Drinking age?

[taranaki]

What do you think?

Here in N.Z.,the law was recently changed to allow 18 year olds to buy alcohol....can't say that I think it has been altogether successful

[Heep]

18.

They're legal adults now, they should have legal adult rights.

It's 19 where I live, but only 18 in Quebec and Alberta.

[Jimster]

I think really the age limit should be 18- but on the way there are all sorts hurdles.


Y'see- most kids once they hit 18 or even 16 haven't been allowed to drink- they don't know thier limits and how much they can have- so they hit the piss hard- they wind up doing dumb things they know they will regret.

However- if at about 14 the childrens parents slowly introduce them to alcahol- say 1 glass every Saturday night then it is a lot healthier- and as they reach about 16 then let them enjoy alcahol in a a safe, supervised enviroment- hence when they leave home for University or even turn 18 they know thier limits

Thats what my parents did with me- and guess what- it worked extremely well

[Heep]

My friend's parents did that with him as well, and he has never overloaded himself. He's been drunk, sure, but he's always known his limits.

[JD@af]

I'm with 18 being the legal drinking age as well. I think it is terribly unfair that for males in particular, there is a three-year gap between when they register for the draft and can be called into service to fight and die for their country, and when they can legally get a beer. That is a crock of shit, IMO.

The only good argument I have heard for keeping the drinking age at 21 is that if lowered to 18, the number of high school seniors that will drink and drive will increase dramatically. Speculative perhaps, but I bet there's some truth to it, and that is a legitimate concern.

[Toksin]

The most ridiculous thing I heard of recently was here in NZ they wanted to push it BACK UP to 20....because of the amount of 13 and 14 year old kids getting drunk....now tell me, WHAT DIFFERENCE would it make if the drinking age is 18 or 20 when its the kids' parents buying them the booze? Something like half the amount of kids interviewed said their parents bought their booze for them. If they put it back up to 20 it's just going to put a few more thousand under age drinkers (18 and 19 year olds) on the streets.

I agree with the Jimster however, if the parents give them a little at a time in a safe environment its okay...not when the folks buy their 14 year old daughter a 40oz bottle of Jim Beam to take out onto the streets....

In my opinion they just need to knock some sense into the kids in NZ here cos they are going straight downhill....:finger:

Just my $0.02

-Dave

[taranaki]

Originally posted by Toksin


I agree with the Jimster however, if the parents give them a little at a time in a safe environment its okay...not when the folks buy their 14 year old daughter a 40oz bottle of Jim Beam to take out onto the streets....



Just my $0.02

-Dave

Classic example..

http://onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_det...89-1-7,00.html

Almost word-for-word circumstances as you suggest.I had the unpleasant task of sitting on the jury.

I think it was a mistake to simply shift the line at short notice.In my limited experience of these things,it seems that a lot of teenagers have taken away completely the wrong message from this law change.I don't know of any parent who has even taken the trouble to discuss the implications and responsibilities[beyond drink/driving] with their kids.Seems to me that the prevailing opinion among young people is that it's o.k. to get hammered as hard and as often as you like,as long as you don't drive.

[YogsVR4]

I'd pick the age thats not on there. 19. Everyone (but a few) is out of highschool and is treated as adults by law. They should have the right to kill their braincells like any other adult.

[Toksin]

Well, my folks, when I was younger, threatened me with strict punishment etc etc if they ever found out I was drinking, so I hardly ever did, only on special occasions like New Years or whatever. They also did talk to me about the dangers beyond drinking and driving. I'm also of the mindset that if you're not legally allowed to do anything, don't do it. Otherwise, by the time you reach that age, you've got nothing to look forward to

[WaNk]

They're gonna do it wether its legal or not...if its not legal they're gonna get slapped with a fine that they're 'rents will pay and take care of it all...most of the time its not even on their record...Who gives a shit? at 18 they're legal to do everything else, why not kill their bodies as well?

[Oz]

In Australia, the legal age for anything (gambling, porn, tobacco, alcohol, voting etc) is 18. It works fine. What Jimmy mentioned about parents introducing their kids to alcohol gradually was done to me and to just about everyone I know. From the age of 17 my parents bought alcohol if I was going to that type of party - but in a sensible amount (eg. 4-6 beers to be consumed over 6-8 hours). There is no need to change the law as it works just fine, there is a strong community sentiment against drink driving and there are no social problems associated with the age limit at it's current state. I would suggest that all societies currently experiencing problems, a rethink of community attitudes and public awareness is needed - not a reform of the law.

Having said that, as an 18yo in a current location where the age limit is 19yo (BC, Canada) I have had NO trouble getting a beer at any bar/bottle shop that I have gone to. I have been asked for ID once in more than a dozen visits, presented it (clearly said 18) and was still allowed in.

Oz

[Porsche]

Well, I'm 17 and have had my fair share of alcoholic experiences. I voted for 18, because I think it should be lowered (it's 19 in Ontario) since everyone here crosses the bridge and gets anything from Quebec (18 there as Heep mentioned).

I'm not really in a position to say anything though, I'm still yougn and my opinion is obviously more influenced than an adult, who has much more freedom. I'd really like to see more restrictions or something put on it, casue as Toksin said, the amount of 13 and 14 year olds getting drunk is just bad.

The problem is, it can't be stopped, if people want to do something, they'll find a way to do, law or not.

[Jimster]

Originally posted by Porsche
Well, I'm 17 and have had my fair share of alcoholic experiences. I voted for 18, because I think it should be lowered (it's 19 in Ontario) since everyone here crosses the bridge and gets anything from Quebec (18 there as Heep mentioned).

I'm not really in a position to say anything though, I'm still yougn and my opinion is obviously more influenced than an adult, who has much more freedom. I'd really like to see more restrictions or something put on it, casue as Toksin said, the amount of 13 and 14 year olds getting drunk is just bad.

The problem is, it can't be stopped, if people want to do something, they'll find a way to do, law or not.

Although I'm going OT- I just gotta say- Welcome back Porsche! I haven't seen you around here for AGES!!!!!

[Shortbus]

I think it should be 18, in the states you can go to war for your country, you can be put to death for homicide, you can vote, and you can make your own decisions just as well as a 21 year old. What is the difference between an 18 year old adult and a 21 year old adult? Do they think in three years they will be wiser and more capable of determining between right and wrong when it comes to alchohal? I think like most of you say the common sense starts at home with the parents and it should just be left at that, the legal age only keeps the youger people out of the bars, they just go somewhere else and have someone buy it for them.

[Porsche]

Originally posted by Jimster


Although I'm going OT- I just gotta say- Welcome back Porsche! I haven't seen you around here for AGES!!!!!

Hey thanks! I've sorta just been reading stuff here more than posting. School's kicking my ass this year, so that's why I'm not around as much.