What Is The Right Legal Age To Start Drinking?
October 30, 2008 by Susan Denny
I read somewhere on the internet that in France they want to change the drinking age limit from 16 to 18 years old.
Some people may be horrified at the thought of their 16 year olds drinking any type of alcohol, but in France, as in some other European countries, children grow up having a small glass of wine with their meals. To them it’s a way of life.
Provided these children are supervised as to when they are allowed to have a drink, there should not be any problem. It’s only when they party with friends who have not grown up in that culture, that the drinking can get out of hand. They not only drink wine but also get into the hard liquors which cause the problems.
In the USA the legal drinking age is 21, but on the other hand they allow their kids to have a driving licence at age 16. This suggests that kids are responsible enough to drive but not to consume alcohol.
Here in Australia the legal age for drinking is 18. Because of the prevalence of binge drinking, I personally believe we should adopt the culture of the Europeans and teach our kids the responsible way to drink, or raise the legal age limit to 21.
We cannot stop our kids from drinking alcohol. If they don’t drink it at home, they will get it elsewhere. Why don’t we as adults, take the lead and teach our kids the responsible and sensible way to consume alcohol.
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