that they are just not consistent with other laws. If you are considered a legal adult at 18, why is that not old enough to choose to have a drink? Everything should be consistent.....maybe the legal adulthood age should be raised? No one can join the military, vote, sign a legal contract, take out a loan, etc until they are 21. I just think it would make more sense to lower the legal drinking age then to force people to stay under their parents' wings for another three years.