"Debate on lower drinking age bubbling up"
MSNBC: Over the strong objection of federal safety officials, a quiet movement to lower the legal drinking age to 18 is taking root as advocates argue that teenagers who are allowed to vote and fight for their country should also be able to enjoy a beer or two. The proposal, which is the subject of a national petition drive by the National Youth Rights Association, has been studied in a handful of states in recent years, including Florida, Wisconsin, Vermont and Missouri, where supporters are pushing a ballot initiative.
Mark Rosenker, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, says: "Why would we repeal or weaken laws that save lives? It doesn't make sense." Let me just say from the start, I am skeptical of a group called "National Youth Rights Association;" I wonder if they are pro-youth rights on things like being charged as an adult in court when you are under 18 - probably not - only for things like drinking underage). ANYWAYS, this is a tough one, but I lean towards keeping the drinking age at 21. I would think that the lives saved by keeping some drunk 18 year old off the road outweighs the same 18 year old getting wasted and staying at his friend's house (or maybe they are still driving, who knows). Plus, younger drivers tend to be more careless, showing off, not wearing seatbelts to be cool, etc., after drinking. You all know that is true, we all have been there.
"Raising the drinking age to 21 was passed with the very best of intentions, but it's had the very worst of outcomes," said David J. Hanson, an alcohol policy expert at the State University of New York-Potsdam. "Just like during national Prohibition, the law has pushed and forced underage drinking and youthful drinking underground, where we have no control over it." Yes, by making the drinking age 21, you are supposedly driving those between the ages of 18-21 underground to do their drinking. For the most part that is true. I don't really buy the argument of "if you can go to war or vote you should be able to drink." Okay, well if you are in the military, then yes, you should be able to drink. But because you can vote, you should automatically be able to drink? I don't see the connection there. I know a lot of 18 year olds that shouldn't be allowed near a polling place.
I guess for me it comes down to the pros and cons of each argument, and I think the keeping the legal age at 21 argument is more persuasive. I felt this way when I was under 21 as well, though I did not have a blog to document it, so you will have to take my word on it. I also wanted to do this story because any story that contains the phrase "binge drinking" catches my eye.
What do you think.....I have heard compelling arguments from friends and others both ways in the past.
MSNBC: Over the strong objection of federal safety officials, a quiet movement to lower the legal drinking age to 18 is taking root as advocates argue that teenagers who are allowed to vote and fight for their country should also be able to enjoy a beer or two. The proposal, which is the subject of a national petition drive by the National Youth Rights Association, has been studied in a handful of states in recent years, including Florida, Wisconsin, Vermont and Missouri, where supporters are pushing a ballot initiative.
Mark Rosenker, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, says: "Why would we repeal or weaken laws that save lives? It doesn't make sense." Let me just say from the start, I am skeptical of a group called "National Youth Rights Association;" I wonder if they are pro-youth rights on things like being charged as an adult in court when you are under 18 - probably not - only for things like drinking underage). ANYWAYS, this is a tough one, but I lean towards keeping the drinking age at 21. I would think that the lives saved by keeping some drunk 18 year old off the road outweighs the same 18 year old getting wasted and staying at his friend's house (or maybe they are still driving, who knows). Plus, younger drivers tend to be more careless, showing off, not wearing seatbelts to be cool, etc., after drinking. You all know that is true, we all have been there."Raising the drinking age to 21 was passed with the very best of intentions, but it's had the very worst of outcomes," said David J. Hanson, an alcohol policy expert at the State University of New York-Potsdam. "Just like during national Prohibition, the law has pushed and forced underage drinking and youthful drinking underground, where we have no control over it." Yes, by making the drinking age 21, you are supposedly driving those between the ages of 18-21 underground to do their drinking. For the most part that is true. I don't really buy the argument of "if you can go to war or vote you should be able to drink." Okay, well if you are in the military, then yes, you should be able to drink. But because you can vote, you should automatically be able to drink? I don't see the connection there. I know a lot of 18 year olds that shouldn't be allowed near a polling place.
I guess for me it comes down to the pros and cons of each argument, and I think the keeping the legal age at 21 argument is more persuasive. I felt this way when I was under 21 as well, though I did not have a blog to document it, so you will have to take my word on it. I also wanted to do this story because any story that contains the phrase "binge drinking" catches my eye.
What do you think.....I have heard compelling arguments from friends and others both ways in the past.
posted by Ben at
8/15/2007 02:00:00 AM
9 Comments:
It's tough to say. I've read that in European countries with a lower drinking age (if it's even really enforced), there are fewer deaths as a result of drunken driving than in the States. However, I think that may be a result of better public transportation. I think in the same article I read that more Europeans suffer from alcoholism, though. It's been awhile since I've read about it, so don't quote me on it.
I think the sale of .32 beer to kids between 18-21 might make more sense than allowing them to buy other beers with a higher alcohol content or liquor.
-dhminich
The problem for the National Youth Rights Association is that the American people overwhelmingly support keeping the drinking age 21. Here is one poll from last month that has 77% opposed to lowering the age.
Personally, I'd vote for keeping it at 21 just because I don't see a reason to change.
Good find on the story.
I would absolutely lower the drinking age - I would actually eliminate the ban. The prohibition makes it more taboo. I think this clearly leads to greater binge drinking. If the age was lowered, kids would learn greater responsibility.
And every kid drinks if they want to, so what is the point in the law. I have already contemplated how tough a decision it will be if I have a kid that goes to Prom. What do I do? a) let them drink at my house and risk myself to jail, or b) let them drink somewhere else and cross my fingers. It puts parents in a very unfair situation.
And right now DUI laws have gotten so tough, they should serve as a sufficient deterrent to avoid DUI. Back when the age was changed, the DUI laws were jokes. Cops would not enforce them, and even if they did, they were not very tough. Now we should be able to rely on enforcement of our current laws.
And I do buy the 'if you can go to iraq and die' theory. But I will not preach on how crazy it is to not see that imbalance.
I do agree with the fact that if I am allowed to go take a bullet in the head, meanwhile killing others, beer is not even an issue. It's not like people don't drink or get DUI's before they're 21. Also, let college students get it out of their system when they first enroll and they still have freshman forgiveness to bail them out. This also keeps students from paying fines, going to jail for sneaking into bars and parties, and police can focus on actual crimes.
I know people will argue there will be more crime because 18 year olds will be drunk and disorderly, but as it is now, if those 18 year olds want to get drunk they do. I know being underage was more of an inconveinece than an obstacle when I was underage. I still did quite a bit of drinking.
KIds don't pay attention to the 18 limit rating why would they be bothered about a 21 age limt? It's just a number and they will still get their hands on beer so long as there are people willing to sell it and buy for minors.
Good points all.....like I said I think you can make a great argument no matter what side you are on here.
tough question: the only correct answer is if you drink responsibly.
Having said that I didnt at 18,21 30 or 50.
I remember voting down the raising of the drinking age to 21 in Ohio. Unfortunately, the state ignored the will of the people and raised the drinking age to 21 when the feds threatened to withhold highway funds from states that didn't raise the drinking age.
Reagan's new federalism sort of fell flat on this issue
AT the very least, it ought to be lowered for those who enlist in the armed forces and police/firefighters. If you're willing to risk your life for the public good, it's absurd to say you're too young to drink a beer.
Totally agree with what Chuck said above.
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