Underage Drinking

[balamw]

Europeans generally seem to have a pretty relaxed approach to alcohol as a normal part of everyday living, here we have a long history of alcohol as a means to get drunk above all else.

You're exactly right. It's the drinking to extreme excess, particularly while young and inexperienced, that is most dangerous.

I came of age in Europe and was able to drink legally from 14 (only beer/wine with food, 16 no food). I didn't really touch the stuff except for diluted wine on special occasions until 16 when I started to bar hop with friends on the weekend. Always drank plently, but not to the point of having to drive the porcelain bus on the way home. Maybe the walking from bar to bar helped plus we also usually wanted to stay sober enough to play darts or pool.

It was massive culture shock when I came back to college in the US, could no longer drink legally until my senior year, and was surrounded by people who seemed to enjoy drinking to the point of puking their guts out on a weekly basis.

From experience, people under 21 will get alcohol, we just can't buy it. The drinking age is just a deturent of teens buying it, not drinking.

When will we learn that legislation/criminalization isn't the answer? Prohibition didn't work. The "war on drugs" hasn't worked. How about we try something different for a change?

B

 

[rickvanr]

As long as your smart about and around reasonably responsible people who will take care of you if you do get messy, go have your fun.

The age should be 18, before then with my experience most people are still a little too immature about drinking, lots are after 18 too, but some people will come down, like the OP seems to have done. That's why I feel Canada's (except Quebec) drinking age of 19 is pretty close to perfect.

 

[cslewis]

What do you think of it?

I'm 18 in college and I do go out on weekends to parties and drink.

I do not agree with causing a ruckus, making excessive noise, or vandelizing property. I drink, have a good time, and meet girls.

The only thing I ever get scared about is getting a citation for underage. The fine is outrageous, you gotta take all these alcohol classes, and in PA you will loose your driving license for 90 days.

It just makes me think-- MOST of these cops drank in college too. My parents, and I'm sure my professors drank underage too. How do you justify getting somebody else in trouble when you did the same thing...hipocracy?

Any thoughts are welcome...

I live in Kutztown, where MacFan attends college. From our house, we can watch the packs of plastered college kids walk from Briar Cliff (a housing complex used by university students) to the bars in town, leaving a trail of broken bottles, vandalised property, and cigarette packs in their wake. (Which are swept and cleaned up every morning by the residents of the houses on that street.)
To me, it doesnt matter if you drink. Just make sure you're responsible and control your consumption. I think a reason that our university has such a drinking problem is that the 'charming rural campus' is in the middle of nowhere with nothing for bored college kids to do.

 

[MacFan782040]

I live in Kutztown, where MacFan attends college. From our house, we can watch the packs of plastered college kids walk from Briar Cliff (a housing complex used by university students) to the bars in town, leaving a trail of broken bottles, vandalised property, and cigarette packs in their wake. (Which are swept and cleaned up every morning by the residents of the houses on that street.)
To me, it doesnt matter if you drink. Just make sure you're responsible and control your consumption. I think a reason that our university has such a drinking problem is that the 'charming rural campus' is in the middle of nowhere with nothing for bored college kids to do.

Yeah, basically we live in Middle of Nowhere, PA. Not a bad school, just there's nothing to do on weekends besides go home, stay in your room, or party. And honestly, after a long hard week of studying and stuff, I do enjoy going out.

We had a commedian come to school last semister he goes, "Some schools are known for their medical studies, or big on education or something. Your school is known for parties and STD's."

 

[Chundles]

The legal drinking age in the US is too high and the attitude towards alcohol creates more problems than it solves.

I have seen some truly terrifying ads relating to underage drinking, seen TV shows that basically say that it's evil.

I have worked in a university college where about one third of the population were US students on a 6 month or one year exchange. Most of the students were around the 19 to 20 year old range and I have never seen such immature responses to alcohol. We have a fairly strong drinking culture down here but those american kids would go absolutely nuts - like a couple of kids when Mum and Dad went away.

Most of us here have been introduced to alcohol from fairly early ages, usually a sip of Dad's beer or a little bit of wine or champagne at a special event. We were taught slowly how to drink and appreciate alcoholic drinks whilst also becoming aware of our limits. All this led to a deeper understanding of how alcohol can affect us.

Now, I'm not saying that we don't go out and drink ourselves silly every now and then but it's much less likely that the US kids who don't seem to be able to have "a few quiet ones" without them turning into "a few loud ones."

As for our driving age, it's 16 too but that's only the start. At 16 you get a permit that allows you to drive on the roads but only at speeds up to 80km/h and only when accompanied by a fully licensed driver. You have to spend at least 50 hours doing this, all of which are recorded in a log book which is signed by the licensed driver and must include all number of driving situations and skills.

After this is carried out and you turn 17 you take a comprehensive driving exam to get a provisional license that allows you to drive on your own but only up to 80km/h. You have this for one year, after which a computer hazard perception test is carried out and you get a new provisional license that allows driving at up to 100km/h, this lasts for two years when you can apply for an unrestricted license.

During all this you are limited to a 0.02 blood alcohol limit (less than one drink - used to be 0.00 until they realised that some foods may cause a slightly elevated BAC). For unrestricted licenses the max limit is 0.05.

 

[dornoforpyros]

eh I started drinking at about 15-16. Don't think it screwed me up too bad, plus in Canada the legal drinking age is 18(in most provinces) so I see nothing wrong with an 18 year old drinking.

 

[Josh]

Age is nothing more than a slight hint at someone's level of responsibility and maturity; it is not a solid indication of it by any means.

Drinking should be done by responsible people, regardless of age. I've met 16 year olds more mature than some people I know at 40.

I have no problem with underage drinking, its irresponsible drinking I have a problem with.

It's funny....Americans get so heated by underage issues, but having an age on drinking is not all that common. Americans make too much of an issue out of it, and it becomes a sort of stigma. That stigma creates the tension that leads to the majority of problems Americans associate with drinking.

 

[MacEffects]

Re: se/30 wiith mon out card

I don't think you should break the law.


But with that said, I do think the drinking age is too high.

Agreed, and I think it was MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving - If I am wrong please correct me) that helped change it from 18 to 21... Now 18 if fine for me, since if you think about it, our sons and daughters can fight for our country, but they can't have a drink or two, thats BS Of course I do know our government is not likely to lower the safety of anything. I do think Adults (people over 18) should be allow to buy and drink alcohol, but maybe with restrictions of some-kind.

Also in Germany you can be 16 and drink but you must be 18 to drive... So I suppose you take and give some... But I think my thought is that 16 to drive 18 to drink... That sounds good to me.

 

[Nermal]

I found this (http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/LegalDrinkingAge.html) look at the chart down the bottom, the US has the highest drinking age of the world.

It's not entirely accurate, eg. the NZ age changed to 18 quite some time ago (at least 5 years ago). I'm not entirely sure what the rules are though, I've seen posters in bars saying "it is illegal to buy alcohol for anyone under 18 unless you are their parent or guardian", so there are definitely some exceptions.

 

[bemylover]

drinking too much and being stupid is pointless and harmful.

Not only that but it's shame too.

 

[MacEffects]

Not only that but it's shame too.

Now, that never happened to me before, but... Then again I drink responsible, as everyone should. But not every adult drinks responsible... Its not about age often times its about common sense...

 

[CanadaRAM]

Two college students were walking home drunk on night last week in Vancouver. They decided to take a trail, took the wrong turn and left the trail. Instead of stopping or turning back, kept on blindly through the bush. Their bodies were found a day later at the bottom of a ravine.

 

[davefan6435]

Not only that but it's shame too.

hahahahahahahaha that's classic. I personally drink and I'm 16, generally im stuck being designated driver so I don't do it too much, and getting it for me is very simple, but I don't like it when people act like total idiots when there drunk, I like just relaxing having a spotted cow or something, amazing beer btw.

 

[muffinman]

im almost 16, have never drunk alcohol, and never will. Part of it is because i am a christian, and part because it just seems stupid. You are risking your life and other people's lives when you drink and do various activities. I like to have control over me, and drinking will throw that away.

 

[kretzy]

I also think the US drinking age is too high. Here we can drink once we're 18, but that's not really the issue. As Chundles pointed out, it is the attitude towards drinking that teaches people to be responsible with alcohol. The other thing I think is important is the people around you. The very few times (like twice) I've been "wasted", I've had responsible friends around that looked out for me. I think the campaigns to stop drink driving, have really had an effect, whenever me and my friends go out we always organise who's driving, and we all trust that person not to drink.

Alcohol has many good side effects, but if you can't enjoy it responsibly, regardless of your age, then keep away from the stuff.

 

[kretzy]

Part of it is because i am a christian, and part because it just seems stupid.

I wasn't aware that Christians are not allowed to drink alcohol.

 

[MacEffects]

im almost 16, have never drunk alcohol, and never will. Part of it is because i am a christian, and part because it just seems stupid. You are risking your life and other people's lives when you drink and do various activities. I like to have control over me, and drinking will throw that away.

I agree with your stand and I am glad you are smart enough to do so... Also, I'm not trying to be mean when I ask this but why because you are a christian means you can't drink... Jesus had Wine with his dispels, plus wine has proven good effects when used in moderation... I'm sorry I just don't get the connection.

 

[muffinman]

I wasn't aware that Christians are not allowed to drink alcohol.

no, christians are allowed to drink, but a moral taught is not to lose control over yourself. for more conservative christians, that can be translated as not drinking.

 

[cantthinkofone]

It is ridiculous, 18 and we get tried as an adult and can get sent off to die for this country, yet we can't have a freaken' drink.

What gives?

But yes, everything in moderation.

funny you should say that. I had a friend say that to a female dancer one time......boy did she like him

 

[MacEffects]

no, christians are allowed to drink, but a moral taught is not to lose control over yourself. for more conservative christians, that can be translated as not drinking.

Well, I must say I do understand what you mean, and I am NOT trying to have you use Alcohol I am just making a point, but the only way one can truly know what Alcohol is, and how it affects you is be experimentation, when I was 17 I tried Alcohol got drunk, and found out why its not good (the hard way) but I learned a lot by doing so... Slight drinking is not but, but in some cases good... Like I said, don't change what you do or who you are, you are smart not to do so.

And, strange thing my paster of my Lutheran church drinks a few beers every Sunday while watching Football, is that bad in your opinion? Also, I think hes VERY conservative.

I'm not trying focus this on you muffinman but its just a topic of this we all need to think about.

 

[kretzy]

no, christians are allowed to drink, but a moral taught is not to lose control over yourself. for more conservative christians, that can be translated as not drinking.

Ah ok, it's just that I know lots of christians (I'm supposed to be one myself ) and they've never not drunk. I suppose it depends on which denomination you belong to. Good on you for sticking to your morals though!

 

[muffinman]

And, strange thing my paster of my Lutheran church drinks a few beers every Sunday while watching Football, is that bad in your opinion? Also, I think hes VERY conservative.

I'm not trying focus this on you muffinman but its just a topic of this we all need to think about.

It's not a bad thing, but I'm surprised that he would drink. All the pasters and religious leaders I have met never drink. I don't know. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and there is a mixed bag of feelings.

 

[CubaTBird]

im 19.. and don't intend on drinking pretty much ever.. it has nothing to do with religion with me.. its just the way i feel..

 

[CanadaRAM]

the only way one can truly know what Alcohol is, and how it affects you is be experimentation.

I would dispute that. There are any number of things I could do to my body that I have no need to test first to see if it is bad or not.

Whether you choose to drink (defined as drink alcohol in quantities sufficient for altered mental state), or to toke, or to... whatever... is a choice. The insidious thing is that your ability to choose well diminishes as you partake, including the choice whether to have another.

 

[Josh]

People always say "We can die for this country at 18, but can't have a drink" or some variation of it, but that's not entirely true.

The men and women who are 18 and are in a situation to die for the country (ie in the military) can actually drink at 18 (legally), if their superiors say that it increases the 'spirit of the corps.'

Which I think is good. Why should every 18 yr. old be able to drink just because a few die? If that arguement is used, I'd say only those dying at 18 should be able to drink at 18.