Had a short debate about this over the past weekend. I'm a believer that the legal age in the US should be 18 years. Old enough to fight and die for your country, old enough to drink a beer. Maybe limit sales of liquor to 21 years and older if you want, but I don't see much of a point to that.

 

Your thoughts?

From Wikipedia:

 

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 withholds revenue from states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21. Prior to the effective date of that Act, the drinking age varied from state to state. Some states do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in bars (usually, the difference between a bar and a restaurant is that food is served only in the latter). Contrary to popular belief, since the act went into law, only a few states prohibit minors and young adults from consuming alcohol in private settings. As of January 1, 2010, 15 states and the District of Columbia ban underage consumption outright, 17 states do not ban underage consumption, and the remaining 18 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws.

 

Federal law explicitly provides for religious, medical, employment and private club possession exceptions; as of 2005, 31 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage possession laws. However, non-alcoholic beer in many (but not all) states, such as Idaho, Texas, and Maryland, is considered legal for minors (those under the age of 21).

 

By a judge's ruling, South Carolina appears to allow the possession and consumption of alcohol by those 18 to 20 years of age, but a circuit court judge said otherwise.

I'm all for allowing the drinking age to be 18. And since the primary reason for not allowing 18-year-olds to purchase alcohol is the possibility of drunk driving, it's worth mentioning that I'm also all for VERY stiff drunk driving penalties. The country that consumes more beer per capita than any other on earth, the Czech Republic, is a good guide. The allowable BAC for the operator of an automobile: ZERO.

I'm all for allowing the drinking age to be 18. And since the primary reason for not allowing 18-year-olds to purchase alcohol is the possibility of drunk driving, it's worth mentioning that I'm also all for VERY stiff drunk driving penalties. The country that consumes more beer per capita than any other on earth, the Czech Republic, is a good guide. The allowable BAC for the operator of an automobile: ZERO.

 

I'd support that idea.

21 and over...

If you can vote, be sued, tried as an adult, enter legal contracts and serve your country you should be able to purchase and consume adult beverages.

Actually - though not available in the poll I like 19 or 20 better than 18. I am sure most HS administrators do not want 18 since most students turn 18 their senior year. But 21 is too high. Hence - 19 or 20.

Actually - though not available in the poll I like 19 or 20 better than 18. I am sure most HS administrators do not want 18 since most students turn 18 their senior year. But 21 is too high. Hence - 19 or 20.

 

Oh, you're right, I missed that one. Willn a moderator add a "19 or 20" option to the poll?

I've never heard a sound, good case be made for the drinking age to be 21. Please someone who thinks 21 is the best option, enlighten me.

I've never heard a sound, good case be made for the drinking age to be 21. Please someone who thinks 21 is the best option, enlighten me.

 

As I understand it, 21 years old was determined as a best option for legal drinking age following a chain of studies done to look at the role of age in risky behavior conducted as a result of drinking alcohol.

I like 16 for wine and beer and 18 for hard liquor. But, this country as a whole needs to change it's Puritanical views on alcohol and adopt a much more "European approach". If that were to happen you'd see a dramatic decrease in problems "associated" with the consumption of alcohol.

The age should be made the same as anyone who has stock today and watched the fall continue. Any of those people should be allowed.

I've never heard a sound, good case be made for the drinking age to be 21. Please someone who thinks 21 is the best option, enlighten me.

 

I was once 18 and I know a lot of people that are 18 that aren't nearly mature enough to handle the responsibility. Sure plenty of people who are 21 still aren't mature enough but that 3 year gap surely helps a pretty large % of people IMO.

I like 16 for wine and beer and 18 for hard liquor. But, this country as a whole needs to change it's Puritanical views on alcohol and adopt a much more "European approach". If that were to happen you'd see a dramatic decrease in problems "associated" with the consumption of alcohol.

 

Agree completely. :thumb:

For reference check out other countries here.