If you're an adult when you turn 18 why can't you drink alcohol until you're 21?

dojoman

18 year olds are most certainly NOT adults and they prove this every time they go out drinking!...if it were up to me, the legal driving, voting and drinking, and military service ages would all be substantially increased.

sarge927

The laws were changed in the late '70's and the early '80's raising the drinking age from 18 to 21 because virtually thousands of kids between ages 18 and 21 were getting killed in alcohol-related accidents. It was getting to the point where just about every high school in the nation had some new graduate(s) that went out every summer, got drunk, got behind the wheel of a car, got in an accident, and got killed.

In Europe, there really isn't any drinking age, but they also have a lot more public transportation and they have VERY strict drinking and driving laws. Some people believe the U.S. should emulate that model here and remove some of the stigma regarding alcohol consumption. I don't think that would work though -- we have way too many overgrown children here who believe they should be allowed to do whatever they want already. The words "accountability" and "responsibility" are lost on most Americans -- if We the People took those two words more seriously then maybe abolishing the drinking age would work. But until people here pull the thumbs out of their mouths and grow up the big bad government is going to continue to legislate morality.

usafatceo

It goes back to the military wanting you at 18,,easy to brain wash.

Jim

I agree with you, 18 year olds should not be considered adults, oh, that's not what you said, my bad! I think the law on defining an adult should be consistent. If you are "an adult" you should be able to purchase alcohol, hand guns, vote, join the military without parental permission serve on juries etc.., conversely if you are not an adult then you should not be ble to do any of those things. The "laws" need to pick a criteria and hold to it. Personally, I think that 18 is too young to be considered an adult (and in fact most jurisdictions refer to 18 as the age of majority, not adulthood) and I believe 21 may be a little too old to draw the line. My logic is that a lot of kids are still being taken care of and supported by mom and dad and many are in fact still in high school at 18. I think 20 would be a good place to set the mark, after all, at 20 you're no longer a teenager!

eizus28

Because the Government wants you to vote but wants you sober so you will remember to do so!

ItsGoinDown

Because the american goverment is run by people who don't know left from right.

KrazyKyngeKorny

Drinking is not governed by adulthood. It is under the control of the Alcoholic Beverage Control board. They spell out 21 as the legal age, in most states.
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Goldenrae9

MADD was the driving force behind the bill. The most drunk driving accidents and fatalities were occuring to drivers between the ages of 18-21. It's a lot easier to change the drinking age than the driving age.

thegirlwholovedbrains

In the USA? Because our culture is controlled by the ABC. Why do you think they call them Alcoholic Beverage CONTROL?

It's absurd. We have the highest rate of alcoholism in our country because the government makes it taboo. I'm sorry. If you're old enough to choose to die for your country, old enough to get married, old enough to vote in the next dummy for president and be legally responsible for every single mistake you make in every other area, why can't you have champagne at your own wedding, toast your military buddies with a beer, or toss back a shot when the election results come through?

In European countries children are gradually acclimated to alcohol (usually wine) from a fairly reasonable age... ditto for Spanish speaking countries and caffeine, by the way... and they grow up learning that this is something you have with dinner... with a meal to compliment the taste, aid in digestion, ward off heart disease and diabetes etc.

In our country we don't do this so we have monstrous rates of alcoholism and obesity. Go figure. (On that caffeine issue we also have folks addicted to that, can't wake up without it, our kids are all but getting high on Jolt cola or whatever... because we're making caffeine just as taboo as alcohol. Way to go, USA.)

freeetibet

Because adulthood is legislated. The only rule in the Constitution about age is how it relates to voting. But having the right to vote does not automatically entitle one to the title of "adult".

Mopp

Can't rent a car till you're 25.

Chew on that one. lol

dub

Well its stupid in The States and Canada you can vote @ 18 and decide who is to run the country but your too young to drink or smoke but you are old enough to be tried as a adult does not make a lot of sense. In Europe they have it right you vote @18 and your a adult and have the right to decide for yourself.

Suze

Statistics prove that 18 year olds are not smart enough to determine when they have had enough to drink and therefore would not hesitate to get behind the wheel of a car.

Drinking ages were changed to reflect the attitude of most teens who feel they know it all ... until they screw up. Killing somebody is not the ONLY reason why teens are not allowed to drink in USA. They accounted for more bar fights and more crimes.

In Europe teens learn to drink at home. Rural and Urban Public transportation is superior to that of USA. These teens who are out drinking rarely own a car.

WHY are teen auto insurance rates higher than 30 year olds?
I think you know the answer to that.

karenhar

Just because you are legally an adult doesn't mean that you have an adult's judgement when it comes to drinking. I imagine that that has been proven in accidents involving young people. It is in place to protect the innocent.

chanelm187

It has always been that law. It was set way before we were all born. California is more advanced, if you are in the Southern states where the lifestyle is slow then their drinking age is lower. A person at the age of 18 is usually not in a position to be financialy responsible for his actions. this gives a person 3 more years to basically grow up and mature and still be able to live at home with their parents legally liable for their poor choices. time goes fast enough without trying to speed up the clock. soon enough you will be able to out and be responsible for all your purchases and all of your mistakes!, a lot of kids are still at home at the age of 18! A person at 21 is more likely to have a steady job, be out of college, and have their own place to live.

Lisa

Puritanical values.

Matt B

because americans are idiots

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