The disparity between the drinking age (21) and the age of majority (18) is nonsensical.
theandrewwest said 04/15, 03:44 PM
At eighteen, an individual has the presence of mind to enlist in the military. This point has been made many times over, but the significance is often lost. To put it in perspective, a young man or woman is trained in marksmanship, tactical, and survival techniques then, when the need arises, is shipped off to kill or be killed. As of last month, 4,000 American soldiers have died in Iraq -- how many were under 21? Those who weren't killed then have to live with the experiences of war and the knowledge that they've taken lives. Unsurprisingly, Posttramatic Stress Disorder is prevalent among veterans.Of course, when they return home, they had better not let anyone catch them drinking. They could be arrested for ABC violation.
One argument in favor of the current law suggests they are in place to protect the health and well-being of individuals under 21. If the minimum age of enlistment doesn't already render that a moot point, let me bring up the smoking age: 18. The harmful effects of tobacco are well-documented, as is the addictive nature of nicotine. Who are we protecting again?
An adult should have the right to decide what they do or do not consume.
Canti said 04/16, 10:27 PM
The drinking age is higher than the smoking age because smoking does not cause highway fatalities, and is not significantly linked to them. The goal appears to me to be chiefly to add experience to drivers to allow them to make some sort of decision about their by-then developed driving abilities, and to help give them some context in which to make the choice to drink and drive or not. Of course, I'm not advocating drinking and driving, but it is of course a possibility (just look at the number of alcohol related fatalities 15829 in 2006). It is intended to provide some extra time to gain experience. I concede that the danger posed by tobacco is as significant and probably greater than that of alcohol, but nowadays I'm bombarded with Stamp Out Smoking ads from the state in pretty much every commercial break on any given network, except maybe NBC, which is weird, but it might be an affiliate thing... the point is that people at age 18 should have seen enough anti-smoking propaganda (it is just that) to make an informed decision regarding smoking cigarettes.
The age of majority is acceptable, though I feel it should be higher, but the disparity exists for a legitimate reason.
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