AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 01
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Keep the drinking age at 21
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I know there are some kids who could handle the responsibility that goes with alcohol consumption at the age of 14, and I know several adults in their 50’s who have no business being near a can of beer, much less hard liquor. So I get it - being 21 does not automatically make anyone suddenly more responsible. But a benchmark is needed and that’s as good as any.
When I turned 18 the state law in Georgia allowed me legal access to booze and I took full advantage. And I was a late bloomer because some classmates had learned how to alter their driver’s license and had been drinking for a couple of years.
And if you knew the right places to go here in Sandy Springs you didn’t even need a fake ID. The bartender would just ask if you were 18 with a wink and you were off to the races.
Some say it would be a good thing if we were more like some European countries where kids grow up having wine with dinner. It would take much of the mystery out of drinking and leave some less likely to go wild when they finally leave home.
Both our kids were able to travel to Europe after they graduated from high school, and both drank while across the pond. So by the time they left for college any curiosity had been satisfied. But I don’t think a sudden culture shift is going to help.
I had my first drink at 16. My dad offered me a beer and when I recovered from the shock he laid out the rules. Only one. I was not allowed to get one without permission. And once I drank it I was not to leave the house the rest of the night.
There is the argument: “If I’m old enough to serve in the military at 18 I should be old enough to drink.” Great. Enlist, get through basic training and I’ll be happy to revisit the discussion. But don’t tell me your freedom is being abridged because you can’t legally drink until you’re 21. The Constitution wasn’t written to guarantee a good keg party.
Keeping the drinking age at 21 will means less kids under age dying from binge drinking or from wrapping their car around a phone pole while driving drunk. Not to mention anyone they might crash into.
If you are reading this and thinking the drinking age of 21 is The Man keeping you down, you’re right. And may you live with that resentment for years to come.
