Raise the drinking age

Sundae · 10-04-2006, 04:57 AM

Personally, I think it isn't the age of the people who drink, but the culture of drinking they grow up in. This is not a criticism of American culture - we have a similar problem here.

Ideally, children should be introduced to the concept of social drinking as early as possible. Parents who take their children out to restaurants, or have the odd glass of wine with the family meal teach their offspring to drink responsibly.

The US currently has the highest legal drinking age in the world. I don't think raising it will help teach a more responsible attitude to consumption, it will just drive it underground, as did Prohibition.

DucksNuts · 10-04-2006, 05:52 AM

I'm with Sundae Girl. I think its cultural and therefor, dont think altering the legal age will change a thing.

I often wonder whether lowering the age limit over there might have more of a positive impact?
I mean, you lower the drinking age limit and let these 18-19 year olds into clubs/pubs....are they more likely to party *sensibly* in a *controlled* environment, than they would be sneaking around someones house and thinking up dumbshit to do??

My parents introduced us all to drinking at a early age. If Mum or Dad went to the bottleshop, we were asked what we would like to try, 1 can was bought and we were encouraged to drink it with the rest of the family.

Legal drinking age here is 18.

I always thought it was a bit dumb to have these teenagers, become *adults*, get their license, drink legally and vote...ALL on the same birthday.

10-04-2006, 04:57 AM	#1
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Personally, I think it isn't the age of the people who drink, but the culture of drinking they grow up in. This is not a criticism of American culture - we have a similar problem here. Ideally, children should be introduced to the concept of social drinking as early as possible. Parents who take their children out to restaurants, or have the odd glass of wine with the family meal teach their offspring to drink responsibly. The US currently has the highest legal drinking age in the world. I don't think raising it will help teach a more responsible attitude to consumption, it will just drive it underground, as did Prohibition. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

10-04-2006, 05:52 AM	#2
DucksNuts Bitchy Little Brat Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 5,067	I'm with Sundae Girl. I think its cultural and therefor, dont think altering the legal age will change a thing. I often wonder whether lowering the age limit over there might have more of a positive impact? I mean, you lower the drinking age limit and let these 18-19 year olds into clubs/pubs....are they more likely to party sensibly in a controlled environment, than they would be sneaking around someones house and thinking up dumbshit to do?? My parents introduced us all to drinking at a early age. If Mum or Dad went to the bottleshop, we were asked what we would like to try, 1 can was bought and we were encouraged to drink it with the rest of the family. Legal drinking age here is 18. I always thought it was a bit dumb to have these teenagers, become adults, get their license, drink legally and vote...ALL on the same birthday.

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