Why is the drinking age in the U.S. 21?

A bunch of pissed off moms got the US government to essentially bribe states who did not raise their drinking age to 21. Unless states raised the drinking age to 21 they wouldn't get any government funding for highways and such. Some states, Georgia for example, kept it at 18 but without the money their roads became really bad so they had to raise the age.

Hallenbeck, Im about pretty sure you can drink at 18 if you're in the military. You have to be at a military base though.

Teenage drunk driving...

Although, if you are home at your house, under parrental supervision, it is perfectly legal.

Because American are too violent! no joking :)

Don't know

A bunch of pissed off moms got the US government to essentially bribe states who did not raise their drinking age to 21. Unless states raised the drinking age to 21 they wouldn't get any government funding for highways and such. Some states, Georgia for example, kept it at 18 but without the money their roads became really bad so they had to raise the age.

Hallenbeck, Im about pretty sure you can drink at 18 if you're in the military. You have to be at a military base though.

bebopoutlaw3gun

No..

[QUOTE="solidgamer"]

In england the drinking age is 18 but everyone starts drinking at 14/15

and you dont need ID to buy drink so if you look older then your pretty much set

maybe it is because in america everyone might start drinking at 16-18 i dunno can someone tell me?

skinnypete91

WTF are you talking about?

Not everyone starts drinking aged 14, and of course you need to produce ID, if the seller has any idea what they are doing. I'm 16 in 4 days and I have NEVER bought drink from a shop, so you are exaggerating, alot. Of course there is underage drinking, but that goes on in every country - there is always a way to get around the law.

no im not most parites i been to the people started drinking at 14-16 or there was drink at the party i think most people would agree with this. just because u never brought a drink from the shop does not mean im exaggerating

btw where do you live because that usally makes a difference because i live in london so their are alot of binge drinking teens :P

When I was 16 or maybe just turned 17I remember I was on a weekend trip with a bunch of mates and the place we were staying at had a great bar. All of my friends there were at least 18, mostly in the early 20's though. For some reason I had no problem walking up to the counter and asking for a drink. I expected to get turned away as usual and just have one of my friends get it but the girl didn't care. Great for me! Also I didn't start drinking when I was 14 or even really 15. I mean I had the odd drink here and there... but it really wasn't until well into 16 that I started drinking.

I got a question though, how old do you have to be to buy smokes? For some reason a while back I was under the impression that age didn't matter and I tried to buy some (17 at the time). I was drunk to be fair though. Anyway, got rejected :( You have to be 18.

What age around the world is the age for buying smokes legally?

[QUOTE="dooly420"][QUOTE="Hallenbeck77"]

My guess is it's because a good amount of teenagers here in the US are...well, frigging idiots.

freshgman

yea, i can get away with drinking right now (age 18) just because i look 19. I love Canada...:)

What age around the world is the age for buying smokes legally?

cheese_game619

Up here in Canada it's 19.

In england the drinking age is 18 but everyone starts drinking at 14/15

and you dont need ID to buy drink so if you look older then your pretty much set

maybe it is because in america everyone might start drinking at 16-18 i dunno can someone tell me?

solidgamer

Everyone starts drinking in high school, so pretty much the same age as in England. If you're not 21, it doesn't even matter, it's still very easy to get beer or liquor. You just can't get a beer at a bar until 21.

[QUOTE="solidgamer"]

In england the drinking age is 18 but everyone starts drinking at 14/15

and you dont need ID to buy drink so if you look older then your pretty much set

maybe it is because in america everyone might start drinking at 16-18 i dunno can someone tell me?

trix5817

Everyone starts drinking in high school, so pretty much the same age as in England. If you're not 21, it doesn't even matter, it's still very easy to get beer or liquor. You just can't get a beer at a bar until 21.

You're generalizing...I'm not drinking and I'm in high school...

It's probably because of the whole drinking and driving thing. Not that the law prevents it entirely from happening, but I think that it does prevent it from happening more often.smokeydabear076

Blah I'm happy i don't live in the U.S :) Less crowded here, better laws, free health care and not so many fat chicks (Though there are lots but that's how it is in every country) uhh what else...yeah hockey watch it.

Though im probably going to be bashed to @(#@

So ill just answer with a simple answer? (lol?)

To many people who carry guns in America who are 18-21 years old. Blame the gangsters ftw or bush everybody blames him lol.

XileLord

and yet Americans make more money then Canadians.