U.S. Drinking Age POLL

**~~Shkembe Chorba~~** · 08-09-2015, 07:57 PM

Change my vote to 13, because I forgot about the beer.

**Mraz** · 08-09-2015, 08:16 PM

I'll never understand why in the USA it is allowed for 16 year old to drive cars while you can get a fine if you are 20 and drink a beer in public. :mmmm:

**Dandelion** · 08-09-2015, 08:22 PM

Over here it's 18, but it's often not enforced. They might have become stricter though, as our media is acting quite hysterical about youngsters drinking themselves to a coma as if it were some trend.

I myself first started getting drunk at the age of 14 without any trouble. I know it's very young but it's the norm here (most of Europe as a whole) more or less. Not sure if it's a good think though. I myself never got too crazy with alcohol, though.

**Jana** · 08-09-2015, 08:23 PM

If they can go to war at 17 they sould be allowed to drink too.

**~~Wanderer~~** · 11-17-2016, 08:32 PM

I hated it when I was under 21.

18 or perhaps 19 would be okay.

**Smitty** · 11-17-2016, 08:34 PM

I can't believe so many people picked 16 or 17. No way do I want 16- and 17-year-olds drinking - not even beer. We'll all be dead.

**Jehan** · 11-20-2016, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Smitty

I can't believe so many people picked 16 or 17. No way do I want 16- and 17-year-olds drinking - not even beer. We'll all be dead.

I don't remember at which age my father allow me to drink alcool. Indeed with friends I start drink alcool not before 18 years olds.

But I think my dad gave me some champagne during family events at a younger age, like 14 years old. Maybe 15. I'am not sure about it. I don't think that's really a big deal that teenager drink a glass or two of light alcool during big events like christmas or birthday.

**~~Wanderer~~** · 11-20-2016, 01:03 PM

American car culture plays a significant role in why the drinking age is what it is. There's no federal law setting the age at 21. All the states do because they'd lose a percentage of their federal highway funding if they set it lower. (Puerto Rico has a drinking age of 18 and so forfeits some highway funding.)

There's significant variation in the state laws, though. In some, it's illegal for anyone under 21 to consume any alcohol (though religious functions -- e.g., wine at church services -- are exempted). Other state laws seek to simply restrict the purchase of alcohol by minors, and therefore don't prohibit underage consumption of alcohol in the presence of parental supervision. In others, like Wisconsin, minors of any age can drink in bars as long as a parent or legal guardian is present.

**Smitty** · 12-02-2016, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by Jehan

I don't remember at which age my father allow me to drink alcool. Indeed with friends I start drink alcool not before 18 years olds.

But I think my dad gave me some champagne during family events at a younger age, like 14 years old. Maybe 15. I'am not sure about it. I don't think that's really a big deal that teenager drink a glass or two of light alcool during big events like christmas or birthday.

Agreed. If legal and with adult supervision, it's not a problem.