Underage Drinking

Alucard · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:05 pm Underage Drinking**

Hey everyone... I wanted to know everyones opinion on it.
I personally think that it should be legal, because I do it occasionally.

Hitchhiker · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:12 pm**

If it were "legal," wouldn't it no longer be "underage"? What would be the point of having an age limit?

I think that the age limit concept is sensible, just like a voting age or driving age is sensible, due to a number of factors. Firstly, the younger you are, the more alcohol can affect you. Secondly, I don't think it's a good idea to arm rebellious adolescents with a new method of nearly killing themselves. The age limit (in most places, here it is 19 in Ontario) has been determined so that most people have reached a reasonable level of pyschological maturity before they can purchase the stuff.

Republican_Man · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:22 pm**

Agreed. I can't vote, because the poll question doesn't make sense. I think that an 18 year old should be allowed to drink, however--the age lowered to 21--because they can:
-get married without parental permission
-decide on who to vote for in an election
-are considered adults
-can drive
-can decide to serve in the armed forces (which could result in death)

Leo Wyatt · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:35 pm**

I don't think people under 21 should be allowed to drink. It is just too young, they not fully an adult yet in my opinion.

Republican_Man · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:44 pm**

Theresa · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:45 pm**

Yeah, I think lowering it is totally reasonable. If you are old enough to die at 18, you should be able to buy a beer, too.

Seven of Nine · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:54 pm**

No, I don't think so. Why would anyone under 5 want to drink?

IntrepidIsMe · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:56 pm**

Well, even though you're considered an adult at 18, your parents are still considered legally responsible for you until you're 21. Or at least thats how it is here in New York. Another reason the drinking age is 21 is because thats the age at which for most people, their brain has stopped developing.

I personally think that it should be 18, as well. If you're old enough to have sex and drive, I think you should be old enough to drink, too. I have a beer once in a while, or a glass of wine. I'm mature enough to enjoy it without needing to get intoxicated, but most people my age aren't.

So all in all, I can see where they're coming from with the 21 law.

lionhead · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:01 pm**

I could imagine having every child on with a beer, drunk. Crime would double.

Thats like one of the worst ideas i've heard in my life. Obviously you don't know the consiquences to that.

Do yuo even know what alcohol does too some people?

Do you know how many traffic accidents are the result of drunken driving?

do you even know how many lifes it destroys every day?

IntrepidIsMe · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:03 pm**

Well, I don't think anybody here is supporting children having alcohol...

Captain Patrick · Commodore Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 2421

I think you should be able to drink at 18

Sam Kenobi · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:36 pm**

I think that the drinking limit should still be 21. Few reasons... I drink a little, no problem, but it's legal if it's in a private residence, so I guess that's ok. And... I didn't know what I wanted out of life at 18, I still don't, maybe I'll be a little further along when I'm 21 so I can decide how to treat my alcohol responsibly and still have fun with it. Also, Kids at 18 and younger... who are running around piss drunk because "it's cool" are just annoying.

Josi Rockholt · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:55 pm**

I think drinking should be legal at 18. Just like RM and T said, if you can be treated as an adult,you should be able to buy a drink now and then. To be 18 and considered a legal adult and not be able to drink doesn't seem to make sense. At 18,there should be a limit on how much can be bought though because some people don't know thier limits while others do.

Hitchhiker · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:06 pm**

All you poor people who have to wait until you're 21

But yes, 18 is even better than 19. I agree that if your government believes you responsible enough to conduct your own financial transactions, drive, get married, and vote, then you should also be allowed to drink.

Mind you, I wouldn't mind having the voting age lowered to 16. It's not as if anyone votes anyway.

Superman · Fleet Admiral Joined: 06 Dec 2003 Posts: 10220

Different people mature at different ages. Here in England, the legal drinking age is 18. I see no problem with that. Why? Well, I'm going to echo comments said here. At 18, you're paying taxes (if you're working) and you're old enough to die for your country whilst serving with the Armed Forces. So you should be allowed to drink.

It would be most unfair, in my opinion, if you were paying taxes and/or serving in the Armed Forces at 18, yet couldn't legally drink until the age of 21.

As for other countries, I can't say what is best. Different people have different drinking habits. Whenever I've been on holiday within Europe, they seem a little more careful with their drink whereas in my home town, people seem to drink and drink and drink until they fall.

John Connor · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:12 pm**

There is No way for younger age kids to start drink cause its wrong and they will think they can do anything they want. So, my answer is no.

harrykims#1fan · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:36 pm**

i've been drinkin since i was 16 i see no harm in it to be honest and now its legal for me its kinda lost it's novelty (although at the con i was drunk 2 out of 4 nites)
cos if you can get a job a 16 your gonna wanna go out for a drink after

Arellia · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:41 pm**

I don't see a problem with lowering the age to 18, either. If you're an "adult," you can make that choice. And, anyway, most people, by the time they're 18, can and will get alcohol if they really want it. There are various ways to achieve this goal.

*shrugs* Personally, I dislike alcohol in its entirety and wouldn't mind if all production of it suddenly came to a halt, but the murders that would result would be a little more than it's worth. Just a tad.

Jeff Miller · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:47 pm**

I think if it's in the persons house it should be ok. Everyone should enjoy a nice brew if they see fit.

Theresa · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:51 pm**

It's already legal for minors to drink in their own homes, with parental supervision.

Over 1/3rd of all alcohol related deaths are underage drinkers.

Lord Borg · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:53 pm**

I would say no lower than 18. I think its stupid, at 20 years old (My age) I can sign up for the armed forces, go to Iraq, or some other place, and die, yet I cant have a beer with friends.

Alucard · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:01 pm**

Lord Borg · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:39 pm**

Becuase only the dishonets, "Im better than anyone alive" teenagers will Illegaly drink and cuase accidents. Lowering to 14, is only asking for more trouble

Hitchhiker · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:55 pm**

Cathexis · **Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:43 pm**

Well, in France...the age is 16 to drink, if I remember correctly. Because it is not outlawed, these kids have been "spoiled" by an American p.o.v....most kids do drugs and drink simply because they aren't allowed to. IF we made it legal, it is most likely that one of two things will happen:

1. Kids will get so used to it being legal that they just drink/smoke casually because there isn't a "rush" or feeling of rebellion that once made them think it was soooo cool...

2. The above option will totally backfire, creating a generation of mass chaos and havoc.