In 1984 the Federal Government enacted a measure that withheld federal highway money from states where the legal drinking age was below 21. The goal, of course was to force states into raising the age to drink alcohol and it worked. For those of us in the Philadelphia region, it meant an end to long summer nights partying in the clubs down at the Jersey shore. The act was a death knell for places like Wildwood, NJ where the under 21 crowd filled dance and comedy clubs to capacity and made a "Vacancy" sign on a weekend night at any of the islands hotels rarer than a steak at Neil's. What it did not do in all of it's 24 years on the books was stop underage drinking. In fact, many people contend that it actually increased alcohol consumption by those under age 21. Instead of dancing and gathering together to hear the latest comedian while enjoying a cocktail, now young adults hole up in someones dorm room or basement where alcohol and the drunks it produces actually are the entertainment. Binge drinking has increased since 1984 and according to JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association) 30% of high school students admit to binge drinking at least monthly. This "all or nothing" approach to alcohol has not done our country well. Last weekend our nephews (age 18 and 20) from Italy came to visit, they will be here for another two weeks. Today they accompanied another family member to Penn State where the opening of Fall class is heralded by rounds of Beer Pong and Keg Stands. They were amused and confused by this riotous behavior and are baffled by the allure alcohol holds for American teens. They share their experience with me while sipping wine at dinner. I ask them if they remember their first drink and they laugh, it is inconsequential and therefore not memorable. I doubt most American kids would answer that way. Perhaps it is time we reconsider the way alcohol is presented to American youth. Instead of being illegal until some arbitrary age, it should be introduced slowly as something to be enjoyed in the same manner as fine food. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act is set to expire in 2009. Mindful consideration and intelligent conversation should precede any decision to extend the Act.
3 comments:
In 1977 I moved to the States at the ripe age of 15. I was a malleable young man, full of hormones and looking to experiment just about anything. No longer subject to the tirrany of my father, but still missed my old way of life. I was a stranger in a new world so I began to eat and sleep english 24/7 so that I could begin my assimilation into the American culture and hopefully get a girlfriend! Fast forward to the summer of 78...disco was dead and after a few months of learning English, Springsteens ballads, "The Who" rifts and a quick introduction to the Ramones I began making new friends and stopped longing for the world that I knew. That summer, friday nights were spent hanging out with my new friends outside the local bowling alley. One thing that I remember and totally surprised me was the ferocity to which all of my friends wanted to purvey and consume alchohol. It was not a big deal to me. It was never taboo and therefore I could never experience the same high that they were experiencing during the "chase for booze ". I did not come from an alchoholic family, however, wine, aperitifs and digestive and home made alcoholic drinks were a staple at our table. My house, along with that of my grandfather and uncle, looked like a fully stocked liquor stores. A collection of hundreds of little ( called mignot ) alcohol bottles, along with rare full size bottles adorned all of our walls. I did come from a country where alchohol is not hidden in dark and dungy bars, but part of a daily meal. A country where your typical bar will sell you alchohol, coffe, ice cream and snacks. A country where I could buy my 14 year old a shot and a beer if so desired. I was always amazed that you can drive a car at 16, die for your country and vote for a president at 18 and yet not able to legally consume alchohol. The US is not on the right road when it comes to policing the vice of alcohol. Puritanism runs deep and we are still not free from the Prohibition. Discussions are needed for a better system in place, because I would rather finance an education that a 4 year party.
In 1977 I moved to the States at the ripe age of 15. I was a malleable young man, full of hormones and looking to experiment just about anything. No longer subject to the tirrany of my father, but still missed my old way of life. I was a stranger in a new world so I began to eat and sleep english 24/7 so that I could begin my assimilation into the American culture and hopefully get a girlfriend! Fast forward to the summer of 78...disco was dead and after a few months of learning English, Springsteens ballads, "The Who" rifts and a quick introduction to the Ramones I began making new friends and stopped longing for the world that I knew. That summer, friday nights were spent hanging out with my new friends outside the local bowling alley. One thing that I remember and totally surprised me was the ferocity to which all of my friends wanted to purvey and consume alchohol. It was not a big deal to me. It was never taboo and therefore I could never experience the same high that they were experiencing during the "chase for booze ". I did not come from an alchoholic family, however, wine, aperitifs and digestive and home made alcoholic drinks were a staple at our table. My house, along with that of my grandfather and uncle, looked like a fully stocked liquor stores. A collection of hundreds of little ( called mignot ) alcohol bottles, along with rare full size bottles adorned all of our walls. I did come from a country where alchohol is not hidden in dark and dungy bars, but part of a daily meal. A country where your typical bar will sell you alchohol, coffe, ice cream and snacks. A country where I could buy my 14 year old a shot and a beer if so desired. I was always amazed that you can drive a car at 16, die for your country and vote for a president at 18 and yet not able to legally consume alchohol. The US is not on the right road when it comes to policing the vice of alcohol. Puritanism runs deep and we are still not free from the Prohibition. Discussions are needed for a better system in place, because I would rather finance an education that a 4 year party.
I, too, agree with your writings re the legal drinking age. My daughter , being 19, can drive a car, be gainfully employed, join the armed forces to protect our country, vote AND became a mother BUT cannot legally drink alcohol! The secrecy of obtaining the alcohol and then consuming to the point of not making wise decisions is what helped her become a young mother. Saddly, my generation did the same, but once we became of legal age the excitement of doing a "taboo" thing lost it's appeal. Perhaps we can help change the laws so we can treat alcohol like Italy does.
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