Should we lower the drinking age?

**Iron Man** · 11-29-06, 12:56 AM

Originally Posted by Rhino

Nope. If you're stupid enough to underage drink, then you deserve to be "hassled"- by the police if not your parents or peers.

Many studies have shown that in many young adults, the brain is still developing as far as your mid-20s.

I think young adults, before they are old enough to drink, understand the importance of moderation. The 18-21 year gap will give the chance to see their older friends drink and see what happens when you do drink too much.

I've seen too many kids die of alcohol poisoning to change my position on this particular issue.

Originally Posted by Rhino

What right does the government have to tell us what we can or cannot put in our bodies.

So... the government has a right to say what minors put in their bodies more then adults.

Again, that's a parenting issue. If they die from alcohol poisoning then how is the drinking law PREVENTING that?

**Doc_Holliday** · 11-29-06, 01:00 AM

I disagree Iron Man....using your logic, everything could return to a parenting issue...including the drug issue going on in another thread...the thing I come back to is there is nothing good that could come from lowering the age...the next Einstein or the cure for cancer is not gonna be found because some 15 year old could get drunk with his pals....so if it is not going to add anything, why risk the potential dangers?

And FYI Ian....I didnt have a drink till I was 21....

**Iron Man** · 11-29-06, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by trooper_hopeful_51

disagree Iron Man....using your logic, everything could return to a parenting issue...including the drug issue going on in another thread...

MANY things can become a parenting issue. You have no idea how many times we are called out to baby someones kids. Parents need to step up to the plate! As far as the drug issue...you you catch your 15 year old with a joint do you take care of it as a parent or call the police? MOST people take care of it as a parent

Originally Posted by trooper_hopeful_51

the thing I come back to is there is nothing good that could come from lowering the age...the next Einstein or the cure for cancer is not gonna be found because some 15 year old could get drunk with his pals....so if it is not going to add anything, why risk the potential dangers?

Nothing good will come of it you are correct, but what are the potential dangers? More kids getting drunk on booze they could have got anyway? More kids driving drunk on the booze they could get anyway?

What potential danger is posed to society that merits the law? You don't have laws on the basis you will produce another Einstein
or find a cure for cancer. You pass laws to protect society as a whole and the rights of an individual.

What harm would come to society if we repealed the law? THAT's what you should be asking. Not thinking "so if it is not going to add anything".

**kay88** · 11-29-06, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by Rhino

Many studies have shown that in many young adults, the brain is still developing as far as your mid-20s.

You are correct in saying that. The studies that have been recorded in my psychology books and my exceptional children book say AVERAGE age for the frontal lobe (which ironically controls language, judgement, motor ability, memory, etc) being fully developed is 25. So should the drinking age be made to 25 instead? Since that's when the average age for the frontal lobe being developed?

Originally Posted by Rhino

I think young adults, before they are old enough to drink, understand the importance of moderation. The 18-21 year gap will give the chance to see their older friends drink and see what happens when you do drink too much.

But does that really make a difference? Most people when they turn 21 go out and get drunk, regardless of the fact that they might know what it looks like (either firsthand or from their older friends)....

**Doc_Holliday** · 11-29-06, 01:48 AM

Iron Man:

You can look at it that way, but I don't see it as a zero sum game. If the law had never been on the books, and we were discussing it then...maybe I would be more inclined to your side of thinking...but there is precedent, we keep minors from many harmful things in society, and I can think of no good reason to change it...

**Iron Man** · 11-29-06, 02:08 AM

Becuase the law does nothing, that's not good enough reason to repeal it. I don't understand that logic.

**TheOldRhino** · 11-29-06, 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by Iron Man

So... the government has a right to say what minors put in their bodies more then adults.

Yes.

Originally Posted by Iron Man

Again, that's a parenting issue. If they die from alcohol poisoning then how is the drinking law PREVENTING that?

And what if the child has no parents, and is a ward of the state?

**Iron Man** · 11-29-06, 02:12 AM

Originally Posted by Rhino

And what if the child has no parents, and is a ward of the state?

Then that's up to whoever has custody of them.

**Iron Man** · 11-29-06, 02:13 AM

Originally Posted by Rhino

Yes.

So what you want, is all drugs to be legal, with no concequences of their use legally, yet you don't want anyone under 21 having a beer?

**Doc_Holliday** · 11-29-06, 02:18 AM

Iron man...the law DOES do something, it prevents some from drinking, myself included. I am sure I am not the only person in history to have a law be a deterrent. No law is 100% effective, but I don't think you can repeal the law on that basis, or we would have no laws at all. I didn't drink till after my 21st birthday, because I was deathly afraid of getting busted. Again, I cant believe I am the only kid to have looked at it that way.

**Iron Man** · 11-29-06, 02:43 AM

Originally Posted by trooper_hopeful_51

Iron man...the law DOES do something, it prevents some from drinking, myself included. I am sure I am not the only person in history to have a law be a deterrent. No law is 100% effective, but I don't think you can repeal the law on that basis, or we would have no laws at all. I didn't drink till after my 21st birthday, because I was deathly afraid of getting busted. Again, I cant believe I am the only kid to have looked at it that way.

No its not, but if you drank a beer at 18 would the earth stood still? Would you have Killied puppies with every sip?

It does NOTHING to protect society. And by drinking you are not violating anyones rights.

No harm no foul.

**Coloradocop** · 11-29-06, 04:15 AM

I definately can see the logic in lowering the drinking age to 18. I too agree with the idea that if you can fight for your country you should be able to throw back a few beers.

**CT209** · 11-29-06, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by Coloradocop

I definately can see the logic in lowering the drinking age to 18. I too agree with the idea that if you can fight for your country you should be able to throw back a few beers.

I, too, can see the logic.

We let 18yos vote, but they aren't mature enough to drink?!? I don't think immature people should be voting for the President. Maybe we should raise the voting age.

They are adult enough to join the military, but they can't drink?!? That's a slap in the face to the men and women in the military. "You can die for me, but by the way, I don't want you drinking- that's way too adult a thing for you to do."

I grew up when the drinking age was 18. Funny thing, I didn't die or have a car wreck. None of my peers died from drinking and driving either. Maybe, we were more mature back then and today's society doesn't teach 18yos as well?

**TheOldRhino** · 11-29-06, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by Iron Man

So what you want, is all drugs to be legal, with no concequences of their use legally, yet you don't want anyone under 21 having a beer?

You know, I'm a patient man. I like to have a rational debate. But when I do, I would like the other person to listen to what I say rather than wait for their turn to talk.

I want you to show me- in any of my posts- where I said drugs should be used carte blanch with no age restriction.

**Growler** · 11-29-06, 07:56 AM

I agree with letting 18 year olds drink. Sometimes with age does not comes responsibility. Especially when you keep getting the older adults on their second and third DWI's.

**Pedro56** · 11-29-06, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by Growler

I agree with letting 18 year olds drink. Sometimes with age does not comes responsibility. Especially when you keep getting the older adults on their second and third DWI's.

I agree, hell, in my neighborhood we all picked up our first beers at the age of 13-14. I have never had a DUI, never crashed a car, have been drinking since I was in the Marines, heavily at times. I also believe in the fact if you are old enough to join the Military, to vote etc. then you are old enough to drink. It boils down to this, responsibility, and the parents willingness to teach it and enforce it. Yes people die from DUI's I believe that, and that is when someone should get hammered. Like Growler said I have stopped people that have had 3,4,5 DUI's it doesn't stop them from doing it does it?

**MonsterMash** · 11-29-06, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by CT209

Maybe, we were more mature back then and today's society doesn't teach 18yos as well?

I agree with that wholeheartedly.

**Beans** · 11-29-06, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by FTL_Ian

Now here's a consensual "crime" that I bet a LOT of you committed as a young person. Underage drinking. Should we lower the drinking age and save a lot of young people a major hassle?

I am sorry to see that you are still here, but I will answer your question. WHen I was stationed at Fort Huachuca, AZ the drinking age was 18 on post. It was great because I was 19 at the time. I see no problem with military personnel on an Army base drinking at 18, because in the Army age does not matter. You mature REAL fast!
I do not think the drinking age for the general public should be lowered. As an LEO I see that most kids could not handle it.

**keith720** · 11-29-06, 11:01 AM

I'm startin' to agree with Ian! If they are weaned and old enough to drink from a sippy cup, give 'em a beer! If they want a joint or a little crack when they're 12, who are we as a society to stop them? GIVE ME A FRICKEN BREAK! Society has a responsibility to safeguard it's citizens. Without laws, man has shown themselves to be irresponsible. Look to places where the government has lost control, such as Dufar to see where man's choices have led them. I'm sure no one gives a crap if you smoke a joint or drink there.

**BigDawg** · 11-29-06, 11:21 AM

Same with here in Haiti. They really dont care about drugs, or drinking, or smoking ciggs. A child any aga can do it. They dont have welfare or very good health care here either. Everyone is allowed to have a weapon if they want it. Its just what Ian and people like him want.

BUT, the gangs basically rule the streets, they kill and kidnapp at will here. We can do almost nothing to stop them. Crime is rampant, people are living in the streets and die from starvation and a lack of health care, I see it every day. Prostitution is everywhere because its the only way some of them can feed their families. 78% of the people make $2 or less a day. This is the type of life that will eventually happen if we allow Ian to have his way and his freedoms.