To Lower the Drinking Age to 18 or Not?

[DougLikesBMW]

What do you all think, do you believe that the lowering the drinking age to 18 will be better for everyone or not? I'm 18 and I don't drink so either way it doesn't really effect me. I know most of the people on this board are probably 21 or over, so I was curious on what the general consensus was from you folks.

I'm not sure which I would vote for...If it would stop kids from being stupid about drinking then I would vote yes, but if it would just cause mass irresponsibility then I would say no.

In this article they give reasons as to why it's better to lower the legal age and why it's better to leave it the way it is.

Hope you're not feeling too lazy to give this a scan:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26320912/?GT1=43001

*Edit* Hmm, maybe I should've added an undecided option, lol.

[ArmyBimmerDude]

In Germany, kids drink when they're 16 or 17. No matter what you do, they'll always figure out a way to get their hands on alcohol, so I've never agreed with the age being 21. It's almost as if that age was put there so parents wouldn't have to deal with it since their children would be out of the house by then.

[DougLikesBMW]

Originally Posted by ArmyBimmerDude

In Germany, kids drink when they're 16 or 17. No matter what you do, they'll always figure out a way to get their hands on alcohol, so I've never agreed with the age being 21. It's almost as if that age was put there so parents wouldn't have to deal with it since their children would be out of the house by then.

Yeah I know, with fake IDs or with older friends that can get you the stuff there is always a way around the system, but some kids get such a kick out of drinking that they end up drinking more because it's illegal.

[ArmyBimmerDude]

Originally Posted by DougLikesBMW

Yeah I know, with fake IDs or with older friends that can get you the stuff there is always a way around the system, but some kids get such a kick out of drinking that they end up drinking more because it's illegal.

If anything they should raise the age requirement to be able to get a license.

You're right though, I remember being in my teens and it was cool to go have a party and drink. Hell everyone probably did it.

[MadDog]

Originally Posted by ArmyBimmerDude

In Germany, kids drink when they're 16 or 17. No matter what you do, they'll always figure out a way to get their hands on alcohol, so I've never agreed with the age being 21. It's almost as if that age was put there so parents wouldn't have to deal with it since their children would be out of the house by then.

I saw kids in Germany drinking when they were 13 or 14 - with their parent's permission.

[chinoxs203]

leave it the way it is.. there will be many more drunk car accidents thats for sure. kids are invincible remember.

i say you can purchase alcohol if your under 21 by showing a military ID. If they can go risk their lives they can have a god damn drink.

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by chinoxs203

leave it the way it is.. there will be many more drunk car accidents thats for sure. kids are invincible remember.

i say you can purchase alcohol if your under 21 by showing a military ID. If they can go risk their lives they can have a god damn drink.

I agree with that part...but in no way does that solve any societal problems we have as a nation. Somewhat counterproductive is what I'm trying to say.

Bottom line is...kids will always be dumb. I think the solution to this is better parenting.

[DougLikesBMW]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

[/B]

I agree with that part...but in no way does that solve any societal problems we have as a nation. Somewhat counterproductive is what I'm trying to say.

Bottom line is...kids will always be dumb. I think the solution to this is better parenting.

Yeah I agree with this. I guess that is the only real solution...But that'll never happen.

[c0nstant]

fuck no; if anything, it should be increased

[!Xoible]

lower it, that should take care of 1/3 of the population in car accidents. very smart idea.

they should raise it to 40

[Year's_End]

Make it 18. Lots of kids over drink because they think it's rebellious. It's stupid.

America is one of the few countries imposing a 21 year old drinking limit.

[san~man]

leave it as is. One can't ignore the statistics which MADD presents

[SES_D]

I'm 19 and i vote not. Imagine how many more dumbasses will be on the road taking innocent lives if they do in fact make a mistake, which is not uncommon.

Either way, kids under 21 will find ways to get alcohol, it's too easy.

[BayAreaE92]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

[/B]

I agree with that part...but in no way does that solve any societal problems we have as a nation. Somewhat counterproductive is what I'm trying to say.

Bottom line is...kids will always be dumb. I think the solution to this is better parenting.

+1

[NaTuReB0Y]

BAN

[Saigon]

Make it higher. I go to school and see idiots bumping their music in their nissan altimas, ford focus's,etc. to "show off." It would not be a good idea to lower the drinking age so that the same arrogant infant pricks would be able to get their hands on alcohol. If anything, raise it. You have to remember we are living in a "free country" and that kids over in other countries are not as fortunate as us and they probably don't do the same irresponsible things over here because kids are just so spoiled in America...

[Year's_End]

Let's face it, the majority of people over 21 will say keep it or raise it. Those under that age will say lower it.

I want it lowered to 18, like pretty much every other freakin' country.

[MrSteak]

Lower it for chicks only...




But in all fairness... I never really started drinking until I was in my 20's, so to each their own. It would be fair since 18 year olds can star in porns, smoke, and go to war, but then again, thats the backwards society we live in here. Other countries where drugs are legal, and the drinking age is lower don't seem to have the same problems as we do here b/c they're used to that sort of thing, so they don't abuse it. Personally, I'm not against it, OR for it... but the system we have now seems to be fine. (Although, if it was only lowered for girls, then a lot of bars & clubs wouldn't be such sausage fests...giggidy!)

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by MrSteak

But in all fairness... I never really started drinking until I was in my 20's, so to each their own. It would be fair since 18 year olds can star in porns, smoke, and go to war, but then again, thats the backwards society we live in here. Other countries where drugs are legal, and the drinking age is lower don't seem to have the same problems as we do here b/c they're used to that sort of thing, so they don't abuse it. Personally, I'm not against it, OR for it... but the system we have now seems to be fine. (Although, if it was only lowered for girls, then a lot of bars & clubs wouldn't be such sausage fests...giggidy!)

Thank you. Sums up my opinion perfectly.

[just4kickz]

not going to happen. hard to judge whether a decrease in legal drinking age will be beneficial or not... so many pros/cons with either option.

[c0nstant]

although im 18 and i have to admit, id love to be able to have a beer after a long day

[AwesomeM3]

What's next, lowering the driving age to 15?