Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

I finally understand why the drinking age is 21

profile picture
KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
Now i just turned 22....and i really do understand why the drinking age is 21. Looking back, there is no way 18 year old kids as a whole are ready to have a "couple" drinks and drive. People change so much between that time period. Also, going to bars in NYC i would hate being there with underage bros from high school shit would suck...considering girls can get it most of the time anyways
Aug 16 2012 8:06AM
0 0
profile picture
@skiinmitch
Posts: 2781 - Karma: 78
fuck ya alberta! i turn 18 in 11 days. so jacked.
Aug 16 2012 5:56PM
0 0
profile picture
WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
kravtz you always pull through with pretty meh posts in regards to substances.

i agree that if the drinking age were 18 in the US it would be bad news, but that's not because 18 year olds aren't mature enough. First of all, if it were suddenly lowered from 21 to 18, it would be bad for obvious reasons, which is why I don't ever really see that happening. Kids would go nuts. Second, 18 is still long enough that kids start foaming at the mouth to be able to legally drink, and given that they can drive at 16 this could lead to a lot of drunk driving accidents at 18. 21 year olds definitely do, on average, have better decision making skills than 18 year olds. i'm only 20 but I shake my head at some of the things I did at 18.

However, I think European countries have it figured out. If kids start drinking young, the novelty of alcohol is gone by the time they reach driving/partying age, and they usually drink more responsibly. I believe in England kids can start drinking beer/wine in private with parents at age 5, can publicly buy beer/wine at 16, and liquor at 18 (not 100% positive but it's something like that). To me, that's a perfect system. There will always be kids who drive drunk and take drinking too far, but at least kids are used to alcohol by the time they get behind the wheel and binge drinking doesn't have as much appeal. So I don't really think it has to do with age at all; kids should be taught how to consume alcohol at a young age (BEFORE they are allowed to drive) so they are more responsible later on.
Aug 16 2012 5:59PM
0 0
profile picture
WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
and to add a little credibility to my post, one of my roommates was arrested for drunk driving 6 days after he turned 21 and had a BAC of .2 Not that that's representative of all 21 year olds in any way, but it certainly shows that turning 21 doesn't necessarily mean much at all.
Aug 16 2012 6:04PM
0 0
profile picture
jibjunkie
Posts: 3807 - Karma: 191
and what happens when we have to waste tax dollars on dumb asses who OD or get alcohol poisoning?
Aug 16 2012 6:11PM
0 0
profile picture
CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
same thing that happens to the 21 year olds who OD or get alcohol poisoning
Aug 16 2012 6:19PM
0 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 51643 - Karma: 162,229
How is this different than what happens now?


And when they get brought to the hospital they get a huge fucking bill. It's not taxpayers money.


Aug 16 2012 6:22PM
0 0
profile picture
jibjunkie
Posts: 3807 - Karma: 191
making something legal somehow tricks people into thinking its safe aka more drug use and drinking. which is almost as retarted as people who think something harmless should be legal. neither is true
Aug 16 2012 6:51PM
0 0
profile picture
howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
if they can't pay it then they file for bankruptcy, and the government absolves their debt, boom free taxpayer money (obama cash)


instead of lowering the drinking age they should raise the driving age to 18
Aug 16 2012 6:54PM
0 0
profile picture
JIB_WALRUS
Posts: 671 - Karma: 130
excessive alcohol consumption will always be unhealthy for you.
Aug 16 2012 7:41PM
0 0
profile picture
HermioneGranger
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 101
I disagree. Although there will always be some divergence, age is generally a good way to determine maturity.

I don't think the drinking age promotes alcohol abuse by many of the youth of the United States. I would argue that popular culture produces this current, but there is no point in blaming it completely since our actions speak louder than words (or images on the television screen). My point: it would not do any good to change the drinking age, because we've been steeped in vulgar values that are continually being promoted by our friends and media. The majority of youth believe that one should drink to get drunk. They have not been taught about drinking alcohol in moderation--a glass of wine at dinner or a beer at the saturday market. More simply, people hate change. This is one of those changes, such as vernacular liturgy, which most people (minus the youth) would dislike, since it has been the norm for quite a long time. Therefore, we probably will not see the drinking age change anytime soon.


But since we're beating a dead horse, a meme is in order:
Click for larger image
Aug 16 2012 7:44PM
0 0
profile picture
jibjunkie
Posts: 3807 - Karma: 191
yup. plus the ER is forced to take care of someone in need despite if they have money or insurance
Aug 16 2012 7:45PM
0 0
profile picture
.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
that is never ok.



I think the drinking age should be 18 for this reason, I can die for my country at 18 but I cant enjoy a beer. At least for military members make it be 18. I know I wouldnt mind enjoying a few cold ones before leaving for a deployment.
Aug 16 2012 7:50PM
0 0
profile picture
jibjunkie
Posts: 3807 - Karma: 191
i really will never understand this argument no matter how many times someone explains it so why even bother. is there some magic correlation that fighting in the army makes you an adult and also that consuming alcohol is for adults? like seriously i just dont get the connection between two polar opposites. it would be like me saying if i can drive a car i can vote. zero correlation hence completely flawed logic. it just baffles me at how popular of a argument it is consider its kind of idiotic
Aug 16 2012 8:07PM
0 0
profile picture
.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
so dying for your country is idiotic?



the correlation is that you are an adult, who can fight in the country's military, and vote. you are an adult. it should have been 18 a long time ago, but it will never change just because every 18 year old would get shit faced and kill themselves from alcohol poisoning.

I dont see how smoking cigarettes is any better at 18 since that is going to cause permanent damage.
Aug 16 2012 8:16PM
0 0
profile picture
JIB_WALRUS
Posts: 671 - Karma: 130
i think if you're mature enough to die for your country you're probably mature enough to drink just a guess tho
Aug 16 2012 8:25PM
0 0
profile picture
Bodhisattva_
Posts: 5749 - Karma: 2,009
Welp, you sure took that one out of context.
Aug 16 2012 8:26PM
0 0
profile picture
jibjunkie
Posts: 3807 - Karma: 191
cigarettes dont impair your judgement.....
Aug 16 2012 8:29PM
0 0
profile picture
.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
I could be a politician! that was a pretty low move on my part.
Aug 16 2012 8:30PM
0 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 51643 - Karma: 162,229
Click for larger image

Aug 16 2012 8:32PM
0 0
profile picture
Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,846
This haha, Glad I didn't get involved in this thread. There should be an age limit on posting
Aug 16 2012 8:34PM
0 0
profile picture
jibjunkie
Posts: 3807 - Karma: 191
completely not scientific but you would be shocked at the number of people i have met who drink underage because it is eventually legal once you turn 21 but dont blaze cuz its illegal. not a fact just something ive noticed. having alcohol be legal once your 21 makes kids think if they are close to 21 or feel mature that they can handle it. the statistics prove otherwise. and i laugh at people who say weed is harmless hence it should be legal. there is no correlation that harmless things need to be legal
Aug 16 2012 8:38PM
0 0
profile picture
BlackCupid
Posts: 1533 - Karma: 9
Even your explanation makes no sense.

Sir, if I could make a recommendation, I think you would benefit greatly from a writing class. Maybe you could talk to your counselor and have it put on your schedule for this year?
Aug 16 2012 8:40PM
0 0
profile picture
jibjunkie
Posts: 3807 - Karma: 191
i dont have money to waste on no damn writing class haha and its not required for my major so why bother. ill reword so you can understand

there is no law that states that all harmless products,substances, or plants need to be legal for the publics use or consumption
Aug 16 2012 8:43PM
0 0
profile picture
JIB_WALRUS
Posts: 671 - Karma: 130
with this kind of logic if the government legalized heroin people/underage people would do it
Aug 16 2012 8:44PM
0 0
profile picture
jibjunkie
Posts: 3807 - Karma: 191
i do think this would happen. how do you not? from an early age kids are taught of the concrete damage and death that can result from drinking or hell even smoking cigarettes. yet they continue to grow up and use them. how would this be any different? yes u can enjoy alcohol and not get brain damage, cirosis of the liver, alcohol poisoning, or death but you can also enjoy heroin without OD'ing or dying. yes heroin is a powerful drug that most get addicted to but many people develop debilitating life shattering addictions to alcohol so how is it any different?
Aug 16 2012 8:52PM
0 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 51643 - Karma: 162,229
The constitution was kind of drawn up so that you have rights. The government was set up in a way to protect the people from the government. Basically doing shit on your own time without harming anyone else is your own business.



Before you try to make an argument you should change the law and make something legal, first try to reasonable argument to support that thing being made illegal in the first place. If there is no solid reason for it being made illegal in the first place, why the hell is it illegal?(rhetorical) Even if that doesn't matter to you, there's a fuck ton of good reasons for making it legal.


Our country was founded on the principle of freedom. The government was designed in way that left us in charge of keeping it in check.

"That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it"

The government is supposed to serve the people, not the other way around. At some point we stopped doing our job to keep the govt in check.


It's ironic when you have so many ignorant fucks in the street with American flags, getting drunk, yelling about freedom every 4th and yet they're actually responsible for helping to take away the very freedoms this country was founded on.

If there's any pastime I love its ironing.


Gotta love the state of 'Murica. The people bitching about everyone being unpatriotic are many times the same people fucking America up the butthole.



/rant
Aug 16 2012 8:58PM
0 0
profile picture
BlackCupid
Posts: 1533 - Karma: 9
Why are you so complacent in the letting the government abridge your freedoms? If a substance is relatively harmless, there is no reason why people shouldn't be allowed to use it.
Aug 16 2012 9:03PM
0 0
profile picture
jibjunkie
Posts: 3807 - Karma: 191
first of all it isnt harmless so just putting this out there. with that said it presents a massive threat to big business. it could single handedly destroy the lumber industry among others. everything in this country always comes down to politics and making weed legal would have massive repercussions that are near impossible to predict or foresee. and im thinking its time for me to slip out of this thread. its been real ns off to drink my face off YOLO
Aug 16 2012 9:15PM
0 0
profile picture
BlackCupid
Posts: 1533 - Karma: 9
You think marijuana/hemp is going to replace wood? And you think this is a good reason to keep marijuana illegal? What?
Aug 16 2012 9:18PM
0 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 51643 - Karma: 162,229
I doubt it but it's a fun game.


I just love threads that allow me to leave some sourcey rants every once in a while.
Aug 16 2012 9:28PM
0 0
profile picture
Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
Countries with lower drinking ages have less problems related to teen drinking. It doesn't have that "badass" feel to it.

Furthermore, the real reason the drinking age is 21 in every state is political. A few states decided to raise it to 21, and the Feds wanted all states to do it. Sure, it was still technically the states' choice as to whether to change it or not, but when states like NH and VT said they didn't want to do it, the feds threatened to cut funding for highway maintenance and other things like that.
Aug 16 2012 9:31PM
0 0
profile picture
.Annydrew.
Posts: 749 - Karma: 38
Me being British this might sound biased, but I think we have all our laws spot on, driving at 17, drinking and smoking at 18. (well you can smoke at 16 if your parents buy it for you etc etc).

The thing I don't understand about America is that you can fight for your country at 18, yet you cant go for a causal beer after a hard days work, that has to be the most retarded thing ever. I know people abuse drinking, but the fact that you can die for your country, yet not drink a beer is just absurd.

That's just my two cents on it though.
Aug 16 2012 9:37PM
0 0
profile picture
WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
this has been addressed and it's a weak argument. it sounds good at first, but when you actually think about the logic behind it, it doesn't make much sense. When you go to war, the only people you are endangering are yourself and the enemy. If you are drinking and decide to drive, you are endangering the lives of innocent people. I'm not saying the drinking age should be what it is, just explaining why the argument doesn't really hold any water.
Aug 16 2012 9:41PM
0 0
profile picture
Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
This this this. Also, Jibjunkie never fails to make me laugh at his stupidity.
Aug 16 2012 9:47PM
0 0
profile picture
SmotSmoke
Posts: 599 - Karma: 2,728
I think that is due to the drinking age being 21. If the drinking age was lowered I think it would be a lot like europe. People would be more used to it when it comes there time to drink legally. I feel if alcohol were more excepted like in europe kids would grow up and have their parents teach them how to drink responsibly and not become alcoholics.

I know a lot of 21 year olds who go all out and drink excessively in clubs and bars. It really depends on the person. I'm 18 and am able to get shipped off to Afghanistan and hold a M16, shoot and take a life. Yet I am not able to hold a beer. That doesn't make sense to me.
Aug 16 2012 9:58PM
0 0
profile picture
.Annydrew.
Posts: 749 - Karma: 38
Not many people in the UK drink drives, none of my friends do anyway, its such an unheard of and looked upon thing that you'd never do, I know one person who does it, and he works at a vineyard, he is a fucking idiot because of it though, I think the reason its looked upon so seriously is because of the amount of money they put into it, and it really has helped because the number of drink driving accidents has been slashed over the past few years.
Aug 16 2012 9:58PM
0 0
profile picture
shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
yeah man piss off everything you've said has been seriously dumb as fuck. why don't you write "correlation" a few more times you berk
Aug 16 2012 9:59PM
0 0
profile picture
WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
how old are you? I ask because that sounds like something a kid would say who has been told that drinking and driving is absolutely terrible no matter what.

obviously driving once you're past the legal limit is bad, but there is a reason the legal limit is .08. It allows for a few drinks over an evening, and many adults can safely drive after that. It's unrealistic to expect adults to wait 2 hours to sober up just because they had a couple beers with dinner. Drinking to the point of your BAC being over .08 then driving isn't cool, but it's a little goofy to look down on somebody for driving after a drink or two when they're within the legal range.
Aug 16 2012 10:00PM
0 0
profile picture
WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
For sure. But you were talking about the US, where drunk driving is a very real problem.
Aug 16 2012 10:02PM
0 0
profile picture
accualyisdolan
Posts: 3295 - Karma: -192
drinking age is 16 in alot of euro countries. girls are also legal at 16 in alot of euro countries. savages over there...
Aug 16 2012 10:03PM
0 0
profile picture
kungfusteeze
Posts: 700 - Karma: 47
Actually bro, there is quite a few people who change in that period between 18-21. A few years can do ALOT for somebodies maturity level. It is a case by case deal, but isn't just some "arbitrary" idea society agrees on. People go through alot of big steps in those years. Graduation, moving out, going to college, etc. And those things can cause changes in people.
Aug 16 2012 10:06PM
0 0
profile picture
jeR.
Posts: 1325 - Karma: 58
everyone in this thread is missing the fact that drunk driving is cool as shit.
Aug 16 2012 10:09PM
0 0
profile picture
Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
I hope to fuckkng god your trolling. A drunk driver killed my cousin and a close friend. Fuck you.
Aug 16 2012 10:19PM
0 0
profile picture
blackmamba.
Posts: 969 - Karma: 56
check your meter
Aug 16 2012 10:20PM
0 0
profile picture
BlackCupid
Posts: 1533 - Karma: 9
Lowering the drinking age isn't legalizing drunken driving.

Also, a person that decides to drink and drive should not be allowed to carry a gun into combat. If somebody shows that much disregard for the safety of others, I don't understand why we would give him a weapon. However, these kids, whom you're so certain will drink and drive more often if they can consume alcohol legally, are still allowed to enlist in the army. Where's the logic in that? Either you think they're responsible enough to drink or you don't, but you can't say they're responsible enough to kill people but not responsible enough to drink.
Aug 16 2012 10:20PM
0 0
profile picture
Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
I know I know. Still makes me rage.
Aug 16 2012 10:22PM
0 0
profile picture
annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
alberta you can get your learners license at 14 and legal drinking age is 18 here.
Aug 16 2012 11:09PM
0 0
profile picture
jeR.
Posts: 1325 - Karma: 58
my B
Aug 16 2012 11:11PM
0 0
profile picture
Backyard.Skier
Posts: 5397 - Karma: 1,497
party hard.
Aug 16 2012 11:11PM
0 0
profile picture
B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
It seems as though the US went about this the wrong way. In Australia we get our learners license at 16 and in my state we have to have 120 hours of experience driving with an adult and turn 18 before we are able to drive. We then have a 0 blood alcohol tolerance until we turn 21 where it is .05. We also have different laws about catching drink drivers where we have random breath tests. They block off the road with a 'booze bus' and everyone that comes along the road is tested.

We do still have drink drivers, but it is a small minority that do it and when they do it is usual below .08 which is your legal limit. It is very uncommon for 18-21 to have more than one beer and drive because a) It's dangerous and b) the likelihood of being caught is huge. We also have very graphic drink driving and speeding adverts that are played in all schools and on tv.
Aug 16 2012 11:21PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)