Why is the drinking age 21, and draft age where you can be shot & have to shoot 18?

hammer

You're brain hasn't fully developed yet at age 18, and drinking alcohol slows down brain cells, and while your fully developed brain can get back up to speed when the alcohol wears off (if you don't drink heavily), an underdeveloped brain will not get back up to speed so well.

Why Land '41

It's a state law. Ask your local elected officials. The federal government gives monetary incentives to states that follow it's wishes.

"The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 states that revenue will be withheld from states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21. Prior to the effective date of that Act, the drinking age varied from state to state. Some states do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or in bars (usually, the difference between a bar and a restaurant is whether food is being served). Contrary to popular belief, since the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, few states specifically prohibit minors' and young adults' consumption of alcohol in private settings. As of January 1, 2007, 14 states and the District of Columbia ban underage consumption outright, 19 states do not specifically ban underage consumption, and an additional 17 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws. It is an argument in this country whether the age should be 18 or 21 since 18 is the age of majority in most states.
Federal law explicitly provides for religious, medical, employment and private club possession exceptions; as of 2005, 31 states have family member and/or location exceptions to their underage possession laws. However, non-alcoholic beer in many states, some including California, Idaho, Texas, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, is considered legal for minors (those under the age of 21).[13]" -- Wikipedia

Retired navy 1972 - 1992

What draft? You just have to register. When you actually get drafted come back and complain.

Mister X

I wonder this all the time dude

<KING>

because drafting benefits the government as drinking does not

Locke II

i have no idea. however i know i am much responsible at 21 then i was at 18

Amory

Maybe because the government decided that 18 year olds are more mature with guns then alcohol.

And really....I kind of agree with that. You can be taught how to safely use a gun, but no one ever teaches you how to be responsible with alcohol. But, I was definitely not a mature 21 year old....so who the heck knows.

Shawn

It was 18 to 21 in the 70's depending on the state then the government changed it in 84 by threatening to deny federal funding to any state that didn't raise to 21. It was in respone to the moral panic due to a rash of teen drinking and driving fatalities. I still think they can't handle it so it should stay 21. Being shot at for the defense of your country (which it is now a voluntary act to join a service) and drinking is completely different. It has been proven that the younger the drinking age the more driving fatalities linked to drinking. I don't care what the age is in other countries, you live in the US. Kids here are simply more irresponsible here. I've been to Europe, 18 yr olds are simply more mature and act more responsible than those over here, it's just the way it is.

omgitsrachel

I don't know, but it's the way it is.
Though I don't drink, I think the legal age should be lowered. If you're old enough to fight for your country, you're old enough to drink a beer.

A 21-year-old is not necessarily any more responsible than an 18-year-old.

Singleâ„¢

Very good question.
I ask myself that too.
My ex fiancee was 20, in the Military but couldn't drink with his buddies in AIT.

It's stupid!

1982

I don't know, go have a beer and forget about it

amy f

Military personal should be the only exception for this law. Face it young people are dumb and dumber on alcohol.

Lardo Taco

Good question. It's not like 21 is a magical number where every one turns mature and responsible.

Venus V

because lawmakers passed the law and the governor signed it

The Wise

I don't know. If someone really wants to drink before they are 21, they can, but what you said illustrates a good point. If your old enough to risk your life for the country, you should be old enough to have a beer or two.

That said, the draft is an antiquated, vestigial law and should be either abolished or apply to EVERYONE, not only males and the age to drink should be lowered to 18.

elysia & austin's mommy

Because the shooting and killing doesn't take place in our country.. but the drinking does.

Finnegan

You must mean that you have to register for military service, but this does not mean the same as being drafted - I think this ended sometime in '73 or '74.

In any event, you bring up a good point. In my view, both of these things should be at the age of 21. However, I suspect that there are behavioral reasons why the registration is at a younger age than drinking age. Late teens are psychologically more malleable than when they are 21, and tend to be more easily indoctrinated into a military mindset.

Joe Canada

Drinking age is 19 where I'm from. 18 in Quebec. Fairly close I would say.

firefly

true

george

MOTHERS AND MOTHERS. YOUR OLD ENOUGH TO GO TO WAR BUT NOT TO DRINK.

i love when someone hears this for the first time and then thinks its the greatest argument ever

wizjp

There is no draft in America. Where are you?

sgoldperson

Dude no one is drafted anymore. Yes you register for Selective Services but the draft hasn't been run in like 30-40 years now. Heck the Selective Services board/office whatever it is is only run to make sure people register and assign you your "draft" number. People who join the Armed Forces are making that choice. If they want to wait until they are 21 then that won't bother me.

raina_vissora

Err... there is no draft age anymore. They did away with the draft a long time ago.

Beatlesloverrr<3

It depends where you are, it's not the same here in Canada.

Dea

so true it's insane. No one will be able to answer this without sounding stupid

Looseyâ„¢

You're old enough to kill, but not for votin'
You don't believe in war, but what's that gun you're totin?
And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin' . . .

Those lyrics were written by Barry McGuire in 1969. There was no good answer then, and there is still no good answer.

moonbunny2724

probably because they want us to wait to get drunk

amanda

21 is around the age your brain is fully developed and drinking messes with its growth.

OPC

because when your 20 your not old enough to know what to do when you have been drinking but when your 21 your magically old enough to drink but your never too young to be shot and killed

tetrismaster5

my guess would be that we just haphazardly make up are laws however seems fit why do you have to be thirty five years old till you can be president

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: