More homework help please :)

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 10-16-2008, 07:00 PM

The human brain is still developing at age 18 (and keeps doing so until around age 20-22 or so) so using a mind-altering substance is definitely not a good idea! Also, addictive behaviors tend to develop the younger people use substances. My husband is an addictions counselor and told me that brain chemistry actually changes (permanently) when teens become addicted to substances. So they are far more likely to keep drinking and develop problems as a result of starting early.

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter! I hope she feels better soon.

**boomersooner** · 10-16-2008, 07:02 PM

Maybe that most kids are 18 or turn 18 while they are still in high school......

**sasvermont** · 10-16-2008, 07:10 PM

www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810616.PDF

**Husky_mom** · 10-17-2008, 04:44 PM

I can´t be of much help... legal age here is 18... and many many kids start at 14-15.. obviously sneaking around...

when I was that age I saw many kids came drunk at school or hang over...

so I guess keeping the legal age there at 21 will make the 18 yr olds drink and not the 14´s... but maybe it just when they feel like it... I don´t know as I don´t drink and have never had not even the desire to taste it.. so every head is a world and some despite their age will try it never minding legal age...

but 21 is supposedly to be a more responsible stage and supposedly kids won´t be drinking as if it was their last...

one example... a 14-16 yr old drinks let´s say 30 beers.. and hes like if nothing happened.. a 21-23 may drink the same and start getting woozy faster... maybe because metabolism is faster in younger people... not sure... and again no body/mind is alike...

**Karen** · 10-17-2008, 05:21 PM

Having the drinking age be 18 would likely increase the incidence of drunk driving. Teenagers more than even slightly older adults feel invincible and that they aren't "drunk" when they get behind the wheel, or think they can handle it, when in fact their judgement is impaired. Teens already have more accidents than other age groups ... you want to add to that?

Okay, now for what I really believe - which contradicts what I wrote above:

If it is okay for you to join the military and risk your life and limb, quite literally, for the good of the country, at age 18, why should you not be able to have a beer afterward?

If it is okay for you to vote, and effect the outcome of the world in that way, why should there be a different age for you to legally drink?

Not that I want drunkards voting, but if you think 18 is old enough to sacrifice your life, or to be responsible enough to cast a vote, why is drinking denied?