<p>I agree about universities not being able to determine who is 18 vs. 21, however my perspective is that many students (some with undiagnosed disabilities and some “hidden”) are in no way capable of managing their lives in college. I know the mantra – “they’re adults now” – however this is simply not the truth for many. They suddenly go from the safety and oversight of high school and living at home to being “cut loose” as if they’ve crossed some magic line of maturity that happens simply because they’re suddenly in college. It’s an arbitrary line that, for many students, works against them even if they don’t realize it.</p>
<p>I know many students who have and are struggling for just this reason. And while colleges try to provide counseling and intervention, the reality is that the brain is not fully developed until they are close to 24 <em>and</em> the level of freedom is simply more than they can manage. Drinking is just one of the issues and parents have good reason to be alert and to know their children and their readiness.</p>
<p>Here’s another parent who is okay with the 21 drinking age. I’ve been to European countries in the last few years, and there are enormous problems with teenagers staggering around drunk, even in the daytime. Many people in those countries are discussing raising the drinking ages.</p>
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<p>Personally, I’m more about protecting innocent people from drunk drivers than I am protecting people from themselves. I’d raise the drinking age to 30 or higher if it would result in fewer innocent people being killed or maimed by drunk drivers.</p>
<p>So, maybe the question is simply this: What drinking age is the “magic age” to protect the most innocent people from the behavior of those who drink? Do we have enough information to make that call? I believe that mini has cited studies showing that raising the drinking age to 21 has saved lives.</p>
<p>MD Mom - That does sound like a close call. I’m glad it all ended up okay.</p>
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This is the difficulty. I’ll play devil’s advocate - I’m sure if the age was increased to 25 there’d be even more lives saved (especially in light of research into brain development to that point) and if it was raised to 31 even more and if outlawed altogether, even more. But outside of outlawing it altogether, which likely very few would support, the age is somewhat arbitrary and some compromise between being restrictive to achieve some gain on the purpose (fewer alcohol issues) and being permissive to allow adults independence. Even the age of being ‘an adult’ is arbitrary - in the USA it’s at 18 but this could just as well have been another age. Why isn’t it 19 because there are still quite a few 18 y/o in HS? Why isn’t it 17 because there are quite a few 17 y/o who have graduated HS and are now on their own whether in the workforce or in college?</p>
<p>Given how arbitrary it is, and given that short of prohibition there needs to be some drinking age selected and there needs to be some definition of the legal adult age and given the other aspects of legal independence at 18 and the fact that many 18 y/o must be fully responsible for themselves (regardless of how successful they are at it) and the parents are no longer under any legal obligation, it seems that 18 probably IS the most appropriate age for drinking so it’s in line with the other legal aspects of adulthood despite the ‘fact’ that there’ll be more issues as a result (but then there are more issues at 21 than 31 so why allow 21?). </p>
<p>Now, given that, then we should also do away with the silly notion that a ‘child’ up to age 26 is legally entitled to be on the parents’ health insurance. Given the arguments, there s/b no legal requirement for an insurance company to accept up to such an elderly age. (I’m not trying to branch this discussion into the health care debate - just using it as an example to reconcile these arbitrary ‘ages of the law’ and show how this was likely done for a practical purpose - much like the drinking age of 18, whether it philosophically makes sense or not).</p>
<p>Here’s an outside the box suggestion for reducing alcohol related deaths, legalize marijuana. Students looking to indulge would be better off getting high then binge drinking. Overall it is less abusive on the body and tends to mellow people out rather have them exhibit violent behavior. One of the things we as a society continue to ignore is that alcohol is a depressant and young people are not equipped to handle that responsibly.</p>
That wouldn’t do it. Most of them can likely get it already if they want it but some I’m sure would rather drink to excess than doing various drugs. Of course, some want to do a variety of each. </p>
<p>Now that there are some states where mj is legal, and some other states have minimal penalties, I’m sure some studies are probably being done about whether there’s the type of impact you are theorizing might happen.</p>
<p>Personally I think it’s stupid to indulge in marijuana but I also think it’s stupid to get drunk. Neither is a good choice.</p>
<p>This will no doubt sound callous.Drinking culture in the US is glorified and glamorized.Until we as parents and elders de-glamorize it our youth will follow our example.Beyond that Darwin still has a place.</p>
<p>Doesn’t sound callous, it sounds logical. As a society we are in denial about the effects of alcohol. Most of the outrae is pointed towards DWI offenses, but alcohol abuse goes way beyond that and until we stop glorifying it as you correctly pointed out, nothing is going to change.</p>
<p>I got a nice advice from my parents on safe drinking, and I am happy to share it with you. </p>
<ol>
<li>Drink a glass of water before any alcoholic drink.</li>
<li>Never drink mixed drinks.</li>
<li>You can drink as much as you like, but after <em>each</em> alcoholic drink, you have to drink a glass of water. </li>
</ol>
<p>Well given that the drinking age isn’t going to change any time soon, what are ways that colleges can reduce binge drinking assuming their demographics and locations remain the same?</p>
<p>My younger child is at Ohio University, a college that has had a pretty strong party rep for a while. OU would like to get rid of that reputation. Its policy is that if you are caught drinking on campus underage two times, you are sent home. Your parents are notified on the first offense. I do not know how hard the U is looking for drinkers on campus, but I think it has driven the drinking off campus and alcohol is pretty accessible.</p>
<p>My college has a somewhat similar policy although they don’t notify parents (that seems like a huge privacy violation). I hate it because it forces the parties off campus, resulting in more drinking and driving. The school tries to combat it with free safe ride vouchers but many students end up not using these.</p>
<p>Whenhen, the kids probably sign something to have parents notified whether they know it or not. I think that they were required to do some kind of alcohol education program, which is something more and more colleges are doing.</p>
<p>“Well given that the drinking age isn’t going to change any time soon, what are ways that colleges can reduce binge drinking assuming their demographics and locations remain the same?”</p>
<p>Not allow alcohol at fraternity or sorority houses. If they have it they get closed down. Campus bars are much more easily regulated. I think I would also educate those that are legally allowed to drink. They are breaking the law by allowing minors to drink on their premises since they are not parents. Rather than kick them out of school, have them go to court and have a progressive fine $100 first offense, $500 second, $5000 third, $25000 fourth. People will get the idea.</p>
<p>Many Greek houses are not on campus, privately owned and not subject to school controls. Also many members are 21. Campus bars owners are usually local business people with many friends in local politics. You don’t threaten a livelihood without pushback. Students come and go–business owners are permanent residents.</p>
<p>However, there is campus recognition; apparently the fraternities and sororities value that enough, at least at some campuses, that they are willing to go dry rather than become completely unaffiliated off-campus clubs.</p>
<p>Additionally, some national fraternities organizations are requiring their chapters to go dry.</p>