Quote:
Originally posted by chicagoagd
Would you allow your child to drive a car without first teaching her how to drive? The drinking age needs to be lowered in order for parents to take responsibility for teaching their kids how to drink.
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Such a good point! Think about it...if a kid who's never been exposed to alcohol before (binge drinking is not as prevalent in high school) goes off to college and doesn't even have an interest in drinking, there's a chance they'll want to try it out, anyway. The first time they drink they're surrounded by other kids who drink past their limits and then they think it's normal and they should learn to do it. If they've had some access to alcohol while they're still living at home, they might be better off.
At least with 18-year-olds some are still in high school, so if they come home trashed their parents will know about it and will be able to address the situation. I started drinking my senior year but never came home drunk...I knew when to stop. Now in college when I'm around new people in different situations, I know how much will make me buzzed or totally wrecked. There are so many new things to deal with when you first go off to college...experimenting with alcohol is too risky for overwhelmed kids.
Plus when you turn 21, I don't think many parents bring up the subject with their kids anymore, b/c by that time the kids are sophomores or juniors and they've probably already had the "It's my life, I've been away from home, I'm an adult now" talk.
18 would be a good age.
ps: I'm trying to remember what the statistics are about alcohol related deaths and accidents since the drinking age was raised. I'm pretty sure they told us at the mandatory programming the Greek community had at my school last fall. I'll check it out.
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