Raising the drinking age to 21.

[Nige]

There has been recently been talk about raising the drinking age to 21. To me, it's an interesting topic being 18 and all. What does everyone else think about it?

[Toga]

flower that! :P

[tbagrocks]

Like that's gonna solve anything ::)

Also I've said before, they make alcohol expensive or unavailable, kids will turn to drugs

[Nige]

Personally, I would like to see it happen.

Although, with that said, it won't stop teens at all. I know lads who were drinking/smoking at like 14. So while it would be a great idea, I don't think it will prevent it anymore than it already does.

[GoLions]

Wouldn't do anything for a number of years. Basically any kid over the age of 12 right now isn't gonna wait until they're 21, unless they absolutely hate drinking. They would have to focus more on the younger kids in primary school if there's any chance of this working. I myself am 19, and think that it should remain at 18. Just feels kinda right with becoming an adult and all that, that you should be allowed to have a drink without waiting another 3 years.

[stew42]

As a student who's living at a residential college, I can give a resounding no to that form a personal, selfish perspective. Alcohol helps (eg. as I'm writing this Latin essay :D ) I don't get absolutely hammered very often, if at all (only threw up once from alcohol, don't plan on doing it again).

Ok, enough about me...

This year at college there has been some problems with alcohol, and I mean more than normal. There is no doubt that drinking is bad for you. But then there are plenty of other things that are bad for you which are legal. There seems to be an assumption that we know how much is too much, and that we have some sense of moderation and know when to stop.
So if the drinking age is raised to 21, then we are assuming that people between 18-20 don't have that sense of moderation, and  are too irresponsible to have that privilege (ie. they're stupid). If that's the case, then it could be argued that the voting age and the driving ages should be raised to 21 also.

The sad thing is that, as a 19yo, I do think that there is a slim majority of 18-21s who are too irresponsible to be allowed to drink. Some of the stupid things I've seen whilst going out... I weep for my generation  ::)

So could I vote "No" for me, and "Yes" to the majority of others? Lolzor

[GoLions]

Some of the stupid things I've seen whilst going out... I weep for my generation  ::)

At a mates 21st last year, and one of his friends was absolutely hammered. He found out that one of the adults had agreed to give him a lift to the pub, so he grabbed a balloon (blown up, of course), and just bit into it and then ate it.

I found it quite humorous.

[Mr.Craig]

You can change a law but it's much harder to change human behaviour.

[henry]

You can change a law but it's much harder to change human behaviour.

Yeah exactly, changing the law will make so many become illegal that it becomes ridiculous to police as it won't stop people drinking. It has to stay at 18 I reckon.

[fidou]

The answer is easy give 18 - 21 year olds an IQ test and not allow people below a certain level a licence to drink because there are people in our community that should not be allowed to drink.

[Spinking]

With the benefit of hindsight I would say I was significantly more ready to make better choices at 21 than I was at 18. Would have hated it at the time, but I can see this idea has merit.

Has been some suggestion that there might be some compromise, a bit like getting P Plates for driving - might only be able to drink light beer, or maybe a restricted amount... Not sure how that would work...

[Toga]

Yeah I've heard in Germany you can buy beer & wine at 16 (gulp) but spirits and other drinks when over 18... Kind of ties in with what you say Spink. ;)

[My Chumps]

It's not the age limit that's the problem, it's the enforcement. I'm 17 and have a drink on occasion at parties and what not, and I know a bunch of people that are my age or even younger that do the same.

If you can't stop kids drinking that are under 18, how do you expect to stop people drinking between the ages of 18-21? The rule would change eff all.

[Justin Bieber]

Change it when I'm 21.

[Ringo]

Not many may remember but the drinking age was 21 in the 60's  but was lowered to 18 as a result of intense lobbying.
Do not see lowering the age back down will achieve anything.  maybe may raise the age when people start drinking as a result but only a hunch. (Maybe 10 year olds will not start)/  I think the real issue is the Licensed hours and if these were to be reduced then I believe that alcohol related violence will decrease. Just my opinion and happy to have people disagree with me.