Drinking age

[Keystone Phil]

Yes. I certainly think that a vast majority of eighteen year-olds are mature enough to drink responsibly.

You don't know much about American teenagers, do you?

[Keystone Phil]

Yes, although this was tried, and it wasn't a great success.

Thank you, New Jersey!

[Keystone Phil]

18 is still far too excessive for purchasing beer or wine, though it is just about tolerable for spirits.

Should be 16 for purchasing beer or wine at worst.

Consumption should be legal with (responsible) adult supervision in private residences or private parties from the age of 12.

Talk about a total mess if that happened here. I understand that it works in Europe but we have to accept the point that Europeans are more responsible with alcohol. I hate when people argue "Well if they can do it in Europe then we can do it here!"

[Keystone Phil]

Still, there is the forbidden fruit angle.  I think that the illegality of alcohol for teenagers is one of the things that makes it so appealing.  If we introduced kids to it at a younger age, and under the proper supervision (meaning parents), they may not feel the need to go so crazy with it.

This is not something I feel particularly strongly about, but I just throw the thought out there.

That would take generations to turn it around. We live in a society where we don't drink responsibly and that happens at all ages.

[Keystone Phil]

 I think if I had kids, I would allow them to at least sample limited amounts of alcohol in my presence just to demystify it a little bit, and I would definitely talk to them about the downside of excessive drinking.  Still, they'd probably go crazy anyway.  That's just how a lot of kids are.

I don't accept that attitude. It's a "We surrender" way of thinking. I know kids that say their parents accept their drinking habits. Wonder how that started, dazzleman? Your "Eh, give them a few sips every so often" philosophy is in full effect today and we still have the drinking problems.

[Keystone Phil]

My parents did that (actually they went much further, they let me drink however much I wanted whenever I was home as long as I didn't leave the house),

That's exactly what I was thinking of. I remember this one kid in particular and, just like yourself, he is a waste. If you don't think you have problems then the Pope really isn't Catholic.

[Keystone Phil]

Phil, you don't seem to have a lot of curiosity about, and desire for, doing what you know you are not supposed to.  That's great, but you're in the minority.

Thank you for playing "Let's State The Obvious!"   

I've known that I'm in the minority (when compared to most of my peers) for years now, dazzleman.

[Keystone Phil]

raise the military age to 21. If youre old enough to fight, youre old enough to drink.

A friend of mine recently presented that argument and I am now in agreement.