Drinking Age In America Compared to Other Countries.

Mr StraightEdge · #1 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 05:03 AM

I've recently made a couple of South Korean friends. They're used to being able to drink in South Korea at 19, but they're having a hard time accepting how the drinking age in America is 21. They asked me why the drinking age is that much higher here. I didn't know what to tell them. The drinking age in most countries is 18, why is the drinking age in America that much higher? Could Americans not handle themselves with their alcohol?

dog · #2 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 05:05 AM

most underagers look like idiots and take it to far when they drink and act uber retarded. America isn't mature enough i guess.

illinisbII · #3 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 05:07 AM

Americans can handle alcohol just fine, especially while driving automobiles dangerously down the highway.

I think thats why the drinking age is so high. Because 18 year olds arent good drivers for the most part, and even worse when drunk. only my opinion

Boosh · #4 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 05:23 AM

Well, most american teenagers are IDIOTS. THey tend to go overboard.

And they like to drink and drive.

S2THEM · #5 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 05:23 AM

ehh lots of kids like to party then drive home and get killed
i think i read soem where that alcohal slows the brain growth of knowledge if your a adolescent
ive never been much of a drinker yikth gross stuff

Raised Fist · #6 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 05:25 AM

It has nothing to do with our level of maturity, or how responsible we are. It's just the way our society views alcohol and when it can be consumed by people.

For some reason we believe you can't drink until 21, even though we are adults at 18.

It should really be lowered, than kids wouldn't be going crazy like they do nowadays (I guess I'm apart of that group, I used to booze my brains out under 18, and I still drink pretty heavy when I do

).

My senior year in High School the German exchange student (Total hottie haha) was surprised at how American teens partied. I guess in Germany you can drink beer at 16, hard alcohol at 18. She told us they'd go to the clubs to have fun, not to get smashed, and drinking was more for socializing than to get intoxicated.

JR123 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 05:52 AM

i think the drinking age is part of the reason kids cant handle it in america. because its illegal they cant tell their parents they are going drinking so they have to drive home which fucks shit up. also there wouldnt be the rebelious lure to it if anyone and their friends could go out and buy it anytime. kids get soo drunk and fuck shit up because they cant do it all the time if they could they wouldnt get half as drunk. if there wasnt the fact that they arent supposed to do it i think it would eliminate a hell of alot of the dumb shit that goes down when they drink.

skeet3r · #8 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 05:55 AM

Too many irresponsible people in America that get behind the wheel of an automobile and take lives. But shit, when I went to Ireland with my parents when I was 15, I was getting served at the pub, and not only would the citizens drive drunk, the garda (Irish police), would too(not kidding). Weird but awesome country.

Visine! · #9 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 06:45 AM

Well me personally being an 18 year old in college I really think it would help if the drinking age was lowered. Since im not allowed to drink, when i get my hands on it i usually tend to go a bit overboard... Not saying lowering the drinking age would fix everything, but if it was lowered im pretty sure people (like me) would be smarter about drinking since its now just another part of life. (like before i was allowed to drive it seemed like the greatest thing in the world, now its just another... thing...)

CosmicSerpent · #10 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raised Fist

It has nothing to do with our level of maturity, or how responsible we are. It's just the way our society views alcohol and when it can be consumed by people.

Exactly... some European cultures even raise their kids drinking wine just as much as any other beverage. In much of Europe, there is no legal drinking age, just a legal purchasing age.... much different than what we have here. In Britain, you can drink from age 5 if under adult supervision. The main difference is that over there, it isn't seen as something forbidden that you're not supposed to have... it's just another part of their diet. It's over here that kids drink to get "fucked up"... it's human nature to want what you can't have.

Walddo · #11 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 04:45 AM

A lot of good points, but I have to say I think part of it has to do with not only the mentality towards alcohol created in this country, but also the fact that we have so many different people from so many backgrounds that all view it differently. You have to face the fact that for so many intelligent people in this country there are probably 50 to take one of their place. America has a lot of people and the bottom line is as a Mass population we cannot afford to let 20 year olds and younger drink....maybe we'd all act differently if they changed the age and it didn't seem as big a deal, but remember it was 18 throughout the 70's and they changed it for a reason....the funny part is i've pondered the age limit a lot....when i was underage....and im sure anyone can relate...once your 21 who gives a fuck....its not a big deal..DUI's are no fucking joke as someone else said, so it's not like your gonna get smashed at any given time anyways....i know it sucks for everyone reading this that they are only 19, or almost 21, but just wait...we've all been there....it'll be all good...plus most people buy beer or liquor for 19-20 year olds anyways, so the only thing your missing out on is drinking at clubs and bars...and that shit is fucking expensive anyways! haha..anyways ok im done ranting....

MobiusStrip · #12 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 04:50 AM

Allright, here's an explanation: correct me if I'm wrong, but in most euopean countries, the drinking age is extremely low, and the drving age is extremely high. It accually makes alot more sense. Learn how to be responsible with alcohol before youre behind the wheel.

enevitable · #13 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 05:07 AM

I'm actually fine with the way the laws currently are, the facts are true that if they lower the drinking age there probably will be more accidents. Lets face the fact that there is a lot of fucking stupid kids out there that will drink and drive and hurt someone.

interesting enough, the chance you have of hurting someone when driving drunk is only 1 in 2000, not shabby if you ask me

DirtyPete · #14 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR123

i think the drinking age is part of the reason kids cant handle it in america. because its illegal they cant tell their parents they are going drinking so they have to drive home which fucks shit up. also there wouldnt be the rebelious lure to it if anyone and their friends could go out and buy it anytime. kids get soo drunk and fuck shit up because they cant do it all the time if they could they wouldnt get half as drunk. if there wasnt the fact that they arent supposed to do it i think it would eliminate a hell of alot of the dumb shit that goes down when they drink.

I agree completely and have been saying this since I was like 16. Regardless of my well presented argument my parents still were assholes about me getting drunk, but I did it anyway.

But another thing is in America it seems like everyone has a car. It isn't like that in a lot of other countries, maybe the family will have one car, but in America each parent and each child usually has a car, with everyone having access to a car all the time it creates an environment where drunk driving is so easy.

At least I think so.

Stoner420Chick · #15 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 05:16 AM

Let's just be happy its legal at any age, the way this country likes to make things illegal.

It should really be lowered though. At 16 we're old enough to drive a car, which could easily killed somebody. Driving is a huge responsibility. Then at 18 your old enough to choose to kill yourself with cigarettes and vote for the president. Then at 21 you can enjoy a beer. If you ask me driving should be upped to 18 as it's a pretty big responsibility and drivers should be responsible for themselves, drinking should also be lowered to 18.

Right now I'm old enough to do pretty much anything I want. I can move out and rent an apartment and drive my car and buy cigarettes and fight for this country...but at the end of the day I can't enjoy a drink without breaking the law.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ABC Transcript: War On Drugs, A War On Ourselves	superjoint	General Marijuana News from around the World	8	07-19-2007 02:47 AM
Big Brother Will Be Watching America	superjoint	General Marijuana News from around the World	2	11-25-2004 09:03 AM
America	wompum	Spirituality And Philosophy	75	07-12-2004 03:46 PM
Why I HATE bush	NuBBiN	Pandora's Box	139	02-22-2004 08:00 PM
Marijuana and Terrorism in America - Read it!	superjoint	General Marijuana News from around the World	2	12-08-2001 03:17 PM

Site links

FAQ

Important

Extra

#1 (permalink) 11-08-2007, 05:03 AM
Mr StraightEdge Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 39	Drinking Age In America Compared to Other Countries. I've recently made a couple of South Korean friends. They're used to being able to drink in South Korea at 19, but they're having a hard time accepting how the drinking age in America is 21. They asked me why the drinking age is that much higher here. I didn't know what to tell them. The drinking age in most countries is 18, why is the drinking age in America that much higher? Could Americans not handle themselves with their alcohol?

#2 (permalink) 11-08-2007, 05:05 AM
dog Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 46	most underagers look like idiots and take it to far when they drink and act uber retarded. America isn't mature enough i guess.

#3 (permalink) 11-08-2007, 05:07 AM
illinisbII Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,482	Americans can handle alcohol just fine, especially while driving automobiles dangerously down the highway. I think thats why the drinking age is so high. Because 18 year olds arent good drivers for the most part, and even worse when drunk. only my opinion

#4 (permalink) 11-08-2007, 05:23 AM
Boosh Real life beginner killer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The hairy O-Zone Posts: 6,066 Blog Entries: 1	Well, most american teenagers are IDIOTS. THey tend to go overboard. And they like to drink and drive. __________________ the boy J.D. was a friend of mine 'till i caught him in my car tryin to steal the Alpine chased him down the street to call a truce the silly muthafucka pulls out a deuce deuce little did he know i had a loaded 12 gauge one sucker dead, L.A. Times front page

#5 (permalink) 11-08-2007, 05:23 AM
S2THEM Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pa Posts: 702	ehh lots of kids like to party then drive home and get killed i think i read soem where that alcohal slows the brain growth of knowledge if your a adolescent ive never been much of a drinker yikth gross stuff __________________

#6 (permalink) 11-08-2007, 05:25 AM
Raised Fist Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: PA Posts: 58	It has nothing to do with our level of maturity, or how responsible we are. It's just the way our society views alcohol and when it can be consumed by people. For some reason we believe you can't drink until 21, even though we are adults at 18. It should really be lowered, than kids wouldn't be going crazy like they do nowadays (I guess I'm apart of that group, I used to booze my brains out under 18, and I still drink pretty heavy when I do ). My senior year in High School the German exchange student (Total hottie haha) was surprised at how American teens partied. I guess in Germany you can drink beer at 16, hard alcohol at 18. She told us they'd go to the clubs to have fun, not to get smashed, and drinking was more for socializing than to get intoxicated. __________________ Justice presides over them, late into the night A blind fold covering their eyes but something isn't right... Under their arms there are shackles on her legs And the hands that once held up her scales are bound, are bound in chains

#7 (permalink) 11-08-2007, 05:52 AM
JR123 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: magic carpet ride Posts: 171	i think the drinking age is part of the reason kids cant handle it in america. because its illegal they cant tell their parents they are going drinking so they have to drive home which fucks shit up. also there wouldnt be the rebelious lure to it if anyone and their friends could go out and buy it anytime. kids get soo drunk and fuck shit up because they cant do it all the time if they could they wouldnt get half as drunk. if there wasnt the fact that they arent supposed to do it i think it would eliminate a hell of alot of the dumb shit that goes down when they drink.

#8 (permalink) 11-08-2007, 05:55 AM
skeet3r chillum toker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 364	Too many irresponsible people in America that get behind the wheel of an automobile and take lives. But shit, when I went to Ireland with my parents when I was 15, I was getting served at the pub, and not only would the citizens drive drunk, the garda (Irish police), would too(not kidding). Weird but awesome country. __________________

#11 (permalink) 02-14-2008, 04:45 AM
Walddo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southeast Posts: 107	A lot of good points, but I have to say I think part of it has to do with not only the mentality towards alcohol created in this country, but also the fact that we have so many different people from so many backgrounds that all view it differently. You have to face the fact that for so many intelligent people in this country there are probably 50 to take one of their place. America has a lot of people and the bottom line is as a Mass population we cannot afford to let 20 year olds and younger drink....maybe we'd all act differently if they changed the age and it didn't seem as big a deal, but remember it was 18 throughout the 70's and they changed it for a reason....the funny part is i've pondered the age limit a lot....when i was underage....and im sure anyone can relate...once your 21 who gives a fuck....its not a big deal..DUI's are no fucking joke as someone else said, so it's not like your gonna get smashed at any given time anyways....i know it sucks for everyone reading this that they are only 19, or almost 21, but just wait...we've all been there....it'll be all good...plus most people buy beer or liquor for 19-20 year olds anyways, so the only thing your missing out on is drinking at clubs and bars...and that shit is fucking expensive anyways! haha..anyways ok im done ranting....

#12 (permalink) 02-14-2008, 04:50 AM
MobiusStrip Asleep Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 142	Allright, here's an explanation: correct me if I'm wrong, but in most euopean countries, the drinking age is extremely low, and the drving age is extremely high. It accually makes alot more sense. Learn how to be responsible with alcohol before youre behind the wheel.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

#13 (permalink) 02-14-2008, 05:07 AM
enevitable food tv for life mayng Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Land of Oz Posts: 2,166	I'm actually fine with the way the laws currently are, the facts are true that if they lower the drinking age there probably will be more accidents. Lets face the fact that there is a lot of fucking stupid kids out there that will drink and drive and hurt someone. interesting enough, the chance you have of hurting someone when driving drunk is only 1 in 2000, not shabby if you ask me

#15 (permalink) 02-14-2008, 05:16 AM
Stoner420Chick Blazin Blunts Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,052	Let's just be happy its legal at any age, the way this country likes to make things illegal. It should really be lowered though. At 16 we're old enough to drive a car, which could easily killed somebody. Driving is a huge responsibility. Then at 18 your old enough to choose to kill yourself with cigarettes and vote for the president. Then at 21 you can enjoy a beer. If you ask me driving should be upped to 18 as it's a pretty big responsibility and drivers should be responsible for themselves, drinking should also be lowered to 18. Right now I'm old enough to do pretty much anything I want. I can move out and rent an apartment and drive my car and buy cigarettes and fight for this country...but at the end of the day I can't enjoy a drink without breaking the law.