What do you think of the US' drinking age?

[slayer202]

I think those items are related, actually. They restrict alcohol in part BECAUSE we have a younger driving age and they're trying to force additional safety.

What you may not get is how essential cars are in the US. In the EU, you have far more viable options for public transit. You can get to school, to work, to entertainment without necessarily needing a personal vehicle. The US is simply too large to have build the infrastructure already for truly effective mass transit.

this is the reason. young people are already poor drivers, we don't need them drinking and driving as well...i'm glad the majority of ATOT can't figure that out though

 

[HAL9000]

I think those items are related, actually. They restrict alcohol in part BECAUSE we have a younger driving age and they're trying to force additional safety.

What you may not get is how essential cars are in the US. In the EU, you have far more viable options for public transit. You can get to school, to work, to entertainment without necessarily needing a personal vehicle. The US is simply too large to have build the infrastructure already for truly effective mass transit.

That's a good point, when I was in the US, aside from large cities and particularly Salt Lake City the public transit was poor.

 

[torpid]

this is the reason. young people are already poor drivers, we don't need them drinking and driving as well...i'm glad the majority of ATOT can't figure that out though

I would like to see actuarial data behind this. I doubt that people are significantly better drivers at 21 than they were at 18, but I could be wrong.

Still doesn't explain why are are considered old enough to drive a potentially lethal weapon at 75+ mph but not old enough to make a basic decision at the voting booth.

 

[Linflas]

this is the reason. young people are already poor drivers, we don't need them drinking and driving as well...i'm glad the majority of ATOT can't figure that out though

Kind of like the people that support this restriction can't seem to figure out that the drinking takes place regardless of the age limit. About all you accomplish is to place alcohol consumption on a pedestal while encouraging more binge drinking rather than responsible consumption.

 

[TallBill]

Vodka + Coke is a disgusting drink at any age.

 

[vi edit]

I'm indifferent. I can see valid points both for and against it. I think overall I'd be fine with a 19 year old limit.

I have no desire to see an 18 drinking age. Sorry but kids are just too freaking dumb at this point and you have 18 year olds in highschool. Just not a good combo at this point.

If we were willing to live with the chaos that would ensue, I'd probably even be okay with some sort of phased in "no age limit" that dropped a year in age every 5 years for the next 40 years until we got to the age of 14 or so.

It's just not something I'd support with a complete repeal available to all ages immediately. It'd be a gradual adoption through multiple generation.

 

[KMFJD]

I think those items are related, actually. They restrict alcohol in part BECAUSE we have a younger driving age and they're trying to force additional safety.

What you may not get is how essential cars are in the US. In the EU, you have far more viable options for public transit. You can get to school, to work, to entertainment without necessarily needing a personal vehicle. The US is simply too large to have build the infrastructure already for truly effective mass transit.

This is very true.....in most of the Netherlands i would not need a car....go to the pub? get on your bike and pedal...nearest pub from my place here is over 15km's and there's no way in hell i'm getting on the road at night with a bike, in Holland you have separate bike paths...

 

[Linflas]

This is very true.....in most of the Netherlands i would not need a car....go to the pub? get on your bike and pedal...nearest pub from my place here is over 15km's and there's no way in hell i'm getting on the road at night with a bike, in Holland you have separate bike paths...

The beauty of the our Carrie Nation approach to alcohol in the US is that they can give you a DUI if you are riding a bike and are over the .08 limit.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I just found out that in America you can't drink (even in private!) under the age of 21, I though you could if it was a pub or something, but even at home?! Anyway my question is, how do you guys feel about that. If your 18 you can join the army, drive a car, own a gun, get married, but you can't drink a Vodka and Coke?

Yuk, who drinks vodka and coke...

 

[HAL9000]

Yuk, who drinks vodka and coke...

I don't drink Vodka and Coke?!

 

[MetalMat]

I think its bullshit, lower it back down to 18.

 

[bfdd]

I think the drinking age being 21 is fucking retarded and made even more so by the fact our driving age is 15/16 for the most part. It also gets more retarded that we consider 18 year olds adults, but not adult enough to drink? Adult enough to own a gun, drive a car, vote, buy tobacco, legally consent to sex(in all 50 states). Also gets more retarded when you figure in the fact that they have tried MINORS as adults. These same minors who were not adult enough to drive, own a gun, vote, buy tobacco or buy alcohol are now viewed as adults in the court and sentenced as such.

We as a society need to figure out what the fuck we define as an adult and stop fucking with it.

 

[frostedflakes]

I think the drinking age being 21 is fucking retarded and made even more so by the fact our driving age is 15/16 for the most part. It also gets more retarded that we consider 18 year olds adults, but not adult enough to drink? Adult enough to own a gun, drive a car, vote, buy tobacco, legally consent to sex(in all 50 states). Also gets more retarded when you figure in the fact that they have tried MINORS as adults. These same minors who were not adult enough to drive, own a gun, vote, buy tobacco or buy alcohol are now viewed as adults in the court and sentenced as such.

We as a society need to figure out what the fuck we define as an adult and stop fucking with it.

Reminds me of that Dave Chappelle standup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ZxdSXTLx8

 

[HAL9000]

Is there anyone here who actually waited until they were 21 until they drank alcohol?

 

[HybridSquirrel]

you can drink in your private residence with the permission of your parents(under 18). or in any private residence provided you have the permission of the residence's owner(over 18). private businesses probably fall under that rule. I found this out after going to court with my gf for her "minor in possession charge" (shes 20). The da dropped the charges because she had a written permission form from my friend whose house we were at. This only applies to privately owned homes, not apartments.


Anyway, I think it should be abolished all together. I don't know of anyone who waits till they are 21 to have their first drink, and after the initial shock of 16yr olds drinking themselves to death, they smart ones will figure it out.


Blame Regan.


There is a loophole, you can always claim it was a "religious ceremony" because the law says they won't infringe on those. But good luck proving that.

 

[Ronstang]

Is there anyone here who actually waited until they were 21 until they drank alcohol?

I waited until I was 18, and the drinking age was 18 at the time. All my friends were drinking at 14-15. I got drunk for the first time two days after my birthday at my best friends birthday party.

 

[HAL9000]

I waited until I was 18, and the drinking age was 18 at the time. All my friends were drinking at 14-15. I got drunk for the first time two days after my birthday at my best friends birthday party.

That's cool, I did the same, I had this thing when I was 18 where I decided to do one thing every night for 7 nights after I was 18 that I couldn't legally do before, and day 5 or something was get drunk

 

[zinfamous]

JESUS, I can't even begin to imagine how dull uni would have been when I went first without a cold pint at the end of the day. (and a fewww more at the weekend)

you seem to think that no one drinks when they are told not to.

you must wonder why Pot still exists all over the damn world when it is still technically illegal everywhere. (yes, even in Holland, folks)

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'm over 21 so I honestly don't give a shit that the drinking age is 21.

 

[HAL9000]

you seem to think that no one drinks when they are told not to.

you must wonder why Pot still exists all over the damn world when it is still technically illegal everywhere. (yes, even in Holland, folks)

No I just assumed that living on campus might make breaking the law more difficult that it was worth.

 

[Fayd]

I just found out that in America you can't drink (even in private!) under the age of 21, I though you could if it was a pub or something, but even at home?! Anyway my question is, how do you guys feel about that. If your 18 you can join the army, drive a car, own a gun, get married, but you can't drink a Vodka and Coke?

can't own a handgun at 18 within certain states, and if you're in military you can drink on base at 18.

 

[HAL9000]

can't own a handgun at 18 within certain states, and if you're in military you can drink on base at 18.

OH! Well thats something I guess, give the military a little bonus.

 

[fatpat268]

Is there anyone here who actually waited until they were 21 until they drank alcohol?

I actually waited until I was 22 (23 now).

No real reason why I stayed away from the stuff, but I now I drink a few beers every other night.

 

[zinfamous]

No I just assumed that living on campus might make breaking the law more difficult that it was worth.

on the campus where I currently work (UC Berk), there is a pub, (or maybe two+)

not so where I went to school, though. I know U Chicago also has a pub.

 

[KMFJD]

can't own a handgun at 18 within certain states, and if you're in military you can drink on base at 18.

incorrect about drinking on base i believe

'The minimum drinking age on a DoD installation located in a State (including the District of Columbia) shall be consistent with the age established by the law of that State as the State minimum drinking age. Minimum drinking age means the minimum age established for persons who may purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.'