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We all know prohibition didn't work. Seriously , what is the point of having a 21 and over drinking age. If you can restrict it for 18 year olds, why not restrict it for 30 year olds or 40 year olds??
Very true. Whatever age you can be tried as an adult, you ought to have all the privileges and immunities of an adult.
The drinking age was 18 in New York when I attended college there in the early '70s. Ironically, I switched from Pepsi to Michelob because a 6-pack of Michelob was cheaper than a 6-pack of Pepsi, and I was on a tight budget. Seriously, it wasn't that I landed at college and went nuts drinking alcohol because I could do so legally - it was because I could better afford beer than I could afford my drink of choice, Pepsi.
That said, there was always a lot of booze around - bars, dorms, frat houses, everywhere. It was easy to drink, and easy to over-drink, and for me, easy to begin a long period of my life where I drank every day. Thankfully, those days have been over for more than 20 years.
Although I had a ball at college and learned a lot about life, I know that personally, I would have done better with my classwork without drinking at that age. I wasn't aware enough or strong enough to prevent alcohol from becoming a much-too-important part of my life. But that's just my opinion.
Yes, I know that if an 18-year-old (or younger) wants to drink, he or she will find a way. But when it's legal, it's a whole lot easier. And while it may not be "fair" for an 18-year-old to be able to vote, and serve in the military, etc., etc., who ever said life is fair?
Here's a link to a pretty good summary of both pros and cons for lowering the drinking age from 21: Drinking Age ProCon.org
Age is arbitrary.
The fact that humans haven't come up with a way to mark adulthood other than time is a failing.
Well, "adulthood" is a pretty arbitrary thing. Although some studies show that the mind isn't finished developing until age 25.
Any way, I think lowering the age to 18 wouldn't be disastrous but it wouldn't be great either. We have a strong drinking culture in this country. Like, really strong. There are many other countries with drinking ages set at 18 (some allowing for beer & wine at 16) that don't seem to be desolate wastelands of alcoholics, but they also have different attitudes towards alcohol.
19 is too young to vote. They have a lot to learn yet. Fortunately, most 19 year-olds understand this and don't vote.
Only 49 percent of eligible voters age 18-29 voted in the last election anyway.
Let's be honest, I would venture to guess that at least 50% of adults 30 and over are unqualified to vote. I don't think a bunch of 19 year old ass hats could skew the numbers any worse than they already are.
Let's be honest, I would venture to guess that at least 50% of adults 30 and over are unqualified to vote. I don't think a bunch of 19 year old ass hats could skew the numbers any worse than they already are.
Good point, I can't argue with you. But raising the voting age to 21 would at least be a start. And it would send a message that's important for other reasons.
Should an 18 year old be allowed to buy a gun, or operate a 2,000 pound vehicle that can go up 90 miles per hour??
Now the true reason for this thread comes out...guns....
Yes, as long as they have the proper training and are interested...
Just like guns, if an 18 year old wants to buy his own gun they can.....they also have the right not to buy a gun also.
On the other hand, a 15 year old can start to drive with a learners permit with their parents in the car, which in turn TEACHES them how to drive.
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