Why is the drinking age 21 exactly?

Why is it 21 vs. 20 or 19 or 18? Why not 18 like most countries? Even the UK has it at 18 I think and I don't think they have any problems.

I've tried researching but I can't find one good valid reason why the age is 21 vs. 18 or even 20. The only reason is that it saved more lives in 1985 the first year so they kept it. That's it.

I don't drink much at all and I am underage but still I do drink responsibly and I was taught to through HS education and just common sense. But maybe 2 times a year if that I'll get into a social situation where I can drink and get away with it but not get drunk.

Here is my proposed solution and I want your guys opinion on it. If you criticize, I want really good reasons too so I can understand.

How about the country lowers the age to 18 but makes drinking at 18 only legal with an "alcoholic" license. To get that license at 18 you need to take a 32 hour alcohol education course in safe drinking and other responsibilities and pass a tough exam. Just like driving.You need a license to drive a vehicle and that kills more than alcohol but yet your allowed to drive at 16.

I lived in Japan for 3 years as an American and the age to drive there is 18. Same with Europe. But it's switched around with alcohol.

Doesn't make any sense.

What do you think?

~It was raised from 18 to 21 after numerous studies documented that there were more auto accidents and a much higher rate of vehicular deaths by drivers under the age of 21.

It isn't just the alcohol (or drugs) that is the problem. Several studies found that between 23% and 28% (depending on which study is cited) of teen accidents and fatalities didn't involve alcohol or drugs. It's physiology, especially in males drivers. Their reaction rate, concentration rate and what scientists call their "recovery rate" (the ability to be faced with stimuli from multiple sources, cognitively evaluate it and respond) doesn't reach maturity until around age 21.

Several states are now looking into multi-step driver's licenses. First you would get a permit at 16 with limited driving hours (most states have that now). If you had no tickets and no accidents, you would then upgrade to a 2nd step permit that would allow you to drive up to a certain nightime hour any day of the week. This would allow kids to drive to and from school functions, work, etc. No tickets and no accidents for one year, you get a regular driver's license. However, in many of the proposals, if you blow it on the first or second permit, you would have to wait one year before you could try it again.

You have already acknowledged that you are underage and that you drink (responsibly) and you only do it in "a social situation where I can drink and get away with it but not get drunk". Since law makers already know that teens drink underage (hoping to "get away with it") they want to protect the teens and others on the road by not having them driving (legally) under the influence. Here's why: the above mentioned study also showed that the average reaction rate in teens who have had 2 beers is 28% lower than an adult who has had 4 beers in the same amount of time. The "recovery" rate, was 42% lower in 2-beer teens than in 4-beer adults.

The reason the age is lower in Europe and Japan is mainly because teens there have fewer accidents. Part of that is cultural. Most Europeans (not counting the British Isles) don't drink to get hammered. Their drinking patterns are different than Americans on the whole and they usually drink in social settings where food is a component of the drinking. The other reason is economic. Most European and Japanese teens don't get their own cars as young as American teens do, nor travel the distances American teens have to drive.

Unfortunately, the irresponsible teens screw it up for the responsible ones.

You'll often hear people say, "Well, if you can die for your country at 18 why can't you drink at 18?" Personally, I don't think 18 year olds should be sent to fight wars either.

It is primarily because of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. At the time the National Minimum Drinking Age Act was passed, which coerced the states to all make the minimum 21, 21 was the highest limit in any state. There's no particularly logical reason, just like there's no logical reason to make people adults at 18. People pick an age and it stays that way because of precedent.

This might not be a clear cut answer but what happens if they do lower it to 18? people already under the age of 21 many drink at16,17,18,19, 20 so if they lower it to 18 will even more younger kids drink? young people these days should find more productive things to do with their lives then drink, but hey just an opinion

What I had heard is that they thing that at 21 your body could handle any alcoholic drinks. You had stop growing and the alcohol couldn't affect your growing in any way.


-- not too positive

I think part of the reason might be because most 18 year olds still have minor friends, while most 21 year olds don't

i think it should be 18. just cus thatd be sweet!

I think everyone should have to buy a license to buy alcohol, not just those under 21. The problems with alcohol have everything to do with irresponsible behavior and nothing to do with age. There are other violent crimes that people who drink can commit without a car, so this would give something to revoke for non-drivers who commit offenses while drunk. It also makes more sense to revoke a drinking license than a drivers license on a first offense since losing a drinking license doesn't cause you to lose your job due to not being able to get to work.

A license to buy alcohol that can be revoked makes much more sense than an age limit. There should be no age restriction, except that you would need a parent to co-sign for the license if you are under 18.

Well, personally I agree. I dont necessarily support drinking in excess but since you can die for this country at age 18 then I think you should at least be able to crack open a cold one if ya wanted! Seriously though that is how i feel but I think they changed it because of the drunk driving fatalities and irresposibilty shown by the younger drinkers. Cause it used to be 18 not that long ago!

I completely agree with something along the lines of what you're saying...make a special note on an ID card that says you are able to purchase, consume, or be in the possession of alcohol, as long as you have a high school diploma or GED and a clean criminal history. The alcohol course sounds good as well. Most of the countries who's drinking age is 18 don't have the "binge" drinking an alcohol related fatality rates america does, due to how the kids are raised to respect alcohol and have it in moderation. This 21 business is outdated and overrated.