Poll: Drinking Ages

[Arcticflame]

Set it to 16, they do it in germany, and it seesms to me it works due to the fact that by the time they get their drivers license, they are over getting pissed as a life.

That and if it's 16, It's not so much of a cool thing to do anymore.

 

[ZenMonkey47]

If you drink to get smashed before 21 you're a rebel, if you drink to get smashed after you're 21 you're an alcoholic.

 

[Spinozaad]

Over here (the Netherlands) you can buy wine and beer (and everything else that has less than 15% alcohol) is available at age 16. Yet alcohol abuse is a pretty hot topic here at the moment.

Personally I feel that it's just a phase, something teenagers grow out of when they reach a certain level of maturity. Setting the bar too high (thus making it illegal for teenagers) just makes it exciting. Setting the bar too low just makes it easily available. Both ways you'll have binge drinking.

Looking back at my own experiences, I drank most between 15 - 17. At age 18 I was a pretty responsible drinker. Nowadays I don't drink so much anymore, save on social occasions and even then my drinking is still reasonable.