Rethink Drinking Age, Many University Presidents Say

[jaguarr]

Saw this article and figured it would make for a spirited debate:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/2...ng_age__many_U_S__college_presidents_say.html

Posted on Tue, Aug. 19, 2008


Rethink drinking age, many U.S. college presidents say

By Peter Mucha
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Scores of U.S. college and university presidents have stepped forward to declare it's time to rethink the drinking age.Mothers Against Drunk Driving, though, quickly denounced the idea as irresponsible and dangerous.
MADD's national president, Laura Dean-Mooney, even suggested, "Parents should think twice before sending their teens to these colleges or any others that have waved the white flag on underage and binge drinking policies."
Peyton R. Helm, president of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, called that response "absurd."
"What this movement calls for is a national discussion," he said. "It doesn't recommend a policy."
He was one of 104 college and university presidents who signed a statement that criticizes the drinking-age laws as fostering a culture of "dangerous, clandestine binge-drinking" in which "students make ethical compromises that erode respect for the law."
The age restriction dates to 1984, when a federal law mandated a 10 percent cut in highway funds for any state allowing those under 21 to purchase or publicly consume alcohol.
These educational leaders represent a broad spectrum of institutions all over the country, including such prestigious schools as Duke, Dartmouth, Tufts and Smith, and a variety of schools in Eastern Pennsylvania, including St. Joseph's, Widener, Arcadia, Colgate, Lafayette, Elizabethtown and Dickinson.
In New Jersey, only Drew University was on the initial list of backers.
Support for a national debate was rallied by a group called the Amethyst Initiative, which was started by John McCardell, former president of Vermont's Middlebury College.
"This is a law that is routinely evaded," he said. "It is a law that the people at whom it is directed believe is unjust and unfair and discriminatory."
Gavin McGirr, 19, a sophomore at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, agreed.
"If kids are able to handle themselves responsibly, then why not?" he said of lowering the drinking age. "I know all over the world it is like 18, some places 16, in Canada it's 19. I always thought 21 was a weird number. At 18, you're old enough to join the Army and die but you can't drink a beer."
Muhlenberg's Helm said all the pros and cons should be reexamined.
For example, one could argue that the current cutoff is bad policy because "it drives alcohol use underground where it can't be observed, it can't be controlled. ... I think you increase the number who are drinking in secret, and driving off campus to drink."
MADD's Dean-Mooney strongly disagrees.
"As the mother of a daughter who is close to entering college, it is deeply disappointing to me that many of our educational leaders would support an initiative without doing their homework on the underlying research and science," she said.
Almost all careful studies have shown that U.S. drunk-driving deaths dropped after the drinking age was raised to 21, according to MADD.
Some college administrators declined to sign.
"I remember college campuses when we had 18-year-old drinking ages, and I honestly believe we've made some progress," said University of Miami President Donna Shalala, former secretary of health and human services. "To just shift it back down to the high schools makes no sense at all."
St. Joe's junior Willy Hendrick, 21, said he was against lowering the drinking age. "Even with myself, I've seen maturity since I was 18," he said, adding, "We would see more drinking and driving."
The name for the Amethyst Initiative was inspired by a bit of history, according to its website, www.amethystinitiative.org. Amethyst comes from Greek words meaning "not intoxicated" and the gem amethyst was once thought capable of counteracting the effect of alcohol.

So, what do you all think? Yay? Nay? Let's hear your reasons why you think the drinking age should be lowered or kept where it's at (or any other idea you might have on the topic of alcohol consumption age limit reform).


jag

 

[SuBe]

I think that the Legal Drinking age should be at 18 and the Legal Driving age should be 18.

 

[The Senator]

I am a bit mixed on this. On the one hand, I think that once someone reaches the age of eighteen, they become an adult, and should be able to make adult choices. They can vote, drive a car, buy pornography, enlist in the army-- they might as well be able to drink. I also agree with the University professors on this: Kids these days are going to drink no matter what. They are going to get their older friends to buy alcohol for them (I've done it), they're more likely to purchase a fake ID and get smashed at a bar, and ultimately they're going to find alcohol one way or another.

On the other hand, I'm not entirely sure the drinking age should be lowered. Alcohol is one of the more dangerous substances out there, if used in excess. And kids within the 18-20 year range tend to drink in excess and tend to do incredibly stupid things, whether its as small as pissing on someone's front porch or as big as getting behind the wheel of a car. If alcohol is available to them upfront, then there's no limit on what they can buy, they don't have to worry about keeping their alcohol consumption on the 'DL,' so they basically can get smashed to whatever extent they want to without the law hovering above their heads. I think that between the ages of 16-21, people wise up, and they become fully mature. I'm just not sure your average college student/ post-high school graduate is mature enough to handle legalized drinking.

BUT... I tend to lean more in favor of lowering the drinking age, only because kids are going to drink regardless of the laws on the books...

 

[terry78]

Honestly, it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario, because there are brats of many ages that are able to handle liquor and just as many that aren't, so you're giving freedom to some of the good ones, but just opening a door for more **** up-ery to the rest of them. I won't lie, I was of those kids that used to be all, "why won't you trust me, give me more freedom" and then the next day I proved them wrong, sadly.

 

[StorminNorman]

I think that the Legal Drinking age should be at 18 and the Legal Driving age should be 18.

I think being able to drive the very day you can drink is a horrid idea.

 

[Spider-Bite]

many kids at the age of 18 drink already, because within friend circles not everybody is the exact same age. Whatever the drinking age is, we will have people drinking heavily approximately two years younger than the designated age. If we lower the drinking age to 18, than we will see a huge increase in people drinking at age 16.

Not to mention, these responsiblities and freedoms should be given to a person in incraments, rather than have them go from nothing to everything all at once. We give them the right to drive at 16, the right to smoke, vote, move out of their parents, join the force, and buy porn. They can decide to go somewhere for a week, even if their parents disagree without the threat of having police arrest them for being a run away.

Thats a lot all at once right there. Best to let them adjust to that, first before we throw the right to buy alcohol into the mix.

 

[Spider-Bite]

I think being able to drive the very day you can drink is a horrid idea.

Very true. Too much freedom and excitement all at once. You can finally drive withotu needing a ride from your parents, and now you can finally drink too? the first thing they do is drive out of parents sight and get drunk, without any experience in either.

 

[The Senator]

many kids at the age of 18 drink already, because within friend circles not everybody is the exact same age. Whatever the drinking age is, we will have people drinking heavily approximately two years younger than the designated age. If we lower the drinking age to 18, than we will see a huge increase in people drinking at age 16.

Not to mention, these responsiblities and freedoms should be given to a person in incraments, rather than have them go from nothing to everything all at once. We give them the right to drive at 16, the right to smoke, vote, move out of their parents, join the force, and buy porn. They can decide to go somewhere for a week, even if their parents disagree without the threat of having police arrest them for being a run away.

Thats a lot all at once right there. Best to let them adjust to that, first before we throw the right to buy alcohol into the mix.

But kids already drink at the age of 16. In fact, I knew kids in high school who were drinking at age 14. I highly doubt there will be a massive influx in alcoholic teenagers, simply because the drinking age is lowered. They're already getting alcohol at a young age, I doubt the rate at which they get it would change.

Also, many people can handle all those responsibilities at once. I didn't get my license until I was 17, and three months later I was able to smoke, buy porn, vote, etc.. and I didn't have any problem juggling all those. In fact, I didn't exercise my rights to vote or buy porn until I was almost 19, I didn't start smoking until I was 20... not everyone out there is going to start all these 'adult' habits the second after they turn 18...

 

[Spider-Bite]

But kids already drink at the age of 16. In fact, I knew kids in high school who were drinking at age 14. I highly doubt there will be a massive influx in alcoholic teenagers, simply because the drinking age is lowered. They're already getting alcohol at a young age, I doubt the rate at which they get it would change.

There are not nearly as many 16 year olds getting drunk as there are 20 year olds. I haven't read the number, but I'd be shocked if it was even half as high. People need an older friend or sibling to get them alchohol. Most 21 year olds or 22, or 23 are not going to buy alcohol for a 14 year old, and would only buy it rarely on occasion for a 16 year old brother or sister. I'm not saying all of them, but enough of them, that it matters.

If your 19 you probably have a friend who is 21 that you see often enough that you can get it quite easily, where if your only 16, then most of your friends are going to be around age 15 to 17. If your 16, you will probably have a friend or two that is 18.

You also have to consider that while in junior high or high school, whatever talk you hear about students doing drugs or drinking, has to be taken with a grain of salt. A 14 year old gets one tiny sip of beer, and the next day he tells everybody at school how he got wasted, because he thinks it will make em look cool. I think most people underestimate how much other people exagerate to make themselves look cool.

Also, many people can handle all those responsibilities at once. I didn't get my license until I was 17, and three months later I was able to smoke, buy porn, vote, etc.. and I didn't have any problem juggling all those. In fact, I didn't exercise my rights to vote or buy porn until I was almost 19, I didn't start smoking until I was 20... not everyone out there is going to start all these 'adult' habits the second after they turn 18...

Notice all of this happened while the drinking age was 21. If you did have the right to buy alchohol three months after getting your license, you might not be here to argue with me today. You might be dead.

I'm surprised you started smoking at age 20. Most people start when they are much younger. But one might use that as evidence against your argument, might they not? You were given all that freedom all at once, and you made a choice that will cut years off your life, and there is like a 99.99999999999999999999999999% chance that in three or four years your gonna regret the hell out of it.

In addition a larger number of kids will become part of the bar scene. That will have a very negative impact on how they grow up, and increase the liklihood that they will drive somewhere after they get drunk, because they are going to have to leave the bar eventually.

 

[The Senator]

There are not nearly as many 16 year olds getting drunk as there are 20 year olds. I haven't read the number, but I'd be shocked if it was even half as high. People need an older friend or sibling to get them alchohol. Most 21 year olds or 22, or 23 are not going to buy alcohol for a 14 year old, and would only buy it rarely on occasion for a 16 year old brother or sister. I'm not saying all of them, but enough of them, that it matters.

If your 19 you probably have a friend who is 21 that you see often enough that you can get it quite easily, where if your only 16, then most of your friends are going to be around age 15 to 17.

You also have to consider that while in junior high or high school, whatever talk you hear about students doing drugs or drinking, has to be taken with a grain of salt. A 14 year old gets one tiny sip of beer, and the next day he tells everybody at school how he got wasted, because he thinks it will make em look cool. I think most people underestimate how much other people exagerate to make themselves look cool.

No, these people got ****-faced drunk, I was there to witness it back when I was a part of the "cool" crowd.

Notice all of this happened while the drinking age was 21. If you did have the right to buy alchohol three months after getting your license, you might not be here to argue with me today. You might be dead.

No, I don't think so.

Because I don't drink, often. History of alcoholism in the family means I should really watch myself. And, I'm also intelligent enough to not throw myself behind the wheel of a car when I do end up wasted or borderline drunk.

The first time I was ever drunk was during my freshman year of college. The most harm I did was introduce myself as Richard Nixon, and fall out of bed.

I'm surprised you started smoking at age 20. Most people start when they are much younger. But one might use that as evidence against your argument, might they not? You were given all that freedom all at once, and you made a choice that will cut years off your life, and there is like a 99.99999999999999999999999999% chance that in three or four years your gonna regret the hell out of it.

I smoke four, maybe five cigarettes a day... I live in a non-smoking building and I'm usually busy enough as to where I don't feel the need to smoke...

What I regret, is up to me. And if I regret it, in three or four years, uh, I'll let you know. But if I was going to be a heavy smoker, wouldn't you think that after a year or so of smoking I would have jumped ship and started smoking a pack a day? I've never gone over six cigarettes in a 24 hour period...

In addition a larger number of kids will become part of the bar scene. That will have a very negative impact on how they grow up, and increase the liklihood that they will drive somewhere after they get drunk, because they are going to have to leave the bar eventually.

How often do you go to a bar? Because every time I enter a bar (well, I guess the type of bars I enter are a bit different ), I often see kids in their late teens there. Kids who are obviously below the drinking age. You do know, right, that most cities allow kids over the age of 18 into their bars? They're not allowed to order alcohol (or so they say), but they still let the kids in, which gives them a chance to get someone else to buy them a drink. Most bartenders, at least in DC, don't give two ****s about obeying the law on a busy Friday night... so they'll let someone serve as an alcohol proxy for a minor, because technically these bartenders aren't serving the alcohol directly to these kids... plus, its money, and money talks on a busy night, especially here... so I'm not really sure you have a point...



*rolling eye GIF stolen once again from Wilhelm for dramatic effect.

 

[Spider-Bite]

No, these people got ****-faced drunk, I was there to witness it back when I was a part of the "cool" crowd.

Well I never said it never happened, but it's definitely not the norm.

No, I don't think so.

Because I don't drink, often. History of alcoholism in the family means I should really watch myself. And, I'm also intelligent enough to not throw myself behind the wheel of a car when I do end up wasted or borderline drunk.

That is fortunate for you, however most people in your situation are much more likely to be achoholics. And had the law been 18, it might have had a different effect on you.

I smoke four, maybe five cigarettes a day... I live in a non-smoking building and I'm usually busy enough as to where I don't feel the need to smoke...

I wouldn't laugh just yet. Most smokers started out just like you.

What I regret, is up to me. And if I regret it, in three or four years, uh, I'll let you know. But if I was going to be a heavy smoker, wouldn't you think that after a year or so of smoking I would have jumped ship and started smoking a pack a day? I've never gone over six cigarettes in a 24 hour period...

what you regret is up to you. I've almost made my share of mistakes, and I also smoke. I've been smoking for nine years. I actually have no deisre to quit smoking, however that makes me a minority. Seriously there is a 99% chance you will regret it. And the whole point of this discussion is to weight the effects the law will have on the lives of citizens. we can't just dismiss it as "What I regret is up to me" The whole point of this discussion is the effect the law will have on children turning into adults. Children need guidance, and yes anything under the age of 22 is a child, maybe not legally, but mentally.

How often do you go to a bar?

I hate the bar. It's full of boring idiots. The bar isn't going to be full of people like me or you that sit around talking about politics.

Plus I have an anxiety disorder. That might have something to do with why I don't like going to the bar.

Because every time I enter a bar (well, I guess the type of bars I enter are a bit different ), I often see kids in their late teens there. Kids who are obviously below the drinking age. You do know, right, that most cities allow kids over the age of 18 into their bars? They're not allowed to order alcohol (or so they say), but they still let the kids in, which gives them a chance to get someone else to buy them a drink. Most bartenders, at least in DC, don't give two ****s about obeying the law on a busy Friday night... so they'll let someone serve as an alcohol proxy for a minor, because technically these bartenders aren't serving the alcohol directly to these kids... plus, its money, and money talks on a busy night, especially here... so I'm not really sure you have a point...

I can't speak for the country, but most bars I've known of, and I do live in Wisconsin the bar state, and in my home city, there is literally hundreds of bars, and I've called most of them. When I was 18 I wanted to go somewhere and do kareoke. I called almost every single bar, and every single one of them said you had to be 21 in order to enter without a parent or guardian as a matter of policy, even though the law was 18.

I don't think the scene you are portraying of the bar is representative of the bar scene that exists in America. I dont' believe that bars are full of young teenagers. In fact I believe they are full of people in their late 20's and above.

Even though I don't like to go to the bar, I have been in a bar about 50 or 60 times. I think you might be seeing people who are 21, and many of them might look younger. but a bar tender is going to take some efforts to prevent younger people from drinking in their bar. I gurantee that the vast majority of bars, will watch and keep an eye out, to prevent kids from drinking in their bar, or it might be only certain kids.

Or it might be a kid there with their parent, which is legal.

 

[sithgoblin]

The drinking age in Australia is 18 and we don't have any major problems. Once you're an adult, you should be able to do everything adults are entitled to do.

Nearly all teenagers drink as it is. When I was in high school, my entire year pretty much started experimenting with alcohol when we were 16. When we turned 18 and could start drinking, the world didn't explode. We'd been doing it for years, we already knew its effects and actually were more responsible drinkers because of it.

Also, because we started experimenting younger, we were still under the care of our parents if anything went wrong, rather than being on our own in a college environment.

Most people will get exsessively drunk at least a few times when they first start drinking. Learning to drink in moderation is something that must be learned by experience. So what's better - getting wasted for the first time when you're at college or getting wasted for the first time when you're with your family?

Also, for the record, in Germany the drinking age is 16.

 

[The Senator]

Well I never said it never happened, but it's definitely not the norm.

And, you know this how....?

That is fortunate for you, however most people in your situation are much more likely to be achoholics. And had the law been 18, it might have had a different effect on you.

Um, I don't think so, considering I started drinking when I was 18.

I've always had judgment on my side, I've always been able to look at a situation and think, "gee, if I do ____, what will the consequences be?"

I really had no desire to drink in high school, and I especially had no desire to screw up any future I might have had. And, when you consider that I knew people who had easy access to alcohol, and didn't drink, I doubt the situation would have been different had the drinking age been lowered.

See, I had the fortunate experience of growing up with an alcoholic mother, who managed to get her self **** faced every night of the week. I knew what alcohol did to people, if they used it in excess, and I wasn't going to let myself stoop to their level. I wasn't going to come home after a night of heavy drinking, only to stumble over an object I never should have walked into in the first place. I wasn't going to let myself say or do thinks which would jeopardize my standing in the world. And I know many, many people who were just like that, who waited a while before they started drinking, who only began drinking when they were in college because 'everyone was doing it'... and even then, they haven't let themselves dive into alcoholism.

So, once again, your vague generalizations of an entire group of people are just that: generalizations. Just as misinformed as ever.

I wouldn't laugh just yet. Most smokers started out just like you.

Wow, excellent, except that when you consider that I've been under stress for three years, juggling 15-18 credits per semester, infinite papers, internships and a part-time job, the window for becoming a "hardcore" smoker has already been open and I haven't allowed myself to climb through it. And considering my load is different this semester, I don't have a need to smoke constantly, in fact I've already started cutting back (three today) and the semester hasn't even begun.

what you regret is up to you. I've almost made my share of mistakes, and I also smoke. I've been smoking for nine years. I actually have no deisre to quit smoking, however that makes me a minority. Seriously there is a 99% chance you will regret it. And the whole point of this discussion is to weight the effects the law will have on the lives of citizens. we can't just dismiss it as "What I regret is up to me" The whole point of this discussion is the effect the law will have on children turning into adults. Children need guidance, and yes anything under the age of 22 is a child, maybe not legally, but mentally.

Again:

You are acting as if your habits are the same as mine, as if everyone in the world is bound to follow the same track as you did because you started smoking. I haven't allowed myself to become addicted yet; I've gone days without cigarettes, I've never "craved" a cigarette in the year and a half I've been smoking... in fact, whenever I decide to smoke a cigarette I usually say "hey, I'm bored, maybe I'll wander outside on the terrace and smoke one."

As for your claim about "anyone under 22 is a child"... that's laughable, really. I'm more of an adult than some of the forty year olds I know, at age 21. I've been through a hell of a lot of crap in my life which made me wise up when I was younger, I've never let myself dive so deep into naivety that I've merited being called a "child." Again, your "expert" opinion on the matter is something I have to disagree with, because I've known similar people (in fact I'd say every one of my friends in this age range act and think like adults) who have never stooped so low that I'd say they have the "mentality of a child."

Yeah, people in this age range screw up all the time. But you know what? Most of them will learn from their mistakes. Most of them, like I did, will realize that getting drunk four nights in a row isn't a smart move. They'll wise up, they'll understand that what they're doing is harming them... most of them will, at least. All of that is a part of becoming an adult, and capable of making their own decisions. You can't tie a leash around these people forever, and expect them to magically start making well-informed choices the day they turn 21 (or 22, as you like to say). This age range, the "undergraduate" age, is the time when people mature the most.

I hate the bar. It's full of boring idiots. The bar isn't going to be full of people like me or you that sit around talking about politics.

You obviously don't go to the same bars I go to. Then again, I take it you're probably not into twinks and dykes, so I wouldn't expect you to go there.

Plus I have an anxiety disorder. That might have something to do with why I don't like going to the bar.

I have an anxiety disorder as well, that never stopped me from fitting in.

I can't speak for the country, but most bars I've known of, and I do live in Wisconsin the bar state, and in my home city, there is literally hundreds of bars, and I've called most of them. When I was 18 I wanted to go somewhere and do kareoke. I called almost every single bar, and every single one of them said you had to be 21 in order to enter without a parent or guardian as a matter of policy, even though the law was 18.

Maybe the laws are different here on the nation's Left Coast.

I don't think the scene you are portraying of the bar is representative of the bar scene that exists in America. I dont' believe that bars are full of young teenagers. In fact I believe they are full of people in their late 20's and above.

Again, you've obviously not been in a big city, there's never been a night that I've been at a bar here without seeing a massive crowd of 18-20 year olds (well, scratch that-- last week, I went to a bar, but there weren't that many college kids there because most of them hadn't moved back for the semester).

Even though I don't like to go to the bar, I have been in a bar about 50 or 60 times. I think you might be seeing people who are 21, and many of them might look younger. but a bar tender is going to take some efforts to prevent younger people from drinking in their bar. I gurantee that the vast majority of bars, will watch and keep an eye out, to prevent kids from drinking in their bar, or it might be only certain kids.

No, a good chunk of them are 18-20. I recognize faces from campus, I even bring an entourage of my 18-20 year old friends with me.

Or it might be a kid there with their parent, which is legal.

My school isn't known for its localized student population, so I highly doubt that people had their parents come from NJ or PA just to take them to the bar.

 

[Lantern Venom]

I see no positives in lowering the drinking age. What will increase are road/accident fatalities, the college dropout rate and insurance premiums. Alcohol abuse is already a problem, taking the current parameters for an abusive group is faulty logic.

 

[The Senator]

I see no positives in lowering the drinking age. What will increase are road/accident fatalities, the college dropout rate and insurance premiums. Alcohol abuse is already a problem, taking the current parameters for an abusive group is faulty logic.

Why would the college drop out rate increase, when the majority of college students drink anyway? Even being on a "dry campus," I can only name less than a handful of people at my school, that I know, who haven't drank before. That seems to be the most illogical argument against lowering the drinking age I've ever heard. People who drop out of college do so because their grades suck, or their finances suck, or they don't want to be there anymore... not because they get drunk every so often...

 

[sithgoblin]

Some people are just sheltered.

 

[souvlaki]

I see no positives in lowering the drinking age. What will increase are road/accident fatalities, the college dropout rate and insurance premiums. Alcohol abuse is already a problem, taking the current parameters for an abusive group is faulty logic.

Did you go to college? Lowering the drinking age would have have absolutely no effect on college drop out rates, or the number of college students drinking for that matter.

 

[Excel]

I dunno how it was in yalls places but where I lived as a teenager, nobody really cared. Everybody partied with their parents home; they didnt care and nobodys ever heard of parents getting busted by cops. Hell, at grad parties in the summer, cops would be there WHILE we were drinking/showed up drunk; all they would do is ask if we drove. Also, to avoid post prom parties, we have a massive one in town, fenced in with cops present and we got bussed there so we wouldnt have to drive, where drinking and sex were everywhere and nothing was ever done even with cops in earsight. The pitch to the town by the parents was based around the "controlled drinking with no driving" angle and they approved it

I guess I should note, my town was a small, affluent town in Massachusetts thats take itself and particularly its rep (thats its rich and everybodys better than you, theyre kids will be more successful than yours, ect.) that they noticably altered laws or just didnt really enforce them there if it meant it might damage it's rep. Its sad, but it is true. But my point is, we couldnt have been alone. I am sure a lot of other places have been enacting similar rules in recent years; I think its just a matter of time till it's down to 18.

 

[Tag279]

If a person can go to war at 18-years old then they should be able to drink IMO.

I see he pitfalls but most of the fatal car accidents that I have gone to are DUIs of 17 year olds.

Drinking is too much of a big deal to teen agers.

 

[MattBearPig]

You can die in a foreign land, but you can't do it drunk. I say lower it. I'm nearly 22 so it doesn't affect me.

 

[Lantern Venom]

Why would the college drop out rate increase, when the majority of college students drink anyway? Even being on a "dry campus," I can only name less than a handful of people at my school, that I know, who haven't drank before. That seems to be the most illogical argument against lowering the drinking age I've ever heard. People who drop out of college do so because their grades suck, or their finances suck, or they don't want to be there anymore... not because they get drunk every so often...

College can be an overwhelming transition for some. Add in legalized alcohol to an already-struggling 18 year old's life makes the situation more dire. I'm well aware that most kids who want to drink do so anyway but fear of getting arrested and/or disciplined by the school surely helps curb the behaviors in some cases.

Did you go to college? Lowering the drinking age would have have absolutely no effect on college drop out rates, or the number of college students drinking for that matter.

I went to a liberal arts school that had a reputation for being a party school. While there was plenty of alcohol being consumed by underage kids, the school rules ( especially for underage kids who got caught ) did make students wary of getting plastered on campus. I think it was necessary.
Underage drinking is no laughing matter. In an age where the public is behind anti-obesity and anti-smoking campaigns, it boggles my mind that we are considering taking the restraints of off something that can cause just as many health problems in a shorter amount of time. If more drinking is encouraged, more kids will develop health problems, have accidents and even die. Worse yet, innocent people will be harmed by these people since alcohol is an intoxicant that seriously hinders good judgment.
If the government/colleges want to stop alcohol abuse, they should set up programs that reward kids for sobriety not make college a free-for-all guzzlefest.

 

[Lantern Venom]

If a person can go to war at 18-years old then they should be able to drink IMO.

I see he pitfalls but most of the fatal car accidents that I have gone to are DUIs of 17 year olds.

Drinking is too much of a big deal to teen agers.

Drinking is far too accepted by our society in general. I just got back from Las Vegas where the smell of alcohol seemed to engulf the whole city. People, mostly adults, were drunk & buzzed all over the place. Even the smallest stores seemed to be stocked with 100 different kinds of alcohol. That is how our society thinks: fun = altering one's consciousness. Parties, vacations, sporting events have to include alcohol or drugs. It's sad.

 

[sithgoblin]

College can be an overwhelming transition for some. Add in legalized alcohol to an already-struggling 18 year old's life makes the situation more dire. I'm well aware that most kids who want to drink do so anyway but fear of getting arrested and/or disciplined by the school surely helps curb the behaviors in some cases.




I went to a liberal arts school that had a reputation for being a party school. While there was plenty of alcohol being consumed by underage kids, the school rules ( especially for underage kids who got caught ) did make students wary of getting plastered on campus. I think it was necessary.
Underage drinking is no laughing matter. In an age where the public is behind anti-obesity and anti-smoking campaigns, it boggles my mind that we are considering taking the restraints of off something that can cause just as many health problems in a shorter amount of time. If more drinking is encouraged, more kids will develop health problems, have accidents and even die. Worse yet, innocent people will be harmed by these people since alcohol is an intoxicant that seriously hinders good judgment.
If the government/colleges want to stop alcohol abuse, they should set up programs that reward kids for sobriety not make college a free-for-all guzzlefest.

Adults should be able to do whatever they want to themselves.

 

[Lantern Venom]

Adults should be able to do whatever they want to themselves.

The thing that makes alcohol and drugs worse than other vices is it hurts innocent people. Drunk/high people are dangerous.

 

[moraldeficiency]

The day you could get drafted, vote or get shot defending your country is the day you should be able to go into a bar and get a shot. It's stupid to think you can make life or death decissions, defend your country and take human life but cannot have a bud cause you can't handle it.