Should the drinking age be changed?

[stan1980]

In the UK underage alcohol drinking has been in the news quite a lot. Currently you can only buy alcohol when you are 18. The problem is i think is that pubs and clubs seem to have clamped down on underage drinking recently meaning there seems to be a lot more 15/16 year brats on the streets drinking and causing a nuisance.

If they're going to be drinking anyway why not change the law so that they're not on the streets drinking.

Or should the drinking age go up to 21?

 

[jayem]

Personally, I think if you're old enough to go into the military, whatever that age is, then you should be able to buy yourself a drink.

And anyone who's drunk and disorderly in public, whatever age, ought to be prosecuted.

 

[Steezie]

In the UK underage alcohol drinking has been in the news quite a lot. Currently you can only buy alcohol when you are 18. The problem is i think is that pubs and clubs seem to have clamped down on underage drinking recently meaning there seems to be a lot more 15/16 year brats on the streets drinking and causing a nuisance.

If they're going to be drinking anyway why not change the law so that they're not on the streets drinking.

Or should the drinking age go up to 21?

Jacking up the drinking age doesnt do anything, its 21 here and we have the same problem

 

[FaithLikeARock]

Nope, changing the drinking age changes nothing. I am under 21 and I can say I drink. A glass of red wine a day reduces the chance for heart disease so I think I have every right to it for healthy reasons. The only reason that age law exists is because kids don't know when to stop drinking. Most kids drink for the sake of being drunk and don't know how to limit themselves. That's why in comparison to the age to go into the army and smoke cigarettes, it's much higher.

Going into the army at 18 you are generally going to be thinking about it and it's a decision you can change. Smoking affects are basically all long term, and you can quit addictions with some help. Drinking there are chances of dying on the spot. If you drink too much, if you drink and drive, teenagers have a powerful tendency to fall victims to these things a lot more than adults because their impulses are far more prevalent.

Now if a teenager does drink but does it respectfully, for the sake of the taste, then okay. That child is obviously mature enough to handle it. But I've met only a few who would fall into that category.

 

[cantata]

The drinking age is fine where it is. What needs to change is the attitude towards alcohol. Until we grow up and stop seeing it as naughty and illicit, people will continue to abuse it. In France, where a lot of children drink watered-down wine with their parents, hardly anybody binge-drinks.

 

[Meshavrischika]

Personally, I think if you're old enough to go into the military, whatever that age is, then you should be able to buy yourself a drink.

And anyone who's drunk and disorderly in public, whatever age, ought to be prosecuted.

 

[KarateCowboy]

What's the drinking age over by you guys?

 

[stan1980]

Jacking up the drinking age doesnt do anything, its 21 here and we have the same problem

Yeah, my instincts tell me the same thing

The drinking age is fine where it is. What needs to change is the attitude towards alcohol. Until we grow up and stop seeing it as naughty and illicit, people will continue to abuse it. In France, where a lot of children drink watered-down wine with their parents, hardly anybody binge-drinks.

how do you suggest we change our attitudes to drinking?

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

I think it should probably be lowered to 16 at least.

But I have to say I loathe the way the media stereotypes under-age drinkers. Did me and my friends (and most people I know) spend more Friday nights than we can recall sitting on a bench with a bottle of vodka and a few joints? Yes. But I'v never knowingly intimidated anyone or tried to physically harm someone, nor have most under-age drinkers from what I can tell.

Now if you think public urination, poor singing and vomiting on the street are serious problems, I haven't got a leg to stand on I'm afraid.

Frankly I don't think we could call Britain 'Great' any more if we lost our drinking institutions. Personally, I want to see people falling over and I'd be greatly disappointed if I couldn't go out and hear a slurred rendition of Wonderwall in the middle of the street whenever it gets dark.

And what, really, is the point of drinking but never getting drunk? It's a drug, if you don't effect then it's pretty much pointless.

I swear some of the ideas the government are cooking up are insane. Smaller bottles? If someone's buying 3 litres of cider it's because they want 3 litres of cider. If that comes in one bottle or ten, it doesn't really matter. And now the Tories want to up taxes to something ridiculous like an extra 50p per litre. Yeah, cos we're not paying insane amounts of money already.

The government should tell me the facts about my products, enact and enforce laws to stop me hurting other people and then leave me the hell alone.

 

[ebia]

The government should tell me the facts about my products, enact and enforce laws to stop me hurting other people and ...

and encourage that drinking to happen in social situations where responsible behaviour is encouraged. Upping the age when one can buy alcohol doesn't do anything to reduce consumption, it just moves it from situations where there is an element of social control (eg pubs) to where there isn't (eg streets). Licencing and planning controls that have encouraged the wrong sorts of pubs don't help the situation either. The unique character of the English pub is one of England's best assets (just visit the dreadful things that pass for pubs over here if you doubt it), but one that successive governments of all persuasions have squandered and spoiled instead of exploiting.

 

[CCGirl]

The drinking age is fine where it is. What needs to change is the attitude towards alcohol. Until we grow up and stop seeing it as naughty and illicit, people will continue to abuse it. In France, where a lot of children drink watered-down wine with their parents, hardly anybody binge-drinks.

Absolutely.

 

[cantata]

how do you suggest we change our attitudes to drinking?

That's a good question. I don't have a satisfactory answer at the moment (as one who never indulges, there's not a lot I can say about the matter), but I think we can be absolutely sure that raising the drinking age will serve only to make young people see drinking as illicit and will make it considerably more attractive.

In response to your post, RJF, my main concern is that frequent excessive drinking is rather bad for people and that it would be a good thing if regular binges were less fashionable than they seem to be at the moment. Perhaps improving education is the best way to achieve that situation, but I'm not sure how far it can get us.

And by the way, I see absolutely no reason to reject the enjoyment of drinking without getting drunk. Alcohol is an excellent social lubricant, and it acts as one after a glass or two of wine; there is no need to vomit in order to know you're having a good time.

 

[Blockwell]

The decision to drink alcohol or to join the military are both adult decisions Why don’t we just change the law and make it illegal to join the military until age 21? I can think of some really good reasons why the military would not like that, but if one honestly believes that 18 year olds are not mature enough to drink, then we should assume that they are not mature enough to make the decision to join the service. I think it is hypocritical for us to have this dual set up for reaching the age of majority.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

and encourage that drinking to happen in social situations where responsible behaviour is encouraged. Upping the age when one can buy alcohol doesn't do anything to reduce consumption, it just moves it from situations where there is an element of social control (eg pubs) to where there isn't (eg streets). Licencing and planning controls that have encouraged the wrong sorts of pubs don't help the situation either. The unique character of the English pub is one of England's best assets (just visit the dreadful things that pass for pubs over here if you doubt it), but one that successive governments of all persuasions have squandered and spoiled instead of exploiting.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

In response to your post, RJF, my main concern is that frequent excessive drinking is rather bad for people and that it would be a good thing if regular binges were less fashionable than they seem to be at the moment. Perhaps improving education is the best way to achieve that situation, but I'm not sure how far it can get us.

I definitely think it's important to get as much education about the dangers to the public as possible. Up until a couple of years ago, I believed that 21 units a week meant it was OK to have all 21 on Friday night...

It does seem very difficult to stop people's behaviour just through giving them the facts, though. The medicine students I know at university seem largely to drink, smoke, take drugs and have unprotected sex just as much as those of us who couldn't point out a liver on a diagram.

And by the way, I see absolutely no reason to reject the enjoyment of drinking without getting drunk. Alcohol is an excellent social lubricant, and it acts as one after a glass or two of wine; there is no need to vomit in order to know you're having a good time.

Oh, I agree. That's still an effect though. I just meant that I can't see why people should expect everyone to always drink solely or primarily for the taste or for refreshment in the way you might drink orange juice.

 

[Maren]

That's a good question. I don't have a satisfactory answer at the moment (as one who never indulges, there's not a lot I can say about the matter), but I think we can be absolutely sure that raising the drinking age will serve only to make young people see drinking as illicit and will make it considerably more attractive.

In response to your post, RJF, my main concern is that frequent excessive drinking is rather bad for people and that it would be a good thing if regular binges were less fashionable than they seem to be at the moment. Perhaps improving education is the best way to achieve that situation, but I'm not sure how far it can get us.

And by the way, I see absolutely no reason to reject the enjoyment of drinking without getting drunk. Alcohol is an excellent social lubricant, and it acts as one after a glass or two of wine; there is no need to vomit in order to know you're having a good time.

My personal thoughts are to possibly lower the age to purchase alcohol to 18 and persons younger may drink in the presence of a parent or guardian. Along with that, strict laws with tough punishments regarding public drunkenness (including in bars), drunk driving, and allowing a minor (under 18) to become drunk. Programs to teach and encourage responsible drinking would also be helpful.

 

[Belk]

Personally, I think if you're old enough to go into the military, whatever that age is, then you should be able to buy yourself a drink.

And anyone who's drunk and disorderly in public, whatever age, ought to be prosecuted.

QFT

 

[keith99]

The drinking age is fine where it is. What needs to change is the attitude towards alcohol. Until we grow up and stop seeing it as naughty and illicit, people will continue to abuse it. In France, where a lot of children drink watered-down wine with their parents, hardly anybody binge-drinks.

Pretty much my thoughts. I grew up 'drinking' beer. Meaning a sip of my dads beer. Not sure how young, but I know my younger sister had an occasional sip at 5. At 15 I took up somewhat gourmet cooking (Graehm Cair (sp)). That meant at 15 I had a liqour cabinet that few adults could match. Since some was for show pieces this meant it included soem really hard stuff (151 proof and maybe some higher). Between these a lot of the mystique was gone. Oh I tied on a few in college. And I was honor bound to sneak a brew into football games where it was not allowed. But no real problems.

Today? I have a liquor cabinet that makes my one at 15 look sick and about 100 bottles of wine. But aside from after the match during Rugby season I rarely drink. Almost never more than a bottle of wine shared between 2 for dinner.

Based on my experience I'd propose some changes in the laws. Permit wine and beer at meals and in the home as long as parent or guardian is there. Also perhaps permit wine and beer at 18. That encourages first experiences to be with less hard stuff and less apt to have tragic results.

Yes attitude can make a difference. It would be a huge step forward if we created more snobs! No I am serious, imagine a kid passing on booze because he knows it isn't the good stuff! I try to do my part as part of the campaign for real ale.

 

[keith99]

That's a good question. I don't have a satisfactory answer at the moment (as one who never indulges, there's not a lot I can say about the matter), but I think we can be absolutely sure that raising the drinking age will serve only to make young people see drinking as illicit and will make it considerably more attractive.

In response to your post, RJF, my main concern is that frequent excessive drinking is rather bad for people and that it would be a good thing if regular binges were less fashionable than they seem to be at the moment. Perhaps improving education is the best way to achieve that situation, but I'm not sure how far it can get us.

And by the way, I see absolutely no reason to reject the enjoyment of drinking without getting drunk. Alcohol is an excellent social lubricant, and it acts as one after a glass or two of wine; there is no need to vomit in order to know you're having a good time.

OK I mentioned Rugby earlier, guess I should also mention that I play for an olde boys side that is affiliated with the college I went to. Theresult is I have pretty much had continous contact with elite college students since I graduated. The trend supports yuor contention that raising the age would backfire. When I was in school there were some rules about alcohol. I'm not sure what was really the biggest one was even formally a rule. No organized events with booze til Friday. As time went on the rules tightened up. Drinking problems FOLLOWED the stricter rules. One of the biggest problems now is with booze restricted people preload for parties, trying to gauge how much to be buzzed. Since many have zero experience some miss baddly. A small school and medics on campus regularly, while they were unheard of in my day.

Oh and at least in my circles when I was in school alcohol and drugs were both your choice deals. I could drink or smoke, my choice no preasure either way. Yes today, no tomorrow. That makes a big difference. And if they are illicit and forbidden then of course anyone who does not partake is a chicken.

 

[ebia]

My personal thoughts are to possibly lower the age to purchase alcohol to 18 and persons younger may drink in the presence of a parent or guardian. Along with that, strict laws with tough punishments regarding public drunkenness (including in bars), drunk driving, and allowing a minor (under 18) to become drunk.

Most of those already exist in English law, and it is also an offence to sell alcohol to someone who is drunk. One of the major practical problems with that approach, though, is that "drunkness" is too vague a concept to effectively enforce through a legal system.