Why is the legal drinking age so high in the United states of America?

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Wizzard2

REAL ANSWER- The Federal Government wanted all State ti rause the drinking ago to 21, so they decidied not to give money for roads to those state which did not. Before that time, some sates were 18.

사랑

i don't know why it's so high. I'm a teen and living in the US, and i for one am glad that the legal age to drink is 21. It reduces the number of teens drinking. But some people don't follow that 21 age rule, and don't care, and they drink anyway. but they don't get caught.
I think our legal driving age is pretty LOW, and stupid...but i'm driving now and i'm 16...so i'm kind of glad, but kind of not. it's ridiculous to let teens drive at such an early age because they act STUPID, when behind the wheel. Some aren't mature enough to be driving. But driving also gets you places...teens love going to the mall and having fun, yeah, and have knowone to take them so they got to get around. And knowone really wants to take public transportation, where i live at least. I'll see a taxi probably twice a month, driving around the city. The buses, are practically EMPTY! You'll see maybe 5 people on them, with room for 30.
I'm with you on thinking that our drinking age is so high, because our legal driving age is very low. I think it's something along the lines of, "they're not going to let us drink until we're 21, and in other countries it's about 18, so the LEAST we can do is let them drive at 15 and a half."
I never noticed that before. Actually, you have a very good point about the whole drinking and driving age.
take care.

mizangeleyes

i think they have the right idea, ppl here in britain seem far too irresponisble 2 drink at 18. but i also think the americans have got it wrong with the age they can start driving. all these things are leathal weapons in the wrong hands (or stomachs) and require maturity and responsibility.

yogachic♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♪♫♪♫♪♫♪

From a young persons perspective it is probably a stupid rule but from a 'responsible adult' parents perspective this has to be a good thing.

Alcohol can increase chances of violence in vulnerable situations and probably for a young women the chances of her being taken advantage of is higher.

So as a parent i would say the older you have to be the better really. Needless to say the person hopefully has more experience by the latter age therefore being more responsible.

Jenni

I must admit that it's a mystery to me too.
I went on holiday, and got refused service because I'd forgotten to take my passport out with me. (which was a real b**** coz I was 25 at the time, lol.

MEL T

It was to cut down on drunk driving and binge partying in college. Didn't work really well on that last one. It's state law though, not American law. So in Texas you have to be 21 in other states 19.

barrytabrah

You don't want to give alcohol to kids with firearms. That would be irresponsible :)

joe

because the other age was to young and it was hurting to much

mschicky58

BECAUSE IDIOT TEENAGERS DRINK GET DRUNK DRIVE AND KILL WHILE BEHIND THE WHEEL.SO THEY THINK 21 YOU WILL NOT DRINK GET DRUNK AND KILL WHILE BEHIND THE WHEEL. THERE IS NO LOGICAL REASON,THE TEENAGERS STILL DRINK AND DRIVE,YOU SHOULD SEE SOME OF THE HORRIFIC CRASHES AND LOSS OF LIVES THAT OCCUR HERE,ITS POINTLESS.

shrewsbury_05

i think it is because of the high standerd of secuirity and of all the stupid people that get hammered on a regular bacis.

peter gunn

Because they're quite hypocritical about such things!!!
If you can breathe you're allowed to own a gun!!!
but it takes you 21 years to be able to enjoy your first beer

Osh Aka Oisinmagic

Coz its a good idea to stop young adults getting themselves into a world of binge drinking and all the trouble that comes with it.

kadel

Congress said the states had to make it 21 to be eligible for federal funds for highways. A number of states, including NY, used to be 18. However, most of our accidents are committed by people under 25, which is why insurance companies here charge more for those under 25 and car rental places are reluctant to rent to those under 25. By the way, the judgment portion of your brain is still growing until you are 25 and drinking impairs its development.

Zelda

Apparently, when you reach 21, you are now mature enough to drink, where as at 18 you are not mature enough.

WHO KNOWS?

shadowmosesx232

Because America has the most rules of any country. Any other country doesn't care, but not America we give a crap about everything. I'm in college so yeah, do my fair share of drinking.

kimalison11

maybe coz quiute a lot of people get drunk

DAVEG_10

It's high in the US? WOW Only have to be 19 here

wudbiser

Because although men and women in this age group are old enough to carry around M16's in foreign wars they are too immature to have a drink. Makes a lot of sense doesn't it?

sunshinee

CUZ IT IS THE US BABY!!

ann l

proberbly cos they have to be 21 unlike us in britain 18, it wouldnt do any harm for us to have 21yrs law

slipstreamer

Damned if I know. Both should be the same. It used to be 18 ages and ages ago.

But then I grew up near lots of public transport - very useful when drunk.

ronald t

Yes, and I think it is a cultural thing.

matthew m

You've got to be 21 in the states so you can drink the piss water called Natural Light!

You've got to be 21 in the states sdo you can drink and drive as majority of towns here in Flordia don't have public transport - I work with two people who have never travalled on a bus or a train!

America is so conservative it's unreal and if you drink, the big bad devil will get you!

sOmeday*

Yuar biurifol youar biuriful its tru

nonamegirl

They claim it lowers the percentage of young people dying from drinking and driving. However, I think if you can go into the military at 18 and give your life for your country, then you should be able to buy alchol if you want.

rockin mermaid

Cos' Americans are not as sensible as us boring English!!

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