Originally Posted by thepeach80

Not in the US, I'm pretty sure the drinking age is a federal thing, it's 21 across the board b/c it used to be different and kids would just cross borders to drink. When you become an adult varies by state though, here it's 19. You can't buy lottery tickets till then, you can't buy smokes till then, and we have a graduate license program so while you can drive at 16, you have some pretty strict rules you have to follow and a curfew I believe. I started driving at 14, but in Alaska it's necessary to get kids used to driving on the roads that are almost always snowy.

I graduated right after I turned 17, went right to work and then college. Moved 1/2 way across the country from my parents at 19 and got married at 21. I don't see what changing the ages will accomplish personally. I drank before 21, just b/c it wasn't legal didn't stop me. I think some are hoping lowering the age will reduce the stigma and make kids want to drink less, but I don't see it happening. Americans put too much emphasis on drinking being 'fun' and it's too alluring for kids no matter the age limit. The kids I knew that drank a lot in hs had parents who didn't care, they got it from them! Making them able to buy it on their own the same time they are graduating (though I did have someone graduate w/ me who was 21 and he did go to the bar on his birthday!) and the same time they are learning to drive and going to college etc seems like a lot at one time for some kids, it's like adult overload. Maybe a graduated system would work, drive at 18 (though I think there should be exceptions seeing as how I graduated at 17), smoke and lottery at 19, 20 for voting, drinking for 21 etc. Give them something to look forward to every year and hopefully give them time to mature each year before increasing their responsibility.