Underage Drinking

[EGT]

We really need to bump that up to 21, same with the driving licence.

A driving license should definitely only be available at 20/21. Being able to drive at 16 is just madness.

I don't know, I think 18 is OK for beer and the like. Not stronger alcoholic drinks. Like others have said, if you're stupid enough to get so rat arsed that you do silly stuff or hurt yourself then you deserve all the crap you get.

One of life's little lessons really, isn't it?

It's probably more a case of stupidity causing a problem than alcohol.

 

[vniow]

I have to agree the limit here in the US is too high which probably leads to a bunch of kids who don't know what the **** they're doing while making complete asses out of themselves due to a lack of experience and education with drinking. I didn't really start until after I turned 21, the "its an acquired taste" mantra held true for awhile so it took me a bit of time to get used to it and I've only gotton really drunk twice, the first was at a party in SC where I ended up making out with this girl most of the night and the other time I got quite a bit more wasted and don't remember most of what happened (although I again, made out with another girl apparently) and both times I had a blast.

I wasn't stupid about it though, I made sure I was with friends both times so that we could watch out for each other and in close proximity to where we were spending the night afterwards, the first time my car was parked nearby but there was no way in hell I was going to drive it and I wouldn't let anyone else touch it either!

Like what has been mentioned before, everything in moderation. I generally don't like to get so ****ed up that I don't remember what happened the night before but i also like to have a good time.

-Ani

 

[greatdevourer]

yeah your right.....neither was I......whats with all the water into wine business ?

It depends. For instance, baptists are against alcohol, but the majority aren't. One thing the Bible does tell us is to remain in control at all times - alcohol is one very easy way of losing control (as I think he said earlier in the thread)

 

[MarkCollette]

To all the people saying it's immoral to drink alcohol: Studies show definite health benefits of drinking 1-2 drinks per day. Having a glass of wine over your supper meal simply cannot lead to you "losing control". Isn't your body supposed to be a "temple"? Then don't you have a resonsibilty to do the healthy thing, and have that one drink a day?

 

[XNine]

Well, I partied mroe than a rockstar when I was a teen. Actually from when I was 14 til I was 16 there probably weren't many days where I was sober 100% of the time, either from drugs or alcohol. I quit drugs when I was 16. Why? BEcause I became angry, very violent and I didn't like it (even though it was only weed, well, mostly).

I didn't like the feeling any longer, so I stopped.

I guess it comes down to responsibilty. I don't give a damn if someone drinks and really, you're 18. You're old enough to where you should know right from wrong and if you're causing any harm to yourself or others.

Getting intoxicated, does not not make you a dumbass, as CanadaRam so eliquently put it.

Getting drunk can be very good for you, albeit not ALL of the time. A celebration every once in a while won't kill you as long as you know your limits, and will allow you to blow of some steam at the same time.

I've seen all of these stories about kdis in college dying from alcohol poisening. I say "good." Because it teaches people that they need to know their limit, and if they don't respect that limit, then they deserve what happens to them.

Get drunk, have fun, but for God's sake, wear a rubber and don't drive (or ride with those that have been drinking).

 

[ibook30]

I agree that the legal driving age to drive should NOT be 16; I know many states have it at 18. I know at least here in Georgia, that law was made so young boys could legally operate TRACTORS on farms. 16 year olds are not mature enough to operate vehicles. I'm 18 and don't have a license yet -- I dont think I'm a safe enough driver yet. There were just a couple of juniors at my school in intensive care because they were racing.

Think about all the neat ways you can screw up your life before you can drink in the US -

*at 18 you can join the armed services without parental consent or get DRAFTED
*at 18 you can vote to help make decisions for the entire country
*at 16 drive a car
*at 18 you can own firearms
*at 18 you can get married and screw your life up real good

Lot's of strange contradictions. A lot of them have been pointed out by Mojo Nixon in "Burn Down The Malls".

No matter what age, making bad decisions with alcohol is a bad thing. But there are benefits to moderate drinking (think about the heart and one glass of red wine a day...)

 

[~Shard~]

To all the people saying it's immoral to drink alcohol: Studies show definite health benefits of drinking 1-2 drinks per day. Having a glass of wine over your supper meal simply cannot lead to you "losing control". Isn't your body supposed to be a "temple"? Then don't you have a resonsibilty to do the healthy thing, and have that one drink a day?

Agreed - again, everything in moderation. I enjoy going to the pub for a pint or two with my buddies, or having a nice glass of red wine when I'm out dining. I'll have a couple cocktails too depending on the circumstances, if I'm at the bar or something, but nothing crazy. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

I'm 16, and I am a good driver based on seeing how other teens drive. Most kids my age aren't good drivers, and I honestly think the aged should be upped. Do 17 at least, 16 is quite young for driving IMO.

As far as drinking, I personally don't drink really. Then again, none of my friends drink either, so it's hardly a temptation. Now, I do enjoy the taste of some alcoholic drinks, but I still don't find myself drinking all to much. I might have a wine cooler or a mixed drink from time to time (as in maybe once every two months), just to be social, but that's about all.

 

[e²Studios]

Think about all the neat ways you can screw up your life before you can drink in the US -

*at 18 you can join the armed services without parental consent or get DRAFTED
*at 18 you can vote to help make decisions for the entire country
*at 16 drive a car
*at 18 you can own firearms
*at 18 you can get married and screw your life up real good

Lot's of strange contradictions. A lot of them have been pointed out by Mojo Nixon in "Burn Down The Malls".

No matter what age, making bad decisions with alcohol is a bad thing. But there are benefits to moderate drinking (think about the heart and one glass of red wine a day...)

At 18 you wouldn't need parental consent for anything, let alone joining the armed forces as you are considered legally responsible for your own actions and can legally enter in to contracts.

At 18 you can own a shotgun, but you cannot purchase a handgun until you are 21.

Ed

 

[applekid]

Just wondering, where do you kids all get your drinks from?

I know plenty of parties happening and underage drinkers, but I don't drink or smoke, so I don't really know what's going on. I just know plenty of drunks and potheads that are ridiculously obnoxious in class and have careless parents.

That said, I still think the drinking age should be lowered here. The Europeans are doing something right with drinking and sex for it to be not be so much a problem over there than here.

 

[muffinman]

Just wondering, where do you kids all get your drinks from?

It's usually from older friends or people they know.

 

[greatdevourer]

Just wondering, where do you kids all get your drinks from?

Most of the liquor/spirits I drink is gifts from my grandmother, but the majority of it is other peoples. However...
"You 18?"
"Yeah, lemme just get..."
*fumbles around jacket and trouser pockets, clearly looking for something*
"Ah, sh*t"
"Hmm... I'll let you through... but just this once"
*takes note of who it was so as to get a new person next time*

 

[TrenchMouth]

I am all for lowering the drinking age to 18. I am 23 now, so I don't stand to benefit as much from it as I would have a few years ago. However, I think, along with lowering the drinking age they should instate harsher penalties for stuff like DUI, DWI, public intoxication, and stuff like that.

See, I don't believe that the average 18 year old is intelligent enough to be smart about drinking. Rather, I acknowledge the fact that many people well beyond the age of 18 are still alcohol retarded, who still do stupid things under the influence, and then jump right back into it when they are fine again.

Lets just assume that everyone is retarded concerning alcohol safety and I think we will be pleasantly surprised when it turns out to be a minority of dumb people that catch headlines. Lets punish those people harder. Come on, it will be fun.

 

[mwpeters8182]

Here's the thing - over here (USA), you'll be told drinking at all is bad - it's a horrible thing to do. So when folks get to college, or get a chance to drink, they want to try it out -- that's just human nature.

My parents would always let me have wine with dinner, and made note that there was nothing wrong with drinking in moderation. This is a much better way to go than the "drinking will kill you, it's bad, don't do it" mantra that's spoonfed via television - because you'll hear people say one thing, and then see them having a drink 15 minutes later.

 

[SamIchi]

Besides the legality of the issue. I don't find anything wrong with it. I mean you should atleast be over 17 or 18, and have the maturity to control yourself. Moderation is also key. If you know how to control yourself I think it's fine (I know that's hard with alcohol). I had my first drink when I was 17 at a party.

I think some (or most) legal aged people shouldn't be able to drink because they lose all sense of control, it's ridiculous. It's the retards that make alcohol look bad.

 

[m-dogg]

I drank before I was 21. A little bit in high school, but especially in college. Just be careful, you never know when or how you may get caught!

When I was in college I was arrested for possession of alcohol by a minor. I had to go to court and pay a fine. It happened when we cut through a dorm to see a friend. It happened that there was just a dorm party there that the police were called to. We walked in and the cop was right there, and he wasn't in a good mood. Classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It was ironic because the only reason we were going through that particular dorm was to go to a friend who was staying in and studying that night. She offered to give us a ride later that night if we needed one. So instead of just getting in the car and driving ourselves we went to a sober driver...and got arrested in the process.

The point is, even if you aren't acting like a jackass, you can still get into trouble when drinking underage.

Anyway, I find it silly that (in the USA) you can drive at 16, vote at 18 and die for your country at 18. But if you want a beer you have to be 21.

 

[DaveP]

To all the people saying it's immoral to drink alcohol: Studies show definite health benefits of drinking 1-2 drinks per day. Having a glass of wine over your supper meal simply cannot lead to you "losing control". Isn't your body supposed to be a "temple"? Then don't you have a resonsibilty to do the healthy thing, and have that one drink a day?

I could be wrong, but I have also heard that studies show that grape juice provides a very similar benefit (compared to wine).

While I'm at it, I'll throw my opinion in...I'm 22 and have never drank. I am opposed to getting drunk and I don't see much of a point with hanging out with drunk people or spending a lot of money on something that tastes like crap. I've listened to a lot of pro-drinking arguments and can understand and respect social drinking, but I don't have respect for people who get drunk.

 

[~Shard~]

I could be wrong, but I have also heard that studies show that grape juice provides a very similar benefit (compared to wine).

No, you are not wrong - many scientists say that the healthy effects of wine are actually attributed to the antioxidants, etc. in the grapes themselves, so eating grapes may essentially have the same effect - there is nothing special with the wine, or its alcoholic nature itself.

 

[Chuckles]

I've never had a drink before due to being underaged. The drinking age in the United States is too high, though. Kids in different countries drink at like... 14. I do think getting drunk is wrong. Espessially for a minor to get drunk. But drinking in general is not wrong for a teenager. Just be responsible about it.

 

[Josh]

Most of the liquor/spirits I drink is gifts from my grandmother, but the majority of it is other peoples. However...
"You 18?"
"Yeah, lemme just get..."
*fumbles around jacket and trouser pockets, clearly looking for something*
"Ah, sh*t"
"Hmm... I'll let you through... but just this once"
*takes note of who it was so as to get a new person next time*

LOL

That's most unlikely.

Selling to minors is a HUGE deal, and I think most people selling it will take it more seriously than just shrugging it off and hoping the person is 21.

Again, this is just what I *think*. Of course, I could be entirely wrong, at which point I should be seeing the end of our society just around the corner.

 

[MarkCollette]

I could be wrong, but I have also heard that studies show that grape juice provides a very similar benefit (compared to wine).

I read Shard's response, so I can believe it. The funny thing though is that all the best grapes are made into wine, and the crappy stuff is what's made into juice. I've been to several vinyards, and I buy grapes in the store all the time. There is no comparison. The size, the taste, the care in growing them, and the fact that most wine grapes are not poisonned with pesticides, etc.

Now, if you were to buy non-dehydrated wine kits, and drink that juice straight, maybe you'd get the best of both worlds

While I'm at it, I'll throw my opinion in...I'm 22 and have never drank. I am opposed to getting drunk and I don't see much of a point with hanging out with drunk people or spending a lot of money on something that tastes like crap. I've listened to a lot of pro-drinking arguments and can understand and respect social drinking, but I don't have respect for people who get drunk.

Yeah, my Dad's parents were alcoholics, so he was totally against drinking anything, because he associates that with alcoholism, violence, starvation, poverty. There's a vast middle ground that most of us live in, that's quite unlike the imagery I get from your post. Notice your assumption of drinking = drunk.

I can understand not liking the taste of some drinks, but I wouldn't assume that it's representative of the whole. For example, I detest beer. Almost every beer I've ever tried. And I don't like very dry wines. But there are a lot of other wines that I do really like. That's why I make my own wine, so I can make it how I like it. Another good one is a bit of vodka with any of my favorite juices.

Plus, it would be hard to imagine life without the beautiful experience of the home cooked dinner date. Having a girl [or whatever you're into] over, cooking her a nice meal, candle light, some soft trance music in the background, interesting conversation, and of course, a deep red wine. After the meal, moving over to somewhere more comfortable, talking some more, drowning in their eyes, touching, kissing, tasting that fruity aroma on their tongue... Her spilling the wine on the floor, staining the carpet, trying to clean it with OXY, but that stain never really goes away, kicking her out onto the street, "Get lost you klutzy bitch!", damn that red wine, if only I didn't drink alcohol...

 

[greatdevourer]

LOL

That's most unlikely.

Selling to minors is a HUGE deal, and I think most people selling it will take it more seriously than just shrugging it off and hoping the person is 21.

Again, this is just what I *think*. Of course, I could be entirely wrong, at which point I should be seeing the end of our society just around the corner.

It has succeded twice (other times I get told to piss off ). It helps that I'm a lot taller than most for people a coupla years older than me And it's just 18, not 21

 

[bartelby]

I've noticed recently a lot of shops have started putting up posters saying:

"If you appear to be under 21 you will be asked for proof of age to buy alcohol"

I got served, beer or spirits, in off licenses from the age of 14 or 15. I've only been asked for ID once...when I was 21!

I've been served in pubs from the age of 16, I've only had to show ID twice. Both times it was when I was in the States. Once because it was at a gig and the other was in The Keg in Evanston.

 

[Daveway]

Personally, I think they should reduce the drinking age if around a legal guardian or such. The problem is that far too often, you have kids who've never touched alcohol becoming 18 and the first thing they want to do is get hammered. Why? Because it was always a carrot dangled just in front of your nose - close enough to see, but not enough to take a bite. It's why my parents are comparitivly lax about alcohol, because alcohol is nothing new for me. It's not the forbidden fruit to me. I'm not quite given a key to the liquor cabinet (partly because it's more of a liquor shelf ), but it annoys me even now when you go to parties where the parents have left stuff out and everyone goes "OOH! ALCOHOL! LET'S GET PISSED!".

You have summed up most of my argument. My parents are a lot like yours and this is why when I go out I drink in moderation and don't get hammered out of my mind like the people whom are locked up do.

 

[quigleybc]

The First time I got drunk...I got arrested...


and it was in PA


I was like 14 or so....and when I turned 16, I had to wait for around 4 months before I could apply for a Drivers L...sucked..

So, if you do get wasted, don't hang out at Sheetz and barf on the merchandise, and don't barf in the cop car...and don't laugh at the cops...

Just in case you were wondering..