Lowering the legal drinking age?
In what is already causing a backlash from organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and possibly heaven, college presidents across the country are calling for the lowering of the legal drinking age from 21 to 18, saying that the current limit encourages binge drinking on campus.
The group is called the Amethyst Initiative and it includes college presidents from about 100 universities, including Duke, Dartmouth and Ohio State.
“I’m not sure where the dialogue will lead, but it’s an important topic to American families and it deserves a straightforward dialogue,” said William Troutt, Rhodes (Memphis) president.
Of course, MADD isn’t buying it at all. In fact, MADD officials are asking parents to think carefully when considering the safety of colleges whose presidents have already signed on to the movement.
“It’s very clear the 21-year-old drinking age will not be enforced at those campuses,” said Laura Dean-Mooney, national president of MADD.
The group’s members say college students will drink no matter what, but when it’s illegal, that’s when the current law encourages a “culture of dangerous, clandestine binge-drinking.” They also note that while adults under 21 can vote and join the military, they “are told they are not mature enough to have a beer.”
A complete list of college presidents that have already signed on to seek “an informed and dispassionate debate” on the issue can be found at the movement’s website in the signatory section. And yes, we’ve already looked. The words “University of Arkansas” are nowhere to be found.
Is lowering the legal age of drinking a no-brainer or is this movement just wasting its time?
[Via commercialappeal.com]
Comments
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By JTrain on August 22nd, 2008
College!
By Bluto on August 22nd, 2008
“Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”
By Taylor on August 22nd, 2008
The Amethyst Initiative’s founder, John McCardell, means business. He was the president of my college when I was a freshmen and he’s scary good at public speaking. He’s primarily a historian, specializing in Southern History, but he’s been working on this for years, and he seems to be gaining momentum…
By Angel Lust on August 23rd, 2008
That is actually pretty shocking.
When I was in college in Ohio, you could get “3.2% beer” at 18 and everything else had to wait until you were 21. So weed snuck in there as the low beer back-up. Between partying and working full time, it took me 5+ years to get my degree. If I’d had access to the full liquor cabinet, I’d still be hawking refreshments at Cleveland sporting events.
I’m usually pretty much for personal liberty but it seems like a big deal to make when there are other more important issues to which these presidents shoud be devoting their energies.
(You stole Dean Wermer’s line there Bluto.)
By reed on August 23rd, 2008
It’s discouraging that MADD distances itself from intelligent debate, considering that this group is trying to encourage responsible drinking habits like not driving around while hammered. Questioning the “safety” of these schools is total BS, especially in the case of Troutt who, in addition to being a tool, has established a very strict alcohol policy at Rhodes, even at the expense of students above the legal drinking age.
By Schleuss on August 23rd, 2008
“College presidents across the country are” NOT “calling for the lowering of the legal drinking age from 21 to 18,” as you all claim. They want a discussion on the issue.
The University of Arkansas has spoken out against the movement. However, it seems unwise to take a position on a potentially devastating issue.
Think college enrollment. Think conservative south. Think about where you want your kid to go to college. Think, does a parent have enough authority over their child?
Maybe students from overprotective families shouldn’t drink.
It’s a decent issue, especially near the presidential race. Personally, I’d like to see more research comparing the United States to other countries. I think our drinking culture is whack, but then again I’m a softy for some Blue Moon. (and I’m not 21)
Amen college!
By scryberwitch on August 25th, 2008
It seems the only argument against this proposed deal is that immature college kids might screw up. Well, guess what folks, that’s called life! Simply coddling people through life because they aren’t capable enough to make decisions for themselves is not a solution. At age 18, you are legally an adult. I’ve never understood why you’re an adult in all things *except* that you can’t drink.
Check out a book called “Just Say Yes” that explores how by hiding and prohibiting alcohol from young people, we don’t teach them how to drink responsibly – so once they get the chance to drink, they binge.
We need a practical common-sense approach to drinking and drug use. Prohibition only makes things worse.
By jones on August 25th, 2008
When you guys first heard about this was your first thought not, “I bet these universities are supporting this so they can sell beer at football games and make a ton of money”, it was mine.
This is an interesting issue. When I first heard about it I was definately against it because there just really didn’t seem like any good reason to reverse what we are already doing. Anytime this comes up it is undoubtedly agrued from someone not 21, which invalidates it for me totally. Sorry, but it’s true. Also, I saw the MADD statsitcs on the news about how the number of drunk driving fatalities has decreased since raising the drinking limit to 21.
But the notion of prohibition making things worse is interesting, but not enough to change my mind. It doesn’t seem necessary to lower the drinking age in order to properly educate someone about drinking. If this were the case, get rid of the age limit altogether.
In my opinion, the best reason for lowering the drinking age would be to allow soldiers under 21 to drink. It seems absolutely ridiculous that you can go kill someone for your government, but you can’t enjoy a beer at a baseball game.
By Wooderson on August 29th, 2008
You know what I like about them high school girls, man…
I get older, they stay the SAME age…
By Jason Young on May 6th, 2009
The drinking age should be abolished. It removes personal responsibility from young adults and leads to the US having the highest rates of binge drinking and alcoholism in the world. The lower the drinking age in a country the lower their problems with alcohol over the long term. Instead of learning to drink responsibility from older people at restaurants and public events; young adults (Age 13+) learn how to drink from their friends in seclusion and privacy. Prohibition does not work. It has never worked and it will never work or be compatible with a free society.