Lower Drinking Age? Options

[cnelson]

Not sure if this has already been brought up or not.. However I am bored, and have always thought that this was a good topic to debate on.


Recently I started my freshmen year at college. I'm going to Coastal Carolina University, if anyone lives around the Myrtle Beach area you probably know that nearly are whole football team was suspended due to alcohol related incidents. I have been a "legal" adult for over a year now. I just turned 19 a couple weeks ago. Being away at school my parents and myself both knew I was going to drink. I guess my family is very open and my parents trust me enough not to make any decisions to put myself or others at risk. I have been drinking probably since I was about 16.. Always socially, not by myself or anything like that. So lets say I am.. "Drinking Responsibly"

Now I, more than most probably understand the need for laws. I also understand the need for equality. Although I know no one can ever truly win this argument I believe that I have some good points that I would like to get off my chest..

We can start off with a few simple points. The whole.. "If I'm old enough to die for my country, be convicted for a crime, pay child support etc.. at 18, than why am I not old enough to drink?" This is probably the most influential point anyone can make.. Look if I can go fight a war, but I can't drink a damn beer. Someone has there facts mixed up, because last time I checked fighting a war is much more dangerous than drinking a beer, or even a few beers for that matter.

I know a lot of people think that teenagers are not responsible enough to drink, and do it with a adult manner. WRONG. A lot of people also think that teenagers don't care about drinking and driving. WRONG. The fact of the matter is, I am right in the crowd with these very people.. Of all the things I always see, the one I see most is.. Friends not letting another friend drive home because he's had to much to drink, or giving someone a ride home because you know there is no way you would want them to drive, or someone asking for a ride home because they know there is no way they should be driving.

My final point is simply this.. People are going to drink and drive at any age, 21, 31, 41, 51, 91. It doesn't make a difference. The only thing that makes a difference is if we are properly educated about the risks with drinking and drive. My message is, Stop throwing the issue under the table by saying teens aren't responsible enough. Start by educating people, teaching them that you can drink and still maintain a right state of mind.

I know there will always be people who disagree, and I'm sure there will be many people who do not like my comments, and people who agree with me. I would like to make a change, and although I am only one young person.. We are growing in numbers everyday. Right now politicians may be able to ignore us because we aren't the majority vote, However soon enough our voice will be heard and questions will not be able to be thrown away. One day we will have a common voice as young people, who can make a difference on any situation, not just the drinking age. Thanks for any comments you may have.

This post has been edited by cnelson: Dec 15, 2008 - 4:07 PM

[Supersprynt]

To put it another way - when does the law being age 21 STOP you from drinking? Has anybody ever said "no thanks that's illegal"? Hell when I went to Oneonta for college orientation I was 17 years old. Look at my pics that I posted, I don't look 26, I barely look 21; so imagine me at 17. We had people waving us into bars. I was drinking in a bar at 17 years old and I was invited in.

I was drinking at 16 at an after-dance party with the girls parents there because they knew it was going to happen and wanted to prevent drunken driving.

You can carry a gun at 18 years old, a GUN... please tell me where the logic behind this all is.

This post has been edited by Supersprynt: Dec 15, 2008 - 5:22 PM

[GriffGirl]

To put it another way - when does the law being age 21 STOP you from drinking? Has anybody ever said "no thanks that's illegal"? Hell when I went to Oneonta for college orientation I was 17 years old. Look at my pics that I posted, I don't look 26, I barely look 21; so imagine me at 17. We had people waving us into bars. I was drinking in a bar at 17 years old and I was invited in.

I was drinking at 16 at an after-dance party with the girls parents there because they knew it was going to happen and wanted to prevent drunken driving.

You can carry a gun at 18 years old, a GUN... please tell me where the logic behind this all is.

I've been that parent myself—for exactly that reason. Not to necessarily condone it, but knowing it was going to happen anyway, I'd rather be there to make sure no one drives off than turn a blind eye to it and hope for the best. I also was young when I started going to bars. By the time I started actually going to bars and clubs, I'd moved to NYC and I was getting in at 16 easily without ever being carded.

As for the logic behind the gun... well, you can legally carry a gun at 18 but at least you can't legally get drunk while carrying that gun (I'm being facetious) You're right though, there's not a lot of logic in it. But alcohol isn't a right protected by the constitution while carrying a gun is, so I guess that's how that one stacks up.