Do you remember your first taste of alcohol? How old were you? Twenty-one? All 50 states currently demand that their citizens reach age 21 before they can legally drink. But there's a growing movement that says mandatory minimum laws may do more harm than good. When determining the right date when a young person can take one of their final steps towards personal responsibility and freedom, what's the right answer?
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I agree with this Whole Heartedly. Granted, you cannot stop someone from drinking if they so choose to drink. That is why we are called a "free" country. However, I agree that lowering the drinking age won't make teens 18-20 or any teen age responsible consumers. Drinking responsible is a choice. A choice that is not often made because the affects alcohol has on the mind of any one who consumes it. It will, however, make it easier for them to go and buy it themselves. The other thing it would solve is the breaking of the law by 1. those consuming it underage 2. those buying it for them. What is the greater benefit?
- UltraConservative August 22, 2008 6:45AM
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As the title suggests, CR isn't simply suggesting we lower the age overnight and leave it at that. We're advocating to implement a volley of education programs which could entail proper drinking, responsible drinking, when it is appropriate, the chemistry of alcohol, how it effects you, and more. Not only this, but licensing programs as well along with introducing alcohol at a younger age in controlled environments (like the home under parental supervision).
- mburmei1
August 26, 2008 8:46PM
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Side: Yes
I respect and agree with your ideas and methods, as a private organization. Where you are going to have issues are the same places that current proponents of safe-sex education have problems; getting the public to agree on a government sponsored education plan. Where do you recommend this education takes place and who will supply the curriculum? I have not read any of your organizations public materials so forgive me if this is addressed elsewhere on the Internet.
I personally disagree with licensing programs for the reasons made clear in my other posts (mainly that licensing a private good is not acceptable policy). Would I be willing to accept such a plan as opposed to the current Legal 21, maybe, though I am not in a position to actually affect that compromise.
- polobo August 27, 2008 8:44AM
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Side: Yes
"Youth drink with the goal to get drunk."
I suppose at 20 I could be considered a "youth", yet that is not my goal while consuming alcohol. Since I involved myself with CR upon turning 19 my binge drinking habits died away almost overnight despite being immersed in a culture of underground excessive college drinking. And now having experienced both styles of drinking I have to admit I greatly prefer stopping after 1 or 2 drinks as opposed to excessive amounts. If something as simple as CR can convince me to change so drastically I have no problem believing an in-depth, hands-on education and licensing system can have impressive effects.
- mburmei1 August 26, 2008 8:48PM
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Side: Yes
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Legal Age 21 Forces Drinking Behind Closed Doors
- From Choose Responsibility
By Choose Responsibility - Balance, Maturity, Common Sense
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False Assumption?
I am wandering if this is a false assumption? It really seams to me that this whole argument is centered around Binge drinking. I have read a great deal of the "Evidence" on both sides of the debate. I have made a Educated conclusion based on that reading. I am against changing the Law. It is my personal oppinion that people, young or old, are going to binge drink no matter what the law says. (From my own College years Experience) I would have to say that during my first 4 of my 12+ years in college, I never once had the experience of seeing binge drinking, not to say that it did not happen. But, What I am wandering is if they are trying to cure a symptom of a bigger problem or just make the bigger problem bigger. You do not cure disease by fixing the symptoms. You cure the disease by attacking the disease.
- UltraConservative August 22, 2008 6:41AM
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Side: No
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Controlled vs. binge
My college experience was going from a state with a 21 year old drinking age to college in a state with an 18 year old beer drinking age. Like you, I saw little evidence of binge drinking. I am certain that it happened occasionally but never actually witnessed it myself. Instead, the majority of us simply went to a bar close to campus where we gathered with friends to complain about professors, debate about sports, or listen to music.
Our drinking was done within the view of law enforcement in controlled areas. No one had to drive to bars (or out to farms as the students do from the college town I live in now).
I believe it was a better way.
- Texburgh August 25, 2008 9:02AM
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Side: Uncommitted
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Off-Campus Drinking
With the legal drinking age currently being 21 years old University policies are forced to be in line with enforcing that age. As a result of this age limit, students are forced to drink off-campus or in secrecy to avoid punishment. Forcing students off-campus often means higher incidences of drunk driving and students being placed in bad situations while being intoxicated. At least if the age was lowered Universities would be able to address the drinking issues publicly on campus and offer help to students who need it. Drinking in a public setting promotes moderation more than a private setting does.
- Bri2010 September 4, 2008 8:34PM
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Side: Yes
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