Drinking Age Discussion

[Sousuke 1,214]

My view is that the drinking age should be 16 in any state that has a graduated licensing system that doesn't allow a full license until 18.

Dwight B. Heath knows what he is about to say will sound a little crazy to most people.

When asked what the minimum legal drinking age should be in the U.S., Heath says 8, or maybe even 6.

No, the Brown University anthropology professor is not advocating getting kids drunk. Instead he favors a cultural model, common in countries like France or Italy, where parents serve small amounts of wine to their children at family meals.

By doing this, he says, parents educate their kids about alcohol and rob drinking of its taboo allure, which can make rebellious teenagers sneak off to basements and backwoods to binge drink far from adult supervision.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/16/us/legal-drinking-age/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

[mota bhai 2,675]

Actually, I'm for bringing back Prohibition.

[Sousuke 1,214]

Actually, I'm for bringing back Prohibition.

Outlaw beer and only outlaws will have beer. (myself included)

[mota bhai 2,675]

Outlaw beer and only outlaws will have beer. (myself included)

Obviously, beer manufacturers will be mandated to biometrically identify the bottle holder and explode if held by an unauthorized individual.

[Teddy B 17,252]

My view is that the drinking age should be 16 in any state that has a graduated licensing system that doesn't allow a full license until 18.

Dwight B. Heath knows what he is about to say will sound a little crazy to most people.

When asked what the minimum legal drinking age should be in the U.S., Heath says 8, or maybe even 6.

No, the Brown University anthropology professor is not advocating getting kids drunk. Instead he favors a cultural model, common in countries like France or Italy, where parents serve small amounts of wine to their children at family meals.

By doing this, he says, parents educate their kids about alcohol and rob drinking of its taboo allure, which can make rebellious teenagers sneak off to basements and backwoods to binge drink far from adult supervision.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/16/us/legal-drinking-age/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Being raised in an Italian family which did just this, I can't disagree more with his premise that it prevents rebellious teenagers from sneaking off and drinking or binge drinking. Every member of my family, cousins included, were heavy drinkers and partiers in our teens and early twenties. We even used to sneak down to my Uncle's wine cellar at family get togethers and get smashed on home made vino.

Knowing what I know now about young people and alcohol, I would push for the drinking age to be at least 25 if not 30.

[Sousuke 1,214]

Being raised in an Italian family which did just this, I can't disagree more with his premise that it prevents rebellious teenagers from sneaking off and drinking or binge drinking. Every member of my family, cousins included, were heavy drinkers and partiers in our teens and early twenties. We even used to sneak down to my Uncle's wine cellar at family get togethers and get smashed on home made vino.

Knowing what I know now about young people and alcohol, I would push for the drinking age to be at least 25 if not 30.

Even knowing that the 21 laws doesn't really work? I grew up with the 21 law, and no one paid any attention to it.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Just means we need more cops and more spies and more NSA surveillance.

Would you drink as much if you thought all your close friends might be agents of the State?

[SMOKE 1,426]

Being raised in an Italian family which did just this, I can't disagree more with his premise that it prevents rebellious teenagers from sneaking off and drinking or binge drinking. Every member of my family, cousins included, were heavy drinkers and partiers in our teens and early twenties. We even used to sneak down to my Uncle's wine cellar at family get togethers and get smashed on home made vino.

Knowing what I know now about young people and alcohol, I would push for the drinking age to be at least 25 if not 30.

are we related?.... 21 is good. its not like the legal drinking age stops anyone anyway.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I think the whole view of alcohol needs to be revamped. Being in Europe for 3 years and seeing how young they allow folks to drink, yet they have less DUI's than the United States, something needs to change. My son says you can be 14 and drink beer, for the hard stuff, 16.

[Sousuke 1,214]

In my view, any law that a majority of the population ignores should be stricken (I believe there is something constitutional regarding that as well)

[Operator 1,927]

In 1989 the Base Commander at Camp Pendleton had set the drinking age on base at 18 (I guess it was discretionary back then).

At any of the Enlisted clubs on base you couldn't tell the difference between a 19 year old PFC puking up a lung or a 22 year old Cpl doing the same. Anyone who is required to sign up for selective service should have the legal right to purchase alcohol in my opinion.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Even knowing that the 21 laws doesn't really work? I grew up with the 21 law, and no one paid any attention to it.

are we related?.... 21 is good. its not like the legal drinking age stops anyone anyway.

I agree that the current law of age 21 is irrelevant, kids are going to drink no matter what the age. My comment of making the drinking age 25 or 30 was based on the fact that most people don't start maturing until around the age of 25 or 30. I think the only time people begin to take drinking seriously is when they are old enough to fully know and care about the ramifications of it. Of course, it would also have to be applied in a world where the laws were actually enforced and upheld. Make it a felony with mandatory jail time for any adult to buy alcohol for a minor.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Teddy B

[Neonred 3,646]

I grew up with the 18 law, and I think that is about right. I also feel any kid that can be sent off to defend our country and risk his/her life should be ready to drink.

[GandD 5,966]

Obviously, beer manufacturers will be mandated to biometrically identify the bottle holder and explode if held by an unauthorized individual.

Clever girl.

[GandD 5,966]

are we related?.... 21 is good. its not like the legal drinking age stops anyone anyway.

It does keep the majority of kids out of bars though IMO. Edited July 16, 2014 by GandD