To think that age 21 to drink is stupidly high?

[brutplonk]

Why is the US so unfriendly towards under 21's? I feel really sorry for their young people who have to go to university and not be able to experience being a real adult.

You can join the army and die for the country, but you cannot drink alcohol.

Of course I understand clubs/bars stipulating 21+ if they want an older/more grown up clientele.

It means that many families with older children won't visit, as they can't even drink wine with a meal.

Both my dc's were in US literally days before their 21sts
DS on a 3 week road trip with us, we used to order a beer for me and he would have it, staff werent bothered. Dcs still had a brilliant time (dd was 18)

DD did camp america before her 21st this september and in some ways it was good. One lad got so drunk on the wednesday half price alcohol night down the road, came back totally out of his brain and climbed into the wrong bunk and threw up all over a child, he was fired. It was against the rules to be drunk on site anyway and at least dd didnt have that temptation

Bruffin, that’s not my experience at all. We travel to the US most years and 23yo DS came with us last year. He was ID’d for alcohol every time. He looks youngish (no facial hair) but he doesn’t look late teens. We were in major cities both on the East and West coasts.

It’s 18 here now and we have 15 year old getting drunk

You work it out

tulips, that is pretty lazy reasoning and very weak. You think young people in the US don't get drunk privately and in secret?

It's no wonder they have such a huge drug culture

I don't think they are being unfriendly. I wish it was the same in the UK. Do you honestly believe the majority of 18 year olds are responsible enough to go out drinking?? As time goes on, teenagers seem to be getting 'younger' as well.

It's always baffled me that you can buy a gun and join the army* at 18 but can't buy a beer.

(*two separate things, I don't think the economy has gotten that bad that the military a running a 'bring your own gun' campaign just yet!)

It does seem silly that 18-20 year olds are not treated fully as adults,they should be; but this is only booze we’re talking about. Nothing vital or important. It is possible to live a happy healthy and fulfilled life without it.
It is not essential to the experience of being a real adult.

Also a reasonable number of states where the age of consent means you could be responsible for a 6-7 year child’s life before you are allowed to drink a beer

With how cheap or is to drive at 16, I think the alcohol laws are sensible.

We don't have the same numbers of 16-21 year olds, from all walks of life, driving.

I think it works well with college/uni tbh. Also now kids are staying at school until 18 not 16 as well as lots more going on to further education.
I thought I was a grown up at 18 but I was irresponsible and immature.
There is evidence our brains are not grown up under 21 (or older even) and we are more prone to risk taking behaviours, and make poor decisions. I think it's right that we think kids need guidance through their teens and early adulthood now. Those years set you up for the rest of your life, for better or for worse. So better that they are spent building lives and developing personalities, not just getting hammered.