PUBLIC OPINION > Change the Drinking Age
SodaHead News
2011/11/17 17:00:00
Just yesterday, we posted a question about the legal drinking age, which was spurred by recent studies that seemed to suggest the drinking age affects homicide and suicide rates. According to the study, women who turned 18 between 1967 and 1989 (when the drinking age was 18) were at greater risk of committing suicide or homicide.
Of course, the correlation could be pure coincidence -- the difference was only by about 15 percent, and there were a couple of other things going on in the nation during that time. But it was a good excuse to rekindle the discussion and ask SodaHeads what they thought about the issue. We even had a chance to hear from some voters in the U.K., where the drinking age is already 18.
Of course, the correlation could be pure coincidence -- the difference was only by about 15 percent, and there were a couple of other things going on in the nation during that time. But it was a good excuse to rekindle the discussion and ask SodaHeads what they thought about the issue. We even had a chance to hear from some voters in the U.K., where the drinking age is already 18.
Should America's Legal Drinking Age Remain at 21?
53% Say Change the Age
After a few hundred votes, respondents favored a new drinking age by about 6%. Since the votes are still coming in, and the number is well within the margin of error, let's just call it a tie. To be clear, most respondents who voted to change the drinking age felt the drinking age should be lowered to 18, on the grounds that 18-year-olds are legal adults. The top comment read, "At 18 you can smoke, get a gun license, and join the military, but you're not old enough to drink?"
The Affected Age
Wouldn't you know it, younger voters think the drinking age should change. Voters within the "questionable" age range (18-24) were most likely to advocate a new drinking age, with 71% of them in favor of a change; voters in their 50s and 60s were directly opposed, with only 27% in favor of changing the law.
Wouldn't you know it, younger voters think the drinking age should change. Voters within the "questionable" age range (18-24) were most likely to advocate a new drinking age, with 71% of them in favor of a change; voters in their 50s and 60s were directly opposed, with only 27% in favor of changing the law.Brits and Boozing
In the U.K. (and much of the world) the drinking age is 18, and they seem to be pretty happy with it -- two-thirds of the British vote suggested America change the law. However, there was some disagreement among British voters, as well. One simply warned, "Here in the UK it's 18 years of age... Too many binge drinkers."
In the U.K. (and much of the world) the drinking age is 18, and they seem to be pretty happy with it -- two-thirds of the British vote suggested America change the law. However, there was some disagreement among British voters, as well. One simply warned, "Here in the UK it's 18 years of age... Too many binge drinkers."Drinkers on Juvies
Whatever the drinking age, not everyone will end up "a drinker," so it's important to differentiate between the drinking vote and the non-drinking vote. Drinkers were 17% more likely than non-drinkers to support changing the drinking age -- far less significant than the age difference.
Whatever the drinking age, not everyone will end up "a drinker," so it's important to differentiate between the drinking vote and the non-drinking vote. Drinkers were 17% more likely than non-drinkers to support changing the drinking age -- far less significant than the age difference.If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our original poll about America's drinking age. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
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strawberry 2011/11/17 07:12:42
+12I don't see any difference between ages 18 or 21 for drinking alcohol. People who drink will drink no matter what age. Once someone reaches teenage years it is difficult to change their habits. They have either matured through growing stages or did not mature.
At least today' most people are a lot more aware, and the cops really push DWI arrests which keeps knuckleheads like me and my buddies were in check.
But I still say men and women in Uniform deserve the right to drink at 18.
I believe the vote should be moved back to 21. It might have saved us from Obama.
I went to Utah with my ex-husband to visit his family for the first time while we were dating while there I watched as his mother provided his 12 year old sister with booze (she drank 1 bottle of rum, a bottle of tequila, and a bottle of vodka by herself in a weeks time) on top of that the mother supplied the 12 years friends with alcohol while I was there.
The first day that I was there (I was 17 at the time) she asked me if I wanted anything from the ABC store!
When you as a parent or adult encourage a teen to drink you are setting them up to abuse alcohol when they are older, maybe you might get lucky and they tire of drinking before they are 21 but most do not because they see it as a rite of passage so the age of 21 for drinking should stay!
So I'm in full agreement with you.
1. Purchasing an abortion
2. Purchasing 'medical' marijuana
3. Purchasing spray paint
4. Purchasing anything over the internet
5. Running for Congress?
1. Old enough to get pregnant.
2. Old enough to get a prescription from a doctor.
3. Any age... unless you have paint on your face.
4. Old enough to have a credit card.
5. 18!!! It couldn't be any worse?
It was okay go buy a pack a cigarettes for my dad, now you have to be 18.