I think the limitations are good. So long as
people actually follow them. Which nobody does. So they're not that good. And
conversely, because the limits are there, 'hardcore rebel teens' feel the need
to break them. But they're a decent ideal, at least. Alcohol's bad for the brain
and body, after all. Don't want 10-yr-olds getting all woozy on the way to
school or anything.
Alcohol is not always bad for the body. I was told by a teacher when I was in
highschool that drinking once in awhile ( weekends or special events ) helps
clean out the system. I don't like drinking very much but I know kids under 13
shouldn't have any alcohol what so ever. Not to mention the time and place to do
so. So the drinking age is pretty good. I would think it would have been better
at 18 cause most people can get it by then any way.
An occasional drink is good for the health. It basically makes new cells grow
and old cells die. Too much is bad, but whatever.
Quote: I don't like drinking very
much but I know kids under 13 shouldn't have any alcohol what so ever. Not to
mention the time and place to do so. So the drinking age is pretty good. I would
think it would have been better at 18 cause most people can get it by then any
way.
Ironically, it was just the reverse in ancient societies. The water was so bad
that only adults could drink it, and the kids pretty much had to drink light
wine, because the stuff was clean.
Having too much to drink is bad, but i personally think that you should drink
when you are 18 not when your 21 over here, it would solve alot of problems plus
alot of teens already drink anyway. It would solve alot of problems.
I think it depends what people are used to. If they all of a sudden decided to
get rid of a drinking age in USA, all hell would break lose. But then after a
while nobody would care anymore. People want what they can't have. So once they
have it, it's not that special anymore.
The drinking age is set with the intention of keeping those underage from
drinking irresponsibly, and protecting them from other dangers that often go
hand in hand with drinking, such as drunk driving, or getting knocked up, for
starters.
Quote by PurplefireHaving too much to
drink is bad, but i personally think that you should drink when you are 18 not
when your 21 over here, it would solve alot of problems plus alot of teens
already drink anyway. It would solve alot of
problems.
Realistically, a younger drinking age is not going to solve problems, quite
simply because teenagers are often prone to making decisions based on the fun of
the moment, not necessarily considering the consequences of their actions. If
you make similar dumb decisions after you're over the legal drinking age, then
you are considered responsible enough to deal with the consequences of your
actions. Frankly, if you're going to drink underage, then that's what you're
going to do, but that doesn't make it necessary for the drinking age to be
lowered. If for nothing else, hopefully it will keep the young'ns with fake
I.D.'s out of the clubs.
I agree with the drinking age here in the US being 21. I've been in college for
1 1/2 years now, and just watching how many younger guys are out at parties
drinking, it's sad. I mean, they know the cops are out and going to get them,
yet they still persist, even after spending a night in jail I've seen many
younger guys joke about it and grab another beer knowing full well that they'll
be caught again.
While I do agree with people that drinking a little bit does help to clear out
the system, I dont understand what drives people to go out, get uber drunk and
puke all over themselves. Then go out and do it again the next day. I've known
3 people who've been kicked out of college now because of that. On top of the
$200+ fine they have to pay each time they're caught.
I don't know.. really. I kind of drank illegaly on my 15th birthday. Had 4 and a
half wine coolers. ^^;; I was sooo freaking depressed. But I'm thinking of
waiting for the legal age.. ( if at all, ever again ) Which I think is good, set
where it is.
Gives teenagers who just moved out of the house a while to get situated, instead
of just going right out and buying all the beer, and everything. ( though some
get away with it anyway. x.x )
But when some get away with it, it really screws them over. Sometimes causing
them to get kicked out of the house they just moved in to. And also, I think 21
is a somewhat responsible age to drink. Hopefully by them most people will have
the brains to realize that drinking while your drunk.. yes. May be VERY
amsuing.. But it is also twice as dangerous.
All of these are really interesting and thank you very much for the comments. I
think the scariest thing though here in the UK is the use of drugs put into
beverages. There is one that can completely wipe out your memory for the next
eight hours...to me at least, that is a very scary thing.
I agree with most of the other people who posted... drinking ages aren't 100%
effective (I have to admite I started drinking illegally as a teenager too) but
they still act as a guide. To me, teaching moderation and safety in drinking is
more important than a strict age requirement though. Different people at the
same age have different levels of maturity and habits, etc.
As for sedative and other drugs used in alcoholic drink - yeah, that's pretty
bad. Very disturbing stuff, but I guess that can't really be stopped. I'm sure
they also work in non-alcoholic drinks as well, but the effects won't be hidden
that way...
Gambling, smoking, and drinking should all be allowed or stay the same at age
18. I don't smoke or drink at age 19 but I sure as hell want to gamble... Tried
both smoking and drinking and it wasn't my thing. Drank some sake... heiniken...
bleh. Maybe if Wine had a sweeter taste otherwise I'll stick to Coke or Cherry
Coke.
OH YEAH...Coke is good...mmm...cherry coke. Deffinetly beats all alcohols in
every way. Often however, people get drunk just for a tipsy feeling.
Personally, I have to admit that I have done the same. I have asked multiple
students at the school here in lower UK and most say that yeah, they dont like
the taste...and why they drink, to get the feeling of drunkeness. What do you
think about drinking for that reason rather than as an enjoyment?
21 vs 18 drinking age. What do you think...personally I like 18 because
everything is 18. Then again, I heard that it was tried once in the US and like
drunken driving teens shot up like crazy...so maybe i do like 21...who
knows...ummmm...ill just trust the government.
Drinking age at 21 is really only a US thing. Most other countries have drinking
age as 18 or tall enough to reach the bar. :P It doesn't matter too much what
the drinking age is, people who are going to drink will drink anyways. I'm
underage and I drink quite a bit, but that's usually only for parties or special
occasions. So far I haven't had any problems with cops. They've crashed parties
where no one is of age, but if you're in a private residence, they can't really
do anything. Genrally it's not a smart idea to get drunk and walk around in
public. Public drunkeness isn't an offense limited to underage drinkers.
I think the main problem with alcohol, that the way it's percived. Underage
drinking is such a horrible thing in the US. In other countries however, it's
not really that big of a deal to drink. I've had friends from korea and other
asian countries who've gone out and bought beer for their dad without any
hassles. Hell, they have vending machines with beer in Japan.
Sorry for the long post, I'm kinda bored at the moment. Doesn't really matter
though, cause there's no way the US will lighten up about drinking enough to
move the age down to 18. Plus with Bush in his 2nd term, now seems like a good
time to get out of the country
i think that the drinking age in America is fine (21). And when ur old enuff...
u should be able to drink socially... but i don't like to get drunk off my
ass... neither do i like other people who do...
The 21 drinking age is only good in the US and if it changed right now, yeah,
things would be bad...but they are bad anyway...not that it matters because like
fluffy neko said, if people want to drink, they can get the alcohol and they
will drink.
Yeah I agree about the exciting part. I use to criticize people who binge drink
because its a stupid thing to do. But then the inevitable happened and I
experienced the effects of drunkeness and it was far from bad. I'm not saying
drinking is good but you know, if you wanna have extra fun then why not. Once
and a while is okay. Where I live the legal age for purchasing alcohol is 18 but
you can legally drink it if you're 17...or at least I think you can. If not,
then whoops.
welll, coming from canada- i was used to going to bars with friends after work-
having a good time- but i don't drink... now living in the states, it kinda
feels a little false... because you're considered an adultat 18- yet you can't
drink... the system basically throws these laws into effect- for good reasons,
but it ends up making drinking even more "fun and rebellious" for
teens. Do you think these laws actually stop teen drinking? not at all... i like
the laws in Europe much better... which way would you rather learn to drink? 10
having a glass of wine for a special occasion with family- learning what your
limits are and how to not abuse this- or learning at a party, where you're
pressured into consuming as much beer as possible- only to realize how the hell
are you going to get home without driving? from talking to teens here compared
to home- i noticed more teens drink and drive here then my home town... i found
this appaling... but think about it: how else are they going to get home after
being intoxicated? phone daddy? nah-uh... *Sigh* i dont even like drinking,
although i have before... and i agree that the age limit should be brought
down... why? because it takes the fun out of it... lets parents teach limits
and tolerances- not your frat buddies.... makes sense to me anyways....
I was wondering what people think about drinking ages. You know how all of Europe doesnt have one...What do you think about having one or not.
I think the limitations are good.
So long as
people actually follow them. Which nobody does. So they're not that good. And
conversely, because the limits are there, 'hardcore rebel teens' feel the need
to break them. But they're a decent ideal, at least. Alcohol's bad for the brain
and body, after all. Don't want 10-yr-olds getting all woozy on the way to
school or anything.
Alcohol is not always bad for the body. I was told by a teacher when I was in highschool that drinking once in awhile ( weekends or special events ) helps clean out the system. I don't like drinking very much but I know kids under 13 shouldn't have any alcohol what so ever. Not to mention the time and place to do so. So the drinking age is pretty good. I would think it would have been better at 18 cause most people can get it by then any way.
An occasional drink is good for the health. It basically makes new cells grow and old cells die. Too much is bad, but whatever.
Ironically, it was just the reverse in ancient societies. The water was so bad that only adults could drink it, and the kids pretty much had to drink light wine, because the stuff was clean.
Having too much to drink is bad, but i personally think that you should drink when you are 18 not when your 21 over here, it would solve alot of problems plus alot of teens already drink anyway. It would solve alot of problems.
I don't really drink all that often because I don't really like the taste of alchohol.. but the legal drinking age here is 18..
I think it depends what people are used to. If they all of a sudden decided to get rid of a drinking age in USA, all hell would break lose. But then after a while nobody would care anymore. People want what they can't have. So once they have it, it's not that special anymore.
That reminds me of an interesting quote.
"The desire of an object is inversely proportional to the likelihood it can be obtained."
I know I messed up a little, but that was the general meaning of the thing.
The drinking age is set with the intention of keeping those underage from drinking irresponsibly, and protecting them from other dangers that often go hand in hand with drinking, such as drunk driving, or getting knocked up, for starters.
Realistically, a younger drinking age is not going to solve problems, quite simply because teenagers are often prone to making decisions based on the fun of the moment, not necessarily considering the consequences of their actions. If you make similar dumb decisions after you're over the legal drinking age, then you are considered responsible enough to deal with the consequences of your actions. Frankly, if you're going to drink underage, then that's what you're going to do, but that doesn't make it necessary for the drinking age to be lowered. If for nothing else, hopefully it will keep the young'ns with fake I.D.'s out of the clubs.
I agree with the drinking age here in the US being 21. I've been in college for 1 1/2 years now, and just watching how many younger guys are out at parties drinking, it's sad. I mean, they know the cops are out and going to get them, yet they still persist, even after spending a night in jail I've seen many younger guys joke about it and grab another beer knowing full well that they'll be caught again.
While I do agree with people that drinking a little bit does help to clear out the system, I dont understand what drives people to go out, get uber drunk and puke all over themselves. Then go out and do it again the next day. I've known 3 people who've been kicked out of college now because of that. On top of the $200+ fine they have to pay each time they're caught.
I don't know.. really. I kind of drank illegaly on my 15th birthday. Had 4 and a half wine coolers. ^^;; I was sooo freaking depressed. But I'm thinking of waiting for the legal age.. ( if at all, ever again ) Which I think is good, set where it is.
Gives teenagers who just moved out of the house a while to get situated, instead of just going right out and buying all the beer, and everything. ( though some get away with it anyway. x.x )
But when some get away with it, it really screws them over. Sometimes causing them to get kicked out of the house they just moved in to. And also, I think 21 is a somewhat responsible age to drink. Hopefully by them most people will have the brains to realize that drinking while your drunk.. yes. May be VERY amsuing.. But it is also twice as dangerous.
Those are my thoughts though. x.x;
All of these are really interesting and thank you very much for the comments. I think the scariest thing though here in the UK is the use of drugs put into beverages. There is one that can completely wipe out your memory for the next eight hours...to me at least, that is a very scary thing.
I agree with most of the other people who posted... drinking ages aren't 100% effective (I have to admite I started drinking illegally as a teenager too) but they still act as a guide. To me, teaching moderation and safety in drinking is more important than a strict age requirement though. Different people at the same age have different levels of maturity and habits, etc.
As for sedative and other drugs used in alcoholic drink - yeah, that's pretty bad. Very disturbing stuff, but I guess that can't really be stopped. I'm sure they also work in non-alcoholic drinks as well, but the effects won't be hidden that way...
Gambling, smoking, and drinking should all be allowed or stay the same at age 18. I don't smoke or drink at age 19 but I sure as hell want to gamble... Tried both smoking and drinking and it wasn't my thing. Drank some sake... heiniken... bleh. Maybe if Wine had a sweeter taste otherwise I'll stick to Coke or Cherry Coke.
OH YEAH...Coke is good...mmm...cherry coke. Deffinetly beats all alcohols in every way. Often however, people get drunk just for a tipsy feeling. Personally, I have to admit that I have done the same. I have asked multiple students at the school here in lower UK and most say that yeah, they dont like the taste...and why they drink, to get the feeling of drunkeness. What do you think about drinking for that reason rather than as an enjoyment?
I think that drinking age is good otherwise any kid will have an excuse whenever they want to drink (thinking about if you become parents one day).
21 vs 18 drinking age. What do you think...personally I like 18 because everything is 18. Then again, I heard that it was tried once in the US and like drunken driving teens shot up like crazy...so maybe i do like 21...who knows...ummmm...ill just trust the government.
Drinking age at 21 is really only a US thing. Most other countries have drinking age as 18 or tall enough to reach the bar. :P It doesn't matter too much what the drinking age is, people who are going to drink will drink anyways. I'm underage and I drink quite a bit, but that's usually only for parties or special occasions. So far I haven't had any problems with cops. They've crashed parties where no one is of age, but if you're in a private residence, they can't really do anything. Genrally it's not a smart idea to get drunk and walk around in public. Public drunkeness isn't an offense limited to underage drinkers.
I think the main problem with alcohol, that the way it's percived. Underage drinking is such a horrible thing in the US. In other countries however, it's not really that big of a deal to drink. I've had friends from korea and other asian countries who've gone out and bought beer for their dad without any hassles. Hell, they have vending machines with beer in Japan.
Sorry for the long post, I'm kinda bored at the moment. Doesn't really matter though, cause there's no way the US will lighten up about drinking enough to move the age down to 18. Plus with Bush in his 2nd term, now seems like a good time to get out of the country
i think that the drinking age in America is fine (21). And when ur old enuff... u should be able to drink socially... but i don't like to get drunk off my ass... neither do i like other people who do...
The 21 drinking age is only good in the US and if it changed right now, yeah, things would be bad...but they are bad anyway...not that it matters because like fluffy neko said, if people want to drink, they can get the alcohol and they will drink.
Drinking is harmful to body.But it's really exciting espscially when you are drunk.
The feel likes flying up and down.
I'm keen on it~~~
Yeah I agree about the exciting part. I use to criticize people who binge drink because its a stupid thing to do. But then the inevitable happened and I experienced the effects of drunkeness and it was far from bad. I'm not saying drinking is good but you know, if you wanna have extra fun then why not. Once and a while is okay. Where I live the legal age for purchasing alcohol is 18 but you can legally drink it if you're 17...or at least I think you can. If not, then whoops.
welll, coming from canada- i was used to going to bars with friends after work- having a good time- but i don't drink... now living in the states, it kinda feels a little false... because you're considered an adultat 18- yet you can't drink... the system basically throws these laws into effect- for good reasons, but it ends up making drinking even more "fun and rebellious" for teens. Do you think these laws actually stop teen drinking? not at all... i like the laws in Europe much better... which way would you rather learn to drink? 10 having a glass of wine for a special occasion with family- learning what your limits are and how to not abuse this- or learning at a party, where you're pressured into consuming as much beer as possible- only to realize how the hell are you going to get home without driving? from talking to teens here compared to home- i noticed more teens drink and drive here then my home town... i found this appaling... but think about it: how else are they going to get home after being intoxicated? phone daddy? nah-uh... *Sigh* i dont even like drinking, although i have before... and i agree that the age limit should be brought down... why? because it takes the fun out of it... lets parents teach limits and tolerances- not your frat buddies.... makes sense to me anyways....
When I say it tastes bad, I mean it's almost enough to make me hurl. Took a sip of Sake and damn... I was chugging my Coke 'till it was all gone.