A recent statement signed by 100 college presidents, urging that the drinking age be lowered to 18, has stirred up a lot of debate.
At the heart of the argument for lowering the drinking age is the sentiment, “If you are old enough to die for your country, you should be able to buy a drink.”
It sounds like common sense, but the issue is not that simple.
In the service, soldiers under the age of 21 live lives that are very different from their civilian brothers and sisters. They live in a communal setting and all aspects of their lives are closely controlled by their military commanders. They are held strictly accountable for their behavior on and off duty.
In civilian life, 18-year-olds are accountable to very little beyond their own developing consciences and good sense. The most likely punishments for under-age drinkers are the social consequences of bad decisions and the pain of dreadful hangovers.
Flip the argument on its head, and you get this: If you are not old enough to buy a drink, should you be expected to die for your country? In its way, that statement makes as much sense as its mirror image. Is the problem that we don’t allow 18-year-olds to drink, or that we allow — even encourage — 18-year-olds to serve in the military?
That is probably a can of worms that the 100 college presidents would just as soon not open.
But for now, let’s just parse the first argument a little further.
Does the average post-high schooler have an intrinsic right to drink? No.
Does a minor in the military have the right to expect to be treated as a complete adult? Probably.
Given that, the best solution would be to pass a federal law making it legal for any member of the military — regardless of age — to buy a drink wherever drinks are sold.
That would fulfill the implied obligation in the presidents’ statement to young people in the military, without giving further encouragement to college students to drink themselves senseless.
Fixed_News (anonymous) says...
As a college student, I agree with Pat. Unless you are really serving your country, don't complain about not having the rights they do. You can't just walk on to a military base any day of the week without being in the military (unless you have dependent card). There is no reason for the students to be whining. Go out and serve or shut up. You will be 21 eventually.
August 28, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
As much underage drinking as I saw in college, I totally agree that the age should stay at 21. Some kids get out on their own and go nuts. They want to do everything their parents told them not to and don't think of the reasons it was forbidden. Alcohol encourages risky behavior, too. Too many young people drink to get drunk and lowering the age isn't going to stop that, it will make it worse. Some kids don't drink since they're afraid to get arrested and it'll get back to their parents or their coaches and they'll get in trouble. If you take that away and you may have more drinking by kids. And yes, an 18 year old is still a kid. His brain is not fully developed. A person goes through a LOT of maturing between 18 and 21 years of age. The military keeps a close tab on the 18 year olds so they can't run amok like your average college student. Trust me, I've seen it all (or heard about it 2nd hand) with classmates and friends in college. I STILL occasionally see the aftermath in Emporia when college is in session. I think drinking is worse now than when I went to college and that was plenty bad enough. They raised the minimum age for a reason and should keep it there.
August 28, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
No one should be expected to die for their country, but EVERY American 18 or older should be WILLING to die for their country. I always was---and still am---and, thank God, so were the generations of Americans before me. If not for those who willingly died for our nation we would most likely all be speaking German, Japanese, or praising Allah and stoning our women.
August 28, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
englishnerd (anonymous) says...
I agree with Fixed_News and really don't see how serving in the military is any comparison to being able to drink. I don't think either one has anything to do with the other. With as many other serious issues as our country faces these days I think we could all stand to debate something with more dire consequences then lowering the drinking age. I'm a college student and I get severely annoyed with my peers who whine about not being 21 and try to use serving in the military as an excuse for lowering the drinking age. If they want to fight for something they should find an issue of severe importance to argue for rather than whining like babies about not being able to "get wasted" and act like complete idiots. Sure, it's college, and you have every right to have some fun, but after a certain point drinking isn't really all it's cracked up to be and being a drunk fool really doesn't get you any respect. So quit whining.
August 28, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pingeon (anonymous) says...
This is a topic that no one will ever agree upon, no matter how much you debate. I don't personally see it as a big deal as long as drinking is done responsibly. Overseas kids grow up around alcohol and they don't have near the problem that the US has. I remember in college that after I turned 21, I didn't drink as much. The thrill was gone. I am just hoping that I can get through to my kids when they get of age and teach them the responsibility that comes with picking up the beer.
August 28, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )