From a logical point of view, you're right, there should probably just be one legal age for everything but driver's permits. That would make everything nice and organized. However, from my point of view, i like having all these legal ages. It kinda gives me something to look forward to each year, instead of overwhelming me by giving me all these rights all at once. I think that if everything was handed to me all at the same exact time, i'd be too caught up in all the legal crap to remember anything.

BNuge : The drinking law is most likely set at 21 because your brain is still developing until roughly that point. Also, it does not apply in all states. In Wisconsin, you can drink at any age as long as you have a responsible parent with you.

Here in Missouri I'm already reading my drivers manuel and my brother who is 15 already has his permit because my mom says as soon as he turns 16 he's going to have to drive me around we've both already got our own cars she hates driving and she can't wait for all of her kids to be able to drive XD

Man, if you want to illegally ruin your body via cigarettes and alcohol, go ahead. But they really need to up the age for driving. You kids don't know how many time my life has almost ended because of an irresponsible kid behind the wheel. 16+ loud music+ texting while driving is a horrible equation.

there are a lot more but every age limit is for a reason some might be a bit useless but they are for our own goo

iceycold724 : I would have to agree icey, having the legal ages set at what theyre at it gives something to look forward to, something to be excited about, i mean what child when theyre parents were drinking or smoking, or swearing or doing something you knew was wrong, thinking they were the coolest people in the world and you wanted to be just like them. I'm not meaning that everyone who hits 21 should quickly hit the bar, but i also think that even with the legal age restrictions people under 21 will find a way to drink... and like was stated in a previous post in this thread, their are states in the US that allow the use of alcohol as long as their is a responsible adult watching.

Down here its 15 for permits and 16 you get ur lisense

21 for drinking.

18 to buy cigarretts gamble and etc



I find 18 years old for gambleing not good I guess. And The permit is fine with me its just bad for most kids around my age cause they are reckless which equals more wreaks ..


And they should move 21 drinking down to 18 lol

HELL YEAH theres too many age limits too much to keep track of!

it should be legal to do everything by the time your 16 because that's when everyone does it anyway like get drunk smoke dad lets you drive around in the car park will just make things simpler also if its at a younger age people will get used to drinking more and so binge drinking will decrease.... maybe

it seems kinda stupid you can own a gun from almost any age and buy one when youre 18 yet you cant buy alcohol until youre 21, yeh, thats smart.
also in the uk you are allowed to drink without supervision when youre 18, but not in public areas.
you can drink at any age though if you are supervised by a legal guardian, loopholes for the win.

Well I'm too young to really care but I think they should reduce age limits

They do have a lot of legal ages, but they do have that many for a reason...but one specific age would be nice or less ages.

The way I see it, these age restrictions are universal theories of responsibility: It is automatically assume that you will be responsible to certain degrees based on certain ages based on previous data. That has its flaws, depending how someone is raised. Someone might be competent to carry out these things at 15, other people at 25. I always felt there should rather be a way to measure the competence relating to the particular thing. The permit and drivers exam helps to a degree, but what about spreading it towards other aspects that currently requires a minimum age?

In Canada, you can legally drink and buy alcohol at 18 or 19, depending on the province and you can vote at 18 in most-all provinces. Actually most legal matters of becoming an adult falls in around 18-19 years old, with the exception of getting your permit which is usually 16 and being able to legally work part-full time at 16. It is nice that things are generally in a consistent range, but most people still got that "wild edge" then. I do suppose, though, they would still be doing these things anyways (specifically the drinking) so by having the limit lower at least fewer people are getting charged.

I agree with DNG. High age limits doesn't help, it just encourages younger people to do something illegally. I've been to the US and I think Americans' take on alcohol is all off BECAUSE the drinking age is so high. In lots of European countries alcohol is allowed as a much younger age, and its not made into a big deal, so therefore its not seen as a big deal and consumed.

My impression was also that Americans (aged 18-21) are mentally more immature than those from most other countries, and this is in part due to laws regarding alcohol, which treat them like children till an older age. I think 18 or maybe even 16 are far more reasonable ages.

If you disagree with me then please explain how you can join the Army at 17 (therefore be allowed to die for your country), and have a say in government (vote) at 18 but not be allowed to consume alcohol. It simply makes no sense.

P.S. I'm from the UK and they are actually considering RAISING the age for alcohol in some places to 21!