Triggering (Substances): legal drinking age 21..did you wait?

[chook14]

Hello,
this thread is aimed at TH users from America! just something I've always wondered about! In Australia the legal drinking (and going to bars/clubs) age is 18. I always thought 21 as a legal drinking age was quite high in comparison. I mean, by that time many people would have started uni/college/work and moved out of home. Surely they should be considered mature enough to purchase and drink alcohol, or go to a bar? So I was just wondering how much that law is respected in America. Do young people agree with the legal age, or want it lowered? Do many people start drinking before 21? Are bars/bottle shops strict about ID and age?!
I've labeled this as triggering, as I don't want people getting any ideas about underage drinking or anything. This thread isn't to promote drinking in any way, I'm just curious about how it works in the US! Thank you!

[Kate*]

They made it 21 because they realized that doing so lowered the number of car accidents considerably and wnen they lowered it the number went back up (apparently, I don't remember it ever being 18 here). They are strict about ID's or carding here both at clubs/bars and stores because anyone caught selling alcohol to a minor or someone underage gets arrested. There are probably some places that aren't as strict, but most of them are. I think most people here realize that getting the law changed would be a losing battle so if they want to drink they just find a way to do it anyway. So basically the law is respected by adults, but I don't know about kids so much. Most people I knew didn't drink before they turned 21, but a lot of people do it anyway.

[iloveblue]

They need to lower it. Alot of teens here drink wayyyy before the legal age. It only gets us in trouble, etc. They would never lower it low enough for people though...if you know what i mean by that...? The town I live in, kids start drinking at like 12 or 13. Start drugs, having sex, etc. The drinking gets bad too. The teens take advantage of it which im not going to be a hypocrite because i myself drink alot too. Bars, package stores, etc, always ask for ID. Which is the part that sucks. Everyone i know finds a way to get a drink one way or the other though.

[ReluctantPegasister]

Not many of my friends drink (We're 16-18). Some will have wine with their parents, or have hard lemonade at parties, or I guess beer, but more people where I live smoke pot rather than drink.

[Ashleyhateslife]

Where I live many people smoke pot, but at the school I go to (in a different city) they drink A LOT. Not many people follow this law but the police are very strict. We have a zero tolerance law which means if you are under 21 and you have any alcohol in your system and are driving you get in a lot of trouble. My family let's me drink with when we are camping. At my school people show up drunk. After drinking for awhile you learn how to not get caught. I agree, it can be hard to wait.

[Tara.]

I didn't drink til I was 21. And even now I don't drink very much. And have never been drunk. I've been in bars plenty of times though. I think it should stay 21 and am against lowering the drinking age.

[firecracker]

I think 21 is good. Most people ignore it, anyway.

The first time I tried alcohol, I was like, 15. The first time I drank enough to feel it, I was about 18. The first time I got legitimately drunk, I was 20. I don't plan on drinking again for a looooong time.

[Le bonheur*]

In my area, A LOT of teens start drinking when they get to high school. I was one of them

I'm still young and I like having a drink here and there... but I've never been drunk.

However, the drinking age went up to 21 to reduce the number of drunk driving accidents. Which I am completely for. I do not agree with drunk driving and if that's what teens are doing, I'd say keep the age limit at 21.

And yes, liquor stores/bars are EXTREMELY strict about IDing people here. My mom's 38 and got carded the other day for buying my step-dad beer.

Hope I helped

[Thomas_TGT]

I definitely didn't want. I was definitely crazy when I was a kid... I was shooting up Ritalin, popping adderall, smoking joints/cigarettes when I was 14. I've grown wiser in my old age

[Revolution]

I've drank before, and I'm 18.
However, I'm not really for a lower drinking age. My dad explained something to me: People are always going to drink underage. When the drinking age is 21, people 17-20 are going to drink. But when the drinking age is 18, people 14-17 are going to drink. Which one would you rather have?
I think it works great in other countries, the United States is not good about moderation.

[BBECK DeChamp]

Originally Posted by Coffee❤

I think it works great in other countries, the United States is not good about moderation.

I have to fully agree with that statement.

And I did have a drink a few times, Just usually a shot of something or wine or a beer at home and my dad gave it to me. So it was all legal.

[chook14]

Thanks for all the replys so far guys! Sounds like there are some mixed opinions!

Originally Posted by Coffee❤

When the drinking age is 21, people 17-20 are going to drink. But when the drinking age is 18, people 14-17 are going to drink. Which one would you rather have?

I definitely agree with this...Where I'm from in Australia, most people that I know started drinking around 14/15. But they tend to slow down when they actually reach legal age. I know I drank more when I was below 18 then I do now. So I guess it makes for fairly responsible young adults, but the opposite in young teenagers :P

[TakeTheLeap]

Yeah, I did wait (pretty much, anyway). I'd had sips here and there before I turned 21 and on special occasions I've had a glass of wine or champagne... I also had laundry nights with my roomie where we did laundry, watched a movie, and drank either a glass of wine or a cooler... I wouldn't say that counts though. xD My parents always had alcohol in the house and always told us we could have some if we wanted as long as we stayed in the house. I just never took them up on that offer (other than tasting when one of my family members had something).
Now that I am 21, I do drink casually, but I limit myself to 2 drinks in a sitting. I have no desire to get drunk... or even tipsy. The idea of losing control of myself never appealed to me, nor did the idea of a hangover. xD

I suppose because my parents always had alcohol in the house, it was never a big deal to me. I knew I could get it if I wanted it, so there was no need to go the extra mile to try and sneak it or anything. There wasn't really any extra pleasure in drinking underage because my parents didn't make it taboo.

[Illuminate]

I know I'm not in the US, but I have friends who moved there not long back.

They're 16-19 and all have parties and get drunk.
I guess it's like that anywhere you go.

You find 14 year old binge drinkers where I live.

When I think about the age over there being 21 I think that is really high. I mean, by then you've already got a job, finished school, more than likely living in your own house. Basically looking after yourself.

I just think 21 is too high.

[Dez]

I think 21 is a bit too high, but don't go lower than 18 because that's when you're a legal adult, but you can't really do anything.
I'm 15 and so far have respected the legal drinking age (My parents would KILL me if I drank), but maybe I'll have a drink when I'm 18 (If I'm staying over a friend's house that night so my parents don't find out :S), and just one. I'm not planning on drinking a lot anyway because alcoholism runs in my family.

[Crimsonkin]

I gota say that lowing the drinking age here in America would be a double edge sword. Yes i do believe at 18 you should be able to drink as you are an adult. But then again i dont think its a bad idea to have these so called "adults" Some time to mature. As long as your responsible i think you should be able to drink at 18. But there are to many people out there that are not responsible. So many lives have been lost due to people being just plain drunken idiots.

[Guile]

Never had a drink in my life, not even a taste. I don't plan too, I hate the smell of alcohol, and think the idea that you need a chemical change in your brain to have fun, is pretty depressing. The only thing I'd ever be interested in is Monster Energy + Alcohol, but even then I don't really care to.

[EndureEmo]

the age in australia is only 18, and i first drank at 11.

[ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST]

I have had a taste and DO plan to drink in moderation when I am of age. I personally do NOT agree with the legal age.

[Darrenboy!]

no! first drink at 13

[5a5]

nope didnt wait by the time i was 21 i didnt evenn feel like drinking

[Cosmic]

21 is definitely too high of an age for the drinking requirement. It is years older than other countries, and like the OP mentioned, you are considered an adult at 18 and can live alone, so why is the drinking age 3 years older than that? I would safely say that over 85% of teenagers drink and have been drinking. It is easily abused without a doubt, and bars and clubs are very strict with checking for IDs, as your liquor license can be revoked if selling alcohol to people under 21.

Lowering the age to 16-17 for "soft" alcohol like beer and 18 for harder alcohol like vodka, whiskey, etc. would be a wise decision by the government. No doubt that it would lower the amount of people binge drinking, abusing, etc. as the law wouldn't be as "strict" and the thrill of doing something illegal wouldn't really be there anymore. I don't think European countries have many issues with their drinking ages?

And I don't drink.

[craz33me]

Still haven't tried it. so yeah, i've waited. lol

[Fairy Poppins]

In the UK, the legal drinking age is 18.

I can't remember if I waited 'til that age, but it was pretty close (probably had my first drink at 17).

[Spellbound]

I can't really remember my first drink, but I was allowed a little bit of wine at family Christmas parties when I was 14 or 15. I don't like the taste of it. I drank my first full beer at 16. I like beer. I don't drink much (not allowed much with my meds) but I admit it is nice to once and a while, because just one drink tends to calm me down when I'm feeling nervous. I don't go out and get wasted at parties; when I do drink (which isn't very often), I drink responsibly.
I think that 21 is way too high. 18 years old is when you become a legal adult in the U.S. You're deemed responsible enough to vote, hold property, sign contracts, get married, and join the military without parental consent. So why not be deemed responsible enough to drink? They'll let you fight for your country but you're not allowed to drink a few. I see no reason for the age to be 21 when you become an adult at age 18, but that's just my opinion.

[alixthetree]

No I didn't wait. Well the legal age is 21 there are some states that if under the supervision of parents, it's legal. I've been to bars with my mom and have had a few drinks. The only aspects about that are, only your parent/legal guardian is allowed to give you the drinks (like they actually have to hand them to you) and the bar owner has the ability to make the decision on serving them (even if the parents okay with it.) Lots of bars around here will serve you though, so heck why not?

[Nicole!]

I know a lot of teens where I live that are already drinking, and I will admit that I have ignored the rule myself. I understand the reasoning behind it, because driving while drunk is really bad and it does reduce deaths, but I think it is kind of silly that cigarettes are legal at 18 while alcohol isn't legal until age 21.

[Madeleine.Claire]

I tried sips of stuff before, not much, I've never regularly drank or anything like that.
I know a lot of people that don't care though.
Honestly, I don't even know if I'll drink when I'm 21.
But that's a different story hahaha (:
<3

[blumemusik♫]

The legal age here is 18.
Most people I know have been drinking since about 12.
I've had sips of my parents' drinks for quite a few years, with a glass of champagne on special occasions since I was 13.
And I had my own first drink at a party at 15. I got a teeensy bit tipsy a few weeks later at a different party (I had about 5 vodka and cokes....)
But I've never been drunk.

[escape_thereal_world]

Nope. I drank Hawaiian Coolers when I was like 12-15 or so. Then Smirnoff (the malt ones) from 15-17. Then when I was about 18 I started drinking more. By time I was 20 it was once a month or so.

Recently turned 21....and haven't had a single drink. lmao

[Pelios]

I don't remember when the first time I drank was but it was around 18 give or take. But one thing I remember is that there was always alcohol in my house it was something normal I didn’t see it was something I wanted to do I just saw it as another thing in the house. I would go to my grandfather’s house and I remember him always opening a beer and offering all the grandkids some we were all less than 10 and I took a sip and it was the nastiest thing ever the taste was nasty so that probably why I didn’t drink till I was 18
Now I drink on the weekends with my friends but it’s not really that big of a deal we just drink to have a good time not to get wasted.

[MegaMadness]

Since I'm Australian the drinking age here is 18 and I've never drank before and I'm not planning to till I'm 18. Even then just a drink to try it, I'm not one for drinking to get drunk, make myself sick and make myself look stupid. I think the age of 21 is a good age. Honestly why the need to drink so soon?

[Sincerely Yours ♥]

I'm only 19 & I drink, but only at parties & I've never driven drunk. There are times where I've actually had to drive my boyfriend home because he was too drunk or high. But I didn't start drinking until last December, when I was 18. I think it's ridiculous when I see kids my sister's age (16) drinking & smoking at college parties.

[Unicorn ♥✿]

It's 18 here, and NO! BAileys is too yummy!

[Dream]

No, I definitely did not wait.

I think it is unreasonable to expect people to wait to 21 just to drink when everyone who wants to does it.

[david2357]

i drink , im 18 . no way am i waiting till 21 just to please the stupid bitches who work for MADD and the stupid and unfair law that they lobbied congress for. as long as the government requires all 18 year old males to register for selective service for in case there is a draft and as long as all 18 year olds can be subject to jury duty; i have all responsibilities of an adult citizen, i should also have the right to drink. im not a child, i can handle my liquor.

[.Brittany.]

Originally Posted by david2357

i drink , im 18 . no way am i waiting till 21 just to please the stupid bitches who work for MADD and the stupid and unfair law that they lobbied congress for. as long as the government requires all 18 year old males to register for selective service for in case there is a draft and as long as all 18 year olds can be subject to jury duty; i have all responsibilities of an adult citizen, i should also have the right to drink. im not a child, i can handle my liquor.

just to make something clear to you, I find this post EXTREMELY offensive, MADD is MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING they aren't the ones that make the drinking age, its a movement to stop people from drinking and driving, like the one that killed my best friend! So how about you get your facts straight before calling people bitches..

[ToGoOmniscient]

I didn't wait. I've had sips here and there and I took a shot of whiskey but have never consumed more than that. Given the chance to drink with my friends, etc., I'd do it. But I would never get, like, wasted at this age.

[Briana]

Originally Posted by david2357

i drink , im 18 . no way am i waiting till 21 just to please the stupid bitches who work for MADD and the stupid and unfair law that they lobbied congress for. as long as the government requires all 18 year old males to register for selective service for in case there is a draft and as long as all 18 year olds can be subject to jury duty; i have all responsibilities of an adult citizen, i should also have the right to drink. im not a child, i can handle my liquor.

Do you even know what MADD stands for? I doubt you do. Read about MADD before calling someone a bitch. Loose your daughter or son to a drunk driver, before you call MADD a bitch.

I think 21 is an okay age limit. Our brains don't 'mature' til then. If the age was lower, there would be a ton more kids drinking and driving and killing people in car wrecks.

I do drink, responsibly, though, and usually with someone of legal age, meaning a parent.

[Aletheia*]

The first time I tried alcohol was at 13, at a friends 8th grade graduation party. Her mom said we could try some, and she gave us a small cup with a wine cooler in it.

I didn't start drinking until I was about 16-17 though. I hung out with an older crowd, and that's what we liked to do. We would even walk along train tracks, underneath a bridge so we could drink (most of them were under the age of 21 at the time).

I'm 21 now, and I definitely didn't wait. Am I glad I didn't? Yes. I was going into bars when I was 20 years old, and ordering drinks because my sister bartends two nights a week, and she didn't care and neither did the owner. However, do I think the age should be lowered? No. 21 is a good age. It's completely up to that person whether they want to drink before then, but the legal drinking age should stay where it is.