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Lowering the drinking age
During high school, just about everyone drank, it was no big deal. The reason was because it was illegal and thus considered cool. Anyone who didn't was considered lame. Other countries freely allow drinking, and teenagers drink responsibly there. During high school, just about everyone drank, it was no big deal. The reason was because it was illegal and thus considered cool. Any... more
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7 States draft bills to lower drinking age to 18
Seven U.S. states are considering legislation that would lower the legal drinking age from 21 to 18 either for all residents or for members of the military, UPI reported April 3.
Lawmakers in Missouri, South Dakota, Vermont and Minnesota have introduced measures to lower the drinking age for everyone, while the military-only bills have been filed in Kentucky, Wisconsin, and South Carolina... Seven U.S. states are considering legislation that would lower the legal drinking age from 21 to 18 either for all residents or for me... more -
States weighing lower age to drink
More than two decades after the U.S. set the national drinking age at 21, a movement is gaining traction to revisit the issue and consider allowing Americans as young as 18 to legally consume alcohol. More than two decades after the U.S. set the national drinking age at 21, a movement is gaining traction to revisit the issue and cons... more
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Vermont latest to eye lower drinking age
More than two decades after the country established a uniform drinking age of 21, a nascent movement is afoot to allow 18- to 20-year-olds to legally buy alcohol under some circumstances. More than two decades after the country established a uniform drinking age of 21, a nascent movement is afoot to allow 18- to 20-year-... more
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"Best party ever, that's what everyone's saying."
This new generation of drinker is a scary one. The kids discussed in this article were only 16 and 17 years old and attacked police. Granted, I've never been to Australia- but I'm betting the liquor is the same-- and no booze would have me throwing bottles "and other missiles" (!?!) at the cops. missiles- what??
Maybe with time, maybe.
This new generation of drinker is a scary one. The kids discussed in this article were only 16 and 17 years old and attacked police. ... more -
Getting Sh*t-Faced Is Considered 'Cool'
Health campaigns highlighting the consequences of drinking too much could be failing because young people take pride in their drunken exploits, according to state-funded research. Advertisements that show someone being thrown out of a nightclub, being carried home or passing out in a doorway are often seen by young people as a typical story of a fun night out, rather than as a cautionary tale, it is claimed. While some adverts imply that being very drunk with friends carries a penalty of social disapproval, experts say that for many young people the opposite is often the case.
"Extreme inebriation is often seen as a source of personal esteem and social affirmation amongst young people... Tales of alcohol-related mishaps and escapades were key markers of young peoples' social identity. These 'drinking stories' also deepen bonds of friendship and cement group membership. Not only does being in a friendship group legitimise being very drunk - being the subject of an extreme drinking story can raise esteem within the group."
This is really disappointing, but to be honest, it's true I'm afraid. I think that this information is important and should be publicized. If anti-drink campaigns are going to be effective, they have to appeal to the sensibilities of their target audience. If they are inadvertently appealing to the wrong tastes, they will fail. There needs to be a better way to address underage binge drinking. I'm all for shock value. But real shock value. Nothing glamorised. Health campaigns highlighting the consequences of drinking too much could be failing because young people take pride in their drunken ... more -
Mom Helps Cheerleaders Grab Boys' Beer
She can be my team mom any day!
A woman let her teenage daughter lean out of a moving van to take beer from a vehicle that was driving alongside on a southeastern Nebraska highway, authorities said Wednesday.
Terry Kisling, 47, of Hickman, was driving the van of high school cheerleaders to a football game in Nebraska City earlier this month when a group of boys pulled up next to them in a sport-utility vehicle, Norris High School principal John Skretta said.
One of the girls apparently signaled to the boys and asked for a beer, and Kisling inched the van closer to the SUV, letting her daughter lean out to grab the can, he said. She can be my team mom any day! ... more -
Pub Limits Parents' Drinks
Popular UK pub chain J.D Wetherspoons have unveiled plans that parents who are out with their children will be limited to two alcoholic drinks.
The new rules have been introduced as the company are uncomfortable with children being on the premises for long lengths of time due to a lack of playing facilities.
The rule may also stretch as far as parent's even being refused soft drinks or coffee to curtail their stay.
This seems a little over the top to me, if adults are sitting in pubs all day with their kids then they should have their kids taken away, not just having their drinks curbed.
Popular UK pub chain J.D Wetherspoons have unveiled plans that parents who are out with their children will be limited to two alcoholi... more -
11 Yr. Old Drink-Driving
An 11-year-old girl was found behind the wheel of a car that she crashed after being chased by the police at speeds that exceeded 100 miles an hour. She had been drinking and when tested was intoxicated above the legal limit for adults. An 11-year-old girl was found behind the wheel of a car that she crashed after being chased by the police at speeds that exceeded 100 ... more
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Binge Drinking On The Rise In Mediterranean Countries, Study Suggests
Isn't binge drinking on the rise in people ages 18-35 too?
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UK binge culture
Britain has a lower drinking age than the US and they still have a binge problem. According to the BBC article, beginning at age 12 drinkers begin to outnumber non-drinkers. Again, it's the culture, not the laws.
I don't think it's about making something less taboo, but about instilling a culture of responsibility or, at least, not celebrating people who abuse alcohol regularly. Britain has a lower drinking age than the US and they still have a binge problem. According to the BBC article, beginning at age 12 d... more -
Letting Kids Drink Younger May Reduce Booze Binging
I'm from Montreal, where the legal drinking age is 18, and just a suggestion at that. We started going to bars and drinking in the 9th grade, and it was pretty out in the open - our parents knew, our older brothers and sisters knew, it was just what kids did, and it was socially accepted. There was always wine with dinner at our house, and my mother used to let me have a Bailey's Irish Cream whenever I asked for it instead of cake or ice cream for dessert.
Most of my friends and acquaintances from back home didn't go away to college to poison themselves sick with booze, because it was always so readily available and not at all a taboo. By the time we were in college, we had already been around alcohol enough to understand the ins and outs of the almighty hangover, and more importantly, we knew our limit.
Montreal is a French-based culture, and alcohol is a part of the lifestyle - it's something to be savored and enjoyed and yes, sometimes get a little buzzed on. From a pretty young age I understood that five tequila shots and eleven beers would not only ruin the evening, but it might put me in the hospital too.
Perhaps the same attitude could be helpful if adopted here. Thoughts? I'm from Montreal, where the legal drinking age is 18, and just a suggestion at that. We started going to bars and drinking in the 9th... more
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Drinking Age
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Drinking Age
