Should the US make the legal drinking age 18 instead of 21?
459166
No.  I say this as a person who has recently been both.  I'm 23.  When I was 18, i was a freakin' idiot.  The judgement and maturity difference between the two ages is huge.  And by the way I am also in the military so the whole 18 to fight, 18 to drink argument doesn't hold water with me.
155586
no it is not illegal just to be in the presence there are lot of night clubs that let you in at 18 but you have to be 21 to drink
589551
I guess it is against the law. \nThe drinking age state laws are protected by Constitution. The 21st amendment basically gave states free reign for the drinking laws.[1]\nBut for gambling there is no such amendment, and 14th amendment should apply: giving people "equal protection under laws", so people under 21 but over 18 cannot legally be treated differently from everyone else. So there might be a constitutional case against such law.\n\nSo I suggest you bring a law suit to fix it. Then again the law suit will probably take WAY more then 3 years to litigate, so you might as well just wait to hit 21.
216779
Ummm....The USA is probabaly the only one that really has one, or actually enforeces it. So a better question would have been, "What coutries do have an age limit on drinking?"
105356
Hey, you can vote, you can die for your country, but you can't buy a drink. I'd prefer leaving the voting and drinking as is and get rid of the part that allows an 18 year old to die for his country in war.
1162716
I think it should be treated just like beer and unfortified wine are (in the US).  Taxed, sure. Age-restricted. Available through retail stores (not ABC/state stores).  Available in bars/pubs/etc. And, just like beer and wine, individuals should be allowed to produce up to a certain amount at home annually.  DWI laws already cover driving offenses.\n\nOh, and revenues would roll in from production and sales. Some depressed economies would turn around and become boom economies.  Tax revenues would be enormous.  PLUS!!!  We'd save billions on police, courts and jails by not arresting and jailing people for pot!!!!!!!!!
292395
I believe that it has something to do with the fact that for some people, the development of the human brain is not complete at the age of 18, which poses a risk of more serious damage being caused from alcohol in an 18-year-old. Whether true or not, it seems to be a common excuse for the age limit. I personally believe that if you are old enough to die for your country you should be old enough to have a drink.
787996
The drinking age is 18 in some places too!\n\nI have not heard of that new law.
304055
18\nIf you're old enough to marry or to go to war and kill (or get killed) for your country, you definitely should be able to decide for yourself whether you want to get one glass or drunk. It may be bad for you, but so are many things that are legal.
87247
the last two have it right.  All the states set the drinking age but in any state anyone drinking under the legal drinking age is in violation no matter where they are.  Also your parents are technically contributing to the delinquency of a minor which is also a crime.  However, I think this is one of the least enforced laws nationwide until parties and stuff get involved.  A drink with your parents at dinner wont get looked at twice
1131642
When I was 18 - it was a legal drinking age at that time.  I truly don't understand it either.  I believe if we can send someone off to war at 18, we can surely allow them to have a drink.  That's just my opinion.
121981
no because of the effects it can do on your brain at that young age is really bad b/c ur so young and small drink can cause horible damage to your brain. but as you get older u get bigger and your organs can filter out the alcohol easier.
75414
It's primarily about being mature enough to make the right decisions for yourself. In my state, it is 21. Even at 21 I know I made some pretty crappy decisions about drinking, but I can guarantee they were better than the decisions I would have made at 16. We have so many kids that drink and drive. They think they are invincible! \n\nAnother reason could deal with body weight. Your body can tolerate a bit more alcohol depending on your body weight. \n\nAgain, each person is different. Some 16 year olds are a lot more mature than some 30 year olds I know. Some are also a lot LARGER than people that are older. But the law has to find a compromise.....and thus sets an age limit for what they believe is in the public's best interest. Even then.........we still find that it does not alway deter kids from drinking.....driving......destroying their lives and others.
1015221
The legal age for drinking in Brazil is 18.  The website below lists MOST countries and their drinking ages!
149422
there shouldnt be a certain age. instead, people should be taught to think in a rational & realistic manner. this way, such things wont be glamorized & wind up playing into pop cultre as a forbidden fruit. stigma removed, minor indulgences may not be taken seriously leading to decriminalization. legal issues, as everyone (should by now) knows, lead to social paranoias and drain the judicials recources while padding pockets of preditor officials & politicians with the money & property siezed from those accused of aleged crimes. crimes committed while intoxicated are never fault of illicit substances, merely a scapegoat for the irresponsible thus fukn up my rights to pursue alternative recreaton.
1017306
IMO, drinking AND driving should be set at 18.  If we can get drafted to die for our country at 18, then we should be given the rights and privaleges to get our licenses and drink as well.  Thats how the age to get the license was lowered nationwide - due to the draft.  However if we taught the children to moderate and not be stupid, then drinking would be less of a problem.
490636
Part of me says YES it should lowered to 18. BUT I say this ONLY because at the age of 18 you can do ANYTHING that an adult can EXCEPT drink. BUT my biggest reason for saying yes, is because at the age of 18 you can go into the military and you can get drafted into the military and GIVE your LIFE to or for your country. BUT the government is going to say NO you can't DRINK because your not old enough. I feel if you are old enough to chance giving your life for your country then you ARE old enough to drink.\nBUT on the other side at 18 your still a kid and not old enough or should I say mature enough. BUT overall YES. Have a good debate in class. and let me know how it turns out thanks.