Drinking Age

[Alister]

Ah, the legal drinking age.

Where I live, you have to be 18 to drink. I'm not sure of what the age is elsewhere, however I can't say I completely agree with that restriction. I believe the main reasoning is because an 18 year old is supposedly more 'responsible' than say, a 16 year old. Although that may sometimes be the case, I can't agree with it. Theres just as good a chance of some yahoo being a drunk jackass at 30 years old as at 18 years old the way I see it.

Of course, I know TONS of people my age who I would not see fit to drink. But then again, I also know a handful whom I would glady hand a beer. I know people 5 years older than me that I don't think should drink, and I know people that I think should be able to drink.

What do you guys think of the current restriction system? In an ideal world, what would you like the legal drinking age to be, and how would you want it to be enforced? Would you want parents to be the ones to give consent for their child to drink?

[wancs1]

how bout banned liqour? of of course history teach us when the US tried banning it in the 30's or during that time. people revolt and smuggle them. 18 is fine with me, its all about will power.

me , i never drink b4 and hope to never will, ive few friends who drank and drunk and i dont like what theyve become. so its just an opinion. drink a little fine. whatever legal system out there says about legal age, kids will always be kids and try to drink.

its like sex, although there's now HIV and other transmitted disease most of teenagers still do it without protection and if there's protection how sure r u not getting AIDS without checking ur spouses medical (sorry a bit off topic but the booze and sex are related)

[LOLercaust]

There is nothing wrong at all with drinking. I drink all the time. though i think that the legal age here 19, is fine. and that its there for a reason.

[gakekuroi]

The legal age is 19 here and in some provinces its 18,one of the reason they do that is younger teens are more exceptable to be coming alcoholics if they start young and drink all the time then if someone one around the recomended legal age of the state,country or province recommends.

I myself probably been drinkin sice i was about 14, but like once a month kinda thing, over time i began drinkin more often as i got older but i never did binge drink(thats where you drink yourself so drunk you either pass out or verge of puking basically typical teen thing) I still know ppl that still do that and im almost 20 (to prove alisters point)so really it just come down to the person and how they act when drinking

[Kimeru]

I would say minors shouldn't be drinking, but I would turn myself into a hypocrite. ;D

[bakafish007]

in my opinoin, drinking is wrong, plain and simple. there was a greek saying, "the first is merriment. the second is disagreements. the third is a shouting match. the fourth is a black eye, and the fifth is a police summons." it's easy to be addicted to it, making it nothing more than a drug, like crack. in the middle east, most countries have banned alcohol.

[Alucard]

here it's 19. I know plenty of people who shouldn't even be allowed to leave their house but on the other side I know people that honestly know how to control themselves.

Guess I really don't care on the age all that much. Shit happens.

[LOLercaust]

in my opinoin, drinking is wrong, plain and simple. there was a greek saying, "the first is merriment. the second is disagreements. the third is a shouting match. the fourth is a black eye, and the fifth is a police summons." it's easy to be addicted to it, making it nothing more than a drug, like crack. in the middle east, most countries have banned alcohol.


people can become addicted to anything. Gambling, sex, videogames. should they be banned too?

its true that alcohol in large quanitys isn't always good. But its been proven that a beer a day is actually good for you. just like red wine can help prevent a heart attack.

[SoC Kemaro]

It's 21 here. Doesn't bother me, I think they just did that so you can be accounted as an adult when you buy liquor. I guess it's not 18 so they can say it's for the 'safety' of people, which doesn't do much in my opinion.

I don't care much for alcohol. I haven't gotten drunk, but it's fun to have a little bit cuz it's a drink. Just the fact that you can't have it at my age makes it a bit exciting, as long as you know where to draw the line. I dont' like the people that get blasted drunk and can't stand up though. It's disgraceful in my opinion.

[Turaizuru-san]

This is just another example of society's unwillingness to accept responsibilty. To remove something simply because some idiots can't control themselves is reminiscent [to me] of an orwell or huxley novel. Why not just remove everything that doesn't directly show productivity?

Yes, I have consumed an alcoholic beverage. And yes, I have done some stupid things while inebriated, but these mistakes have only hurt me. I didn't get plastered and beat someone up or get behind the wheel. I didn't get drunk and have sex with some random woman, risking pregnancy and disease. Why, then, should I be punished for someone elses lack of responsibility?

No, alcohol is not a necessity in my life, nor should it be in anyone else's; however, the choice should still be mine to make as to whether or not I will consume it.

[Darksage]

I think drinking should be outlawed altogether =O

[gakekuroi]

-----
This is just another example of society's unwillingness to accept responsibilty. To remove something simply because some idiots can't control themselves is reminiscent [to me] of an orwell or huxley novel. Why not just remove everything that doesn't directly show productivity?

Yes, I have consumed an alcoholic beverage. And yes, I have done some stupid things while inebriated, but these mistakes have only hurt me. I didn't get plastered and beat someone up or get behind the wheel. I didn't get drunk and have sex with some random woman, risking pregnancy and disease. Why, then, should I be punished for someone elses lack of responsibility?

No, alcohol is not a necessity in my life, nor should it be in anyone else's; however, the choice should still be mine to make as to whether or not I will consume it.

Amen!!

Another point for the people that say the government should ban drinking , you all needs your head examined in my opinion anyway , governments make a good portion of there income from the taxes of sold alcohol .Not to mention,which i think lots of people are forgetting it was tried not really all that long ago and it just lead to making crime boss extremely rich and powerful.People will just find another way to get it ,its simple.

[Al3x]

Over here in sunny ole England it's 18. You are allowed it in pubs when you are 16 and can have it with your meal at 14. You can only buy it when your 18.

In Spain its good, you can be 15 and buy it, :P

[Darksage]

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Amen!!

Another point for the people that say the government should ban drinking , you all needs your head examined in my opinion anyway , governments make a good portion of there income from the taxes of sold alcohol .Not to mention,which i think lots of people are forgetting it was tried not really all that long ago and it just lead to making crime boss extremely rich and powerful.People will just find another way to get it ,its simple.
I was obviously being sarcastic...to some extent

[gakekuroi]

My Apoligizes then

[zabuza0]

I think drinking should be outlawed altogether =O

couldnt have said it better my brother.

[DarkMagicianGrl]

Drinking isnt really that big of a deal. Just like every thing so long as its in moderation.

In NY its 21.

5 minutes away is the Canadian border where its 19.

I think that if youre old enough to sign your life away (aka join the army) you should be able to drink.

Call me whatever you want.

Just so long as people use common sense.

[gakekuroi]

its 18/19 in canada :) depends on the province