Why do Americans have a problem with young people drinking alcohol?
I am nearly 16, and live in England. Over here, I'd say its pretty normal for people my age to go out drinking with friends. Obviously it depends on the family, but it isn't really frowned against or anything. The legal age is 18, but people drink from as early as 13. My parents will buy me alcohol if I am going to a party, and no they aren't irresponsible, and it isn't just them.
But I hear that in America, you can't drink until 21, and it's seriously frowned upon if you do?
Of course, I have been drunk, but I have never really done anything I regret, or had any trouble.
So why are Americans against young people drinking? And why is it OK for them to drive at such a young age? I would have thought that that was much more dangerous!
Just wondering. Thanks xx
Anonymous2007-10-15T07:54:35Z
Favorite Answer
Because American kids are stupid, and take things to the extreme. They lose families, jobs, money, homes, and their lives over drinking alcohol. They make it a habit and let it ruin their lives. They aren't capable of social drinking. They drive drunk, killing innocent folks, as well as themselves, and tearing up all sorts of yards, trees, road signs, and stuff, in the name of fun. That is why the age limit is 21, and it is frowned up seriously here in the USA, and I am so glad.
Teens drink here long before they turn 21. As for seriously frowned upon.....it depends on the individual's family and values. You get in more trouble for driving under the influence of alcohol than merely drinking it. The ones who usually get a MIP (Minor in Possession) are the kids whose parents provided the alcohol to begin with and are able to buy their way out of the offense. Yes, it is illegal, but it's very easy to get access to alcohol. I think your parents have taken a very responsible stand. It's better to know what your kids are doing than to have to guess because they're slipping around on you, doing forbidden activities. My parents have a similar philosophy, but their main rule is that I will not drive when I have been drinking. I can respect that, because I have only been driving for about a year. (I'm currently 19...we always had p.o.s. cars and my parents didn't think they were safe for me to drive). I'm the responsible one, who makes sure someone else is in charge of driving if I plan to drink at all. Otherwise, I refrain. Driving is a privilege, and it shouldn't be confused with a right. That being said, I can take alcohol or leave it alone. I can have a good time without vomiting, fake laughs, and alcohol poisoning. There is nothing wrong with drinking responsibly or in celebration. I think parents should be more responsible about when they let their teens drive alone. Just because someone is 16 does not mean that they can capably drive. On the other hand, some 16-year-olds need to drive to employment or because their guardians cannot. One year ago today, my brother's ex-girlfriend (to whom he was still close) was killed in a car accident when her SUV hydroplaned in the rain. Her vehicle was in functioning order; she simply didn't know enough about the driving conditions. It's really pathetic how far our country has regressed since the 19th century. Back then, when you acted like an adult, not when you had reached a certain age,you were treated as such. For some people, this was 9 or 13. For others, they were in their mid-twenties and still acting like children. I have been treated as an equal by my parents since I was around 8 and am included in making major decisions. There was a program proposed a few years ago wherein teens could earn a license to drink at 18 if they could prove that they had stayed clean until that time.
I think that America pick the drinking age to be 21 because you have reponsiblities as you have learned what its like in the real world. I am 20 and i have drank alcohol when i was 17. I dont really know where they came up with that rule. In america we can start driving at the age of 16. Again i dont know why they picked that age. Americans are just against young people drinking cause of the things that could happen to you. maybe there all just concerned. I would say that drinking at a young age is more dangerous the driving at a young age.
I'm not America, I'm British like you. And I'm 16.
I think the Americans are right to frown upon kids drinking. I mean, I really can't talk, because I've been drinking since I was 14... But I know I'm one of the lucky ones (and so are you) because I've never had sex/hurt myself/whatever while I was drunk. But I know quite a few people who have. See my question about drinking:
And alcohol is bad for you anyway, no matter what age you are. I should know, my dad was an alcoholic and now he has liver problems. It's especially dangerous for young people. you don't want to end up having liver failure by the time you're 25.
So basically, I can understand the American's point of view. But at the same time they are a bit over the top. I would say 18 is about the right age to be able to legally drink. It's all about self regulation. Don't go over the top and you'll be fine!
Ps I wish my parents would buy me alcohol like yours! I don't think they're being irresponsible, not if they can trust you to be sensible with it
Actually, teenagers DO have the capacity to understand that drinking and driving is wrong. But out of irresponsibility and poor impulse, they go and do it anyway even when they're told not to just the day before and get someone killed(true story of a guy-he killed his friend in a crash and now has to go speak to schools about his mistakes).
Drinking alcohol in moderation is actually good for you and protects against heart disease. But yes, as said by someone above, people just take it to the extreme. I don't know, they probably think "if a little is good for you, then more is even better" or something. That's not the case and can increase the risk of obesity(with those calories, it's like an extra two meals) cancers and liver problems, and being a danger to yourself and others around you. It's not about age, people are just irresponsible as part of the culture to go partying when drunk and then drive drunk or get raped.
I don't think the whole 21 before you can start drinking is fair at all. First, alot of people under 21, in fact most drink or have drank. There's no use in denying it for some sense of assurance. People can have access to it either way. And secondly, if you can be considered an adult at 18, can vote, can smoke, can be tried as an adult in court, legally move out, can join the military and be given a rifle to kill, then why can't you drink? It's not like people over 21 are all very 100% responsible.
These kind of policies don't work, and it's unfair to some people because there are people below that age limit who came from a family that brought them up well and can be very responsible on their own. They know not to drink, if they do drink, have someone to look out for them and don't drive or get into anyone's car whose driver have drank.
The same goes for the driving age. Are some people bad drivers or irresponsible, yes. But there are many more who are responsible safe drivers and can be trusted. In this country, to do anything you need to drive. It's just part of growing up and independence. It's entirely biased to easily blame teenagers. Whenever someone is killed, the teenager is automatically blamed(and he should if it was his fault, I'm not saying he shouldn't be). But look at all the adults who drive irresponsibly and become a danger to themselves and others. These "mature" and "responsible" adults go in the wrong lane, jump lanes, run stops and red lights, tailgate, cut people off, and go 90-100 on the freeways...And some drive drunk or when they're not supposed to. Just because they're adults they think they have this special "adult license" to do whatever they please and blame those under scrutiny. Oh, and it's not fair to conclude "brain development" when teenagers of any age group have the sharpest motor functions, wit, and reflexes...