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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Many Rights Have Different Ages of Initiation
- From GHSA
By Governors Highway Safety Association - The States' Voice on Highway Safety
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Other means to protect persons from harm
Taking the assumption that drinking causes harm to persons under 21 (physiological reasons for restrictions fail in that people "age" at different rates so those who may not be impaired may still be prohibited from such actions) does not mean the U.S. must resort to law in order protect persons from self-inflicted harm. Many activities that can/may harm (e.g., smoking) are not banned for adults but instead regulated; making a concerted effort to inform persons but allowing them to make decisions for themselves.
Most of your other "rights" were oriented toward granting children privileges that adults already have. The exceptions to eligibility to run for "(high) public office", when we have made illegal age discrimination in the workplace, seem contradictory. Additionally, the only way to actually serve in office is to be elected so if the majority of the voters do not want a young person in office it will never happen.
- polobo
August 22, 2008 12:49PM
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Side: Yes
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Isn't our society based on freedom
The "studies" you quote describe damage related to repeated use or misuse of alcohol by young people, and justifies why parents need to educate their kids about alcohol and abstinence or moderation. They can't do that when they are threatened with arrest.
It does not justify government prohibition for a group of young adults. These adults should have the right and responsibility to make this adult decision. If they make the wrong one, just like the rest of us, they will pay the adult price.
- ClearAmerica
November 18, 2008 11:40AM
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Still an adult.
Adulthood is a very clear concept, “the moment when children legally assume control over their persons, their actions, and their decisions.” Simply because children can acquire certain privileges before they become 18 doesn't change the fact that once you become an adult you should realistically acquire the responsibilities of adulthood.
- mburmei1
December 4, 2008 7:31PM
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Right to drink isn't given by politicians
The right to drink isn't given to people at age 21 by the politicians they voted against. Liberty is what some call a God-given unalienable right, what others call an inherent natural right, but either way, liberty – the freedom to do whatever does not violate anybody's rights – is a right. The politicians get away with violating this right only because they have legions of gun-toting mercenaries in bulletproof vests to intimidate the citizens into giving up this right.
- TomAlciere
February 16, 2009 6:11PM
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you can risk your life and shoot a gun but not drink?
The thing is, drink responsibly!!!! 16 or 21, people are all drinking. no stopping it. stop making excuses. each persons life and their road ahead is their business. they make bad decisions, it doesn't mean john smith 2 states over will make the same decision.
- nysfirefight89
February 23, 2009 1:42PM
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An oxymoron!
What would happen if an 18-year-old arrested for minor consuming ask to be tried as a juvenile? You can't be tried as a juvenile you are an adult! But how can you be tried as an adult for minor consuming? It's an oxymoron.
- mike1948
July 25, 2009 11:51AM
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So right
Your so right. I just don't get it!
- countryboy
July 25, 2009 2:45PM
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