College Presidents Seek to Lower Drinking Age

[agzg]

I can see both sides of the argument. I'd like to point out, however, that I had friends who were 18 year old binge drinkers and friends that were 24 year old binge drinkers. Plus, even if it's legal, college freshmen may still binge drink at a higher rate than others because it's their first time away from home.

I'd have to agree with the whole culture shift point. Unfortunately, even if every family started it now it'd still be about 20 years before we saw actual results. Plus, if you look at other social parameters we have - some change quickly, others take longer than normal.

Plus, no matter the age there are always going to be people that abuse the substance. Controlled substances are illegal for everyone and I bet most of us could name at least one person who abuses controlled substances, either someone that we know personally or someone that one of our friends or family knows personally.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

Plus, no matter the age there are always going to be people that abuse the substance.

Exactly. So why apply an unrealistic and arbitrary age that doesn't fall in line w/ the other age limitations in the country to it?

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Exactly. So why apply an unrealistic and arbitrary age that doesn't fall in line w/ the other age limitations in the country to it?

Because no matter what age you set as the legal age to do anything, you will have people/kids several years younger trying and succeeding in doing it.

Now the legal age is 21, yet lots of 18 year old are getting into clubs and drinking, buying alcohol, etc. You lower the legal age to 18, and you have 15 year olds being able to pass for 18.

Granted, anyone who really wants to drink will probably not have a problem getting it, but why make it easier for children - and yes, a 15 yo is still a child - to get their hands on alcohol?

I admit that there is no right answer, and it might be a moot point, but even if the law sets an arbitrary age, I think that people feel better knowing that it's much harder for a 15 year old to get alcohol than an 18 year old.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Because no matter what age you set as the legal age to do anything, you will have people/kids several years younger trying and succeeding in doing it.

Now the legal age is 21, yet lots of 18 year old are getting into clubs and drinking, buying alcohol, etc. You lower the legal age to 18, and you have 15 year olds being able to pass for 18.

Granted, anyone who really wants to drink will probably not have a problem getting it, but why make it easier for children - and yes, a 15 yo is still a child - to get their hands on alcohol?

I admit that there is no right answer, and it might be a moot point, but even if the law sets an arbitrary age, I think that people feel better knowing that it's much harder for a 15 year old to get alcohol than an 18 year old.

This isn't about what makes people "feel better." It's about laws that actually work. And lots of 15 year olds are getting into clubs right now, even with the increased age.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by 33girl

This isn't about what makes people "feel better." It's about laws that actually work. And lots of 15 year olds are getting into clubs right now, even with the increased age.

Great in theory, but I think that many people vote based on their emotions, though. I'd be hard pressed to find more than a handful of people understand the laws (any law), how they came to fruition, and who supported them.

Look at the presidential election campaigns. Ask ten people who they are voting for and why, and I'll bet that most of them will give answers like "he's too old", "he's too inexperienced", "he has miliatary experience and that makes me feel safe", "it's time for a black president", "women are too emotional to be president", etc.

[SWTXBelle]

I remember when the drinking age in Texas was 19. No, we didn't have bands of 15 year olds running around from happy hour to happy hour. As an 18 year old I remember vividly not being able to even get into clubs, never mind buy a drink. Could I get alcohol? Probably - but I wasn't all that motiviated, I guess. And, I was legal my freshman year - so it wasn't that long of a wait.

With today's harder to duplicate ids, and proper enforcement, there is no reason that lowering the drinking age to 19 (or 18) has to mean younger teens getting into any more trouble than they already do. Also, the penalties for MIPs and DUIs are stiffer now (at least here) then they were "back in the day".

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

With today's harder to duplicate ids, and proper enforcement, there is no reason that lowering the drinking age to 19 (or 18) has to mean younger teens getting into any more trouble than they already do. Also, the penalties for MIPs and DUIs are stiffer now (at least here) then they were "back in the day".

I wouldn't be sure about that. I know people with fake ideas that look just like the real ones. The ones I saw didn't glow under a blacklight, which meant it was no good for clubs. But it still worked plenty well for bars and liquor stores.