How is reducing the legal drinking age going to help college students be more responsible?

Question

I don't see how that's going to help anything. Wouldn't that make it worse? I know teens are going to drink anyway and yadda yadda, but who is it helping to make it legal for 18 yr. olds to buy alcohol? I can see the disasters with more drunk driving accidents and deaths from binge drinking...

What is your opinion?

Answer 1

I Totally agree with you.. i guess they think if its under 21 and legal they wont do it as often.

Answer 2

It's not going to change things much.  What needs to happen is for parents to teach their children/teenagers/young adults how to be responsible regardless the subject.

Answer 3

I don't drink... but mainly people who are underage do binge drink.

They do this because it shows (in their mind) that they're "cool enough" to get it and also shows how, in some way, how grown up they are.

No one likes to be told you can't do something, and when teens want to establish their independence, this requires rebellion to rules such as these.   Their are actually studies that show teens mainly drink at parties and whatnot, as an attempt to rebel, and show their independence.

Once your allowed to do something, it loses it's fun...  You could say it's not "Taboo" anymore.  

University professors are making this suggestion, and they likely know what they are talking about.

EDIT:  MAMAb - If their theory doesn't work (which is based on extensive research), then the drinking age will just be raised again, it's very simple.

I would rather trust people with Doctoral degrees, rather then hypercritical politicians, that are probably paid by alcohol companies (that would want binge drinking, as it as it results in the purchase of a lot more alcohol then moderate drinking).

EDIT 2:  MAMAb - Your comment to that other guy about the war was even wrong!  In world war one and two (even today maybe) they would give the trench soldiers rum, to use as a sort of "liquid courage" as they called it.  You need to educate yourself.

Answer 4

The intent of lowering the drinking age is to stop the BINGE drinking. This is what is causing the deaths from alcohol poisoning.  

Answer 5

I totally agree, my boyfriend and i were just discussing this last night. I just see way more accidents and deaths happening as well. All truth be told alot of people when they are 21 aren't even responsible enough to drink even though thats the legal age some people should not be allowed to buy alcohol because of the stupid choices they make. There are very few teenagers at 18 im sure would have there head on straight and not be dumb about it but thats like a small percentage not enough to lower the drinking age. I'm sure alot of people wont agree with me but come on its just gonna bring more distruction to this messed up planet.

Answer 6

i dont know it seems o.k. in a way and bad the other way but alot of young people will be not responsible but alot of 21 and over r bad or worse im neutral on this one

Answer 7

Why is this question directed only to college students?  

Once they are out of their parent's "nest" they are on-their-own in every other aspect of life - why stop it at drinking?  If they want to smoke crack they are free to do so - yet most do not.  If you give someone the power to control their own intake without regulating it based on age, they will take control of their own actions.  It is more fun to do something if you think you are getting away with something.  Most of the heavy drinkers in college were also heavy drinkers in high school.  Take the mystery away and it becomes more of an educational and health issue and not a "beat-the-system" attitude.  

If their counterparts who are not in college are responsible enough to go overseas and kill people for us, they are old enough to drink alcohol.  

Answer 8

In Australia the legal age is 18 which is way too young. They binge drink fight and drink drive. Our new government has recently raised taxs to 70% on alcopops which is the favourite of underage drinkers see this article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1904673/...

Answer 9

I don´t advocate drinking for young people but if you are old enough to die for your country at 18 then you should be old enough for any adult activity.

Answer 10

I don't see how reducing the legal drinking age is going to help at ALL.  

Answer 11

The drinking age in Canada is lower and they don't have the problems they do in the states.

I do think its ridiculous that you can enlist in the military at 18 to "serve your country" but they will not let you go out for a beer.

The whole system is broken and backwards

Answer 12

They'll have to budget for drinks and that takes responsibility.

Answer 13

I agree that at first, teens are going to get really excited and drink more. But I feel that the basic idea is to introduce responsible drinking at an earlier age. Yes, teens will still drink, but they'll be at a stage in their life where people can help them make the right choice (ie: their parents). Also, lowering the drinking age can help dissipate the idea that doing something illegal is cool. Most college students drink b/c their older friends do and it's the "in" thing. They haven't been exposed to it and are more likely to binge. But a college student that has been able to drink since 18 may look at drinking as nothing new.

Answer 14

Supposedly, through some sort of extensive studies, lowering the age requirement is supposed to actually lower binge drinking.  Where these studies came from is another question.  Probably a bunch of guys sucking down brews at Walter's Bar, came up with these statistics.  I'm closing in on 18 for the third time around, my "youngest" child is 24, so it doesn't directly affect me, unless some drunk kid plows into a family member, but I personally feel if you're old and responsible enough to decide to die for your country, you're old and responsible enough to have a beer.  Just my opinion.