Drinking Underage

[luv2show]

I was curious what your thoughts on this topic were. You can share personal stories or experiences if you like, but you certianly don't have to. :)
Any thoughts on teens getting drunk, or tipsy? Is it okay around family but not friends? (I've heard it all, LOL) When did you begin "drinking"?
I thought this was an interesting topic to discuss. :popcorn:

[Pinky]

As the drinking age is lower here, we're far more relaxed.

It's entirely normal for kids to be going out and getting drunk (like...nearly passed out drunk) from the age of 13. I don't agree with it; it just happens.
I've been out with my friends and we've gotten drunk - but not to the extreme. Generally we're only drunk enough to have hangovers in the morning.;)

People in my year have parties (without asking parents) and people there will get so drunk the cops will come round and at least one person will end up with a broken bone. It happens and it's funny as heck for eveyone who didn't go because you get to laugh at all the idiots who got caught. :p

If kids get stupidly drunk underage, big deal. It's their faults for being daft enough to get in such a state! Peer pressure plays a big part ;)
Moral of the story - Unless you want to sleep through Geography, don't drink on a school night :D (not me!)

[ownedby7horses]

Well, I was a partier when I was a teen.
I got drunk lots of times. It cost me my highschool diploma actually. I would get drunk at lunch time with my friends, then go to school drunk. I would get into fights (because that's what happens when you were me & loaded) and it landed me expelled from school.

I worked in a bar a few years ago, and really developed a bad taste for "drunks" now. I can't stand it when people are drunk around me. I don't mind a social drink now & then, but I can't handle "drunkeness".
I just don't have the patience for it anymore I guess.

I also really hate it when people drive drunk. That one will never cease to be a thorn in my side. IMO, if you can afford to drink, you can afford a cab ride home.

I dunno, no tolerance for alcohol anymore I guess.

[Dixie]

I don't think it is ever ok for kids to drink. During highschool we had some parents that would host parties and supply alcohol, they had rules like, if you drank you had to stay the night etc, but even so it's still wrong. Not just because it is illegal. Kids do not know their limits or when to say when, their brains simply do not function that way yet. I've had friends die and nearly die from alcohol poisoning. Not a pretty thing. Kids do it to be 'cool'. My sister was one of those teens, she was on the verge of being an alcoholic at 16 and why? Because it was cool to drink. My own boys will not be allowed to drink in my home or else where until they are of legal age and if I find out a parent or other adult supplied the alcohol knowingly? I will turn them in, it is just way to dangerous.

I don't drink a whole lot now and never have, maybe 2 -4x a year and it is never to get smashed. One or two beers or something like that, but that's it. The last time I got what would be considered drunk was over a year ago and it was with friends, at a friends home. No kids around, just adults having fun. Even then I was not a sloppy drunk and knew when to say when.

[mlle_beau]

I think it depends. Going to a kegger is pretty stupid at any age, because that sort of party encourages risky behavior. But I will drink wine with my dinner occasionally and stuff like that, if I wanted a beer at my house I could probably have one but I don't like beer. And I certainly wouldn't be allowed to have more than one. I feel like if the drinking age was lower here (18 maybe) it wouldn't be such a taboo thing and that might help prevent binge drinking and stuff. Drinking and driving is bad no matter what, if you're 15 or 50.

ETA: As far as the drinking age at 18 goes, I agree with the people who question how our soldiers are considered old enough to die for us at 18 but not old enough to have a drink. Does that make sense to you?

[outriding01]

I stand with the "if you're old enough to fight and die for your country, you're old enough to have a drink" crowd. I did next to no drinking in high school. My parents would let me have a drink at family things if I wanted, but I never had the urge beyond that. I was always just too busy with horses I guess. I don't think high school kids should be drinking because there's just way too much peer pressure.

Now college is another story. I had to go buy a new phone yesterday (an iPhone!) because I went out clubbing with friends Friday night, go drunk, ended up on the phone with my ex, got angry and threw my phone against a wall and broke it :doh:

I feel like in college, there's enough diversity that people can easily find a group that they're comfortable being themselves with, so there's a lot less of that pressure to be cool, because to the people you hang out with, you already are. Not saying the pressure is totally eliminated, but it's definitely not as intense. I know people I go to school with who don't drink at all, and no one else cares or pushes them to. There's no reason. More beer for us I guess! ;) If you're in college and on your own, you either learn your limits or you get in trouble and it's on you, no one else. If you're not mature enough to handle it then... well Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection comes into play I guess!

[Dixie]

mlle it does make sense, I've questioned that before too. You can vote and go military but you can't drink.

Sad thing is, lowering the drinking age wouldn't prevent binge drinking. So many college students do it weekly it is insane. Even the underage ones, so lowering it, will only encourage people to do it more at least in the college age group because they don't risk being 'caught'.

In other countries where drinking is more of a daily life thing, it is looked at differently. In France kids begin to have wine with their meals at a very early age, the amount is increased as they get older, but it is a custom there ya know? Comparing that sort of thing like our drinking ways to another country really is like comparing apples in oranges simply because it is so different. I'm not against drinking and do think it is something that should be thought more about and something done perhaps so kids don't look at it as such a taboo thing to sneak off and do ya know? Different practices all together would help a lot but binge drinking would still happen at weekend parties.

[FredRock]

I'm also one of the "if you're old enough to die for our country..." people. I just think it's a messed up world when you can die for someone but goodness forbid you drink.

As far as what I think past that, if you want to go ahead and get drunk, by all means, do. Just man up and get someone who isn't drunk to give you a ride home. You'd be surprised how many people I know whose parents would rather know they were drinking and give them a ride home than make them drive home drunk. That said, I think it's idiotic and a waste of time to get drunk in public. Really you're just going to make a fool of yourself and possibly do things you'll only regret.

I never plan on getting drunk in pbulic, but I wouldn't mind giving my friends rides homw if they choose to.

[LittleRedMare]

I've never really seen the appeal of drinking, but I think I'm sort of an oddity that way. I'll have an occasional glass of wine or vodka cooler but that's it. I'm 23. I've never felt any pressure to drink even when my friends were, but I do avoid parties where I know getting drunk is the only goal. But my sister is 16 and many of her friends drink. I know she's gone to parties where she is one of maybe two people not drinking and it's hard on her- not because she feels pressured to drink but because she can't have fun with her friends because they're all too wasted to even know where they are. I think it's ridiculous, and these parties are happening with parents in the house. The legal drinking age is 19 here and it doesn't seem to have an effect on underage drinking.

[Blue]

I've never understood why people drink...I'm in High School, never been pressured into doing any sort of drugs or anything, I've never tasted wine or alchohol and I plan on keeping it that way.

[Aina]

Good for you. Just watch out, when you get to college it will get harder. I was in one class and a guy was just hammering a girl for not drinking. I have never drank either and never will, but I can see how someone would get hammered into it.

Personally, I think if people can fight and die for our country, they should be allowed to drink.
However, drinking has always seemed pretty stupid to me. It looks like urine, smells like rotten fruit, and if you drink to much you get a massive headache. It also impedes your senses and judgment. Oh, and if that isn't bad enough, it is also addictive and if you drive home after having more than two glasses of it you could wind up killing someone. Sounds like fun! Not.

[TheBadLands]

As Pinky pointed out.. every country/demographic is different... Underage can be as young as 12... or just barely as young as 21.... I think its the people drinking..not the age...

[cloedoll]

I think its the people drinking..not the age...

Can't agree with you more.

[Cat]

Very well said pallavesta. I grew up where you could just hop the border and hit the casinos and bars at age 19.

[Gret<3sBub]

i am with the if you are 18 and can die for your country you can have a drink

i dont think its ever a good idea to get wasted beyond your limits b/c then you could end up in all sorts of bad situations ie. alcohol poisoning, date rape, humiliating yourself

and if alchohol and drugs are the only way in which you have a social life that is kind of pathetic too i think

[TBgirl]

I think the age should be lowered to 18 again personally. We all know that a good portion of the under age group drinks anyways. I really have a major dislike for drugs, but as far as drinking...I'm fine with it. I used to drink and go to bars from gosh probably 17-24ish (yes I had a fake ID lol). Then I started to get out of that stage as I got older (27 now). I'm really more of the responsible type, so my drinking never was a problem. My friends and I used to enjoy going out to watch the bands play. I think I actually started drinking around age 17?? I definitely saw some situations where it got my female friends into bad situations. I guess it really depends on the individual, their morals and knowing their limits, etc.

[mlle_beau]

I just got back from thanksgiving dinner and had a glass of wine there. My parents are fine with me having a drink or two (when I was in Germany I could order it myself from the bar!). They've always said that they want me to get used to drinking before I'm old enough to drink as much as I want and I think that's a good thing for parents to do. Otherwise it's like "I've hit *the* age and now I'm going to go crazy". If you have to wait until *that* age then it's like a big deal...if you just have the odd, occasional glass of wine or beer then you get used to it gradually and it's nothing.

I don't have any friends who think it's cool to go get drunk or anything, so I've never been put in that awkward position of being the only one not drinking.

I agree with your entire first paragraph. Unfortunately I do have friends who do think that way, so I can't claim that.

[oursarge]

I have mixed feelings on everything. I think if you're old enough to go to war you should be able to have a beer. I know where we live kids drink when they are under aged, I think it's the same most places.

I do not drink, never did. My husband doesn't either. I think our childhoods had alot to do with it. I had 2 grandfathers who were drinkers, big time drinkers. I saw the misery my grandmothers and their kids went through having drinkers in their lives. It was not pleasant. In my family's case on both sides either you drink alot or you don't drink at all. I chose not to drink at all since I figured I had potential to be addicted to it. My husband is the same way. He has hard drinkers in his family which made him choose not to.

His uncle is 60+ yrs old and has lost everything to drinking, family, home everything. He's lives over a bar. He's been to rehab many times and goes back to drinking. His youngest brother is the same. He's the nicest guy but he drinks way too much. After loosing his license many times over even his daughter gave up giving him rides where he needed to go, she told him grow up and at the time she was 16 yrs old. It's a sad thing.

I hate drinking and driving. My friend's brother [he was also my friend] was killed by a truck driven by a drunk driver. He went to the scene of a fatal accident and while putting up flares was hit by the truck. It was and is so sad. It was just the anniversary of his death, the whole family is still crushed 20 yrs later. When my brother in law was put in jail after having an accident, lucky he didn't kill someone, then he punched a cop I told the family don't be coming here for bail money because I felt he was where he belonged. Then the mother in law came over and told us we needed to do our part by taking him to AA every week. I told her we will take him because we want to hoping it would help him but WE DO NOT HAVE A PART IN ANY OF IT. We did not tell him to drink and drive, almost kill someone and punch a cop. We had no part in that. Maybe that's why they think of me as the B*&^% who married the golden boy. I don't much care.

I guess I never saw the fun in being falling down drunk, not knowing what you are doing and making a fool out of yourself. We went to a wedding the other night and the bridal party was all drunk before the wedding began and by the end of the night they didn't know where they were???? I guess they think that's fun.

I am not talking about someone just having a drink now and then, that's a whole different topic but I don't do it only because I know if I like it I'll never stop. I saw myself with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough frozen Yogurt, I was like a drug addict with that stuff, I went through a carton every other day only because I paced myself, I could have eaten the whole thing. I gained 68 lbs. Thankfully I found out that sugar was making me really sick and I had to stop eating it so there went my frozen yogurt and also the 68 lbs which was good! If it was alchohol I'd probably be dead because I wouldn't be able to pace myself if I liked it!

I don't judge anyone but I don't do it and I hate drunk driving. I also think when people are going to get behind the wheel after they drink if they don't think of other people they should think of their kids. I know what our neice went through, she loves her father but having him in jail so much really bothered her.

As far as drinking age I think it should be lowered, it's not stopping anything any way.

[Aina]

Ditto oursarge. Wow, you sounds like my dad(that is not a bad thing.) My grandparents on my dad's side had a problem with drinking and now my dad is really against it. So far all of his kids have followed in his example. I think my older brother had two sips of wine during a religious ceremony, but that is it.
I can give myself a headache from drinking to much *water* and have several times. (It can happen)
I can't imagine what I would do if I started to drink. Some people are fine with just drinking a little. That is fine for them. The problem becomes when they tell those who know that they can't hold just a little, that it is ok to drink.

[quest]

My rule of thumb is I never drink enough to get drunk unless I'm with people I know VERY well and trust a lot. (Thats been maybe three times in my life?)Too many bad things happen when you mix strangers and a lot of booze, things you regret so don't make that mistake! Trust me.
I think they should lower the drinking age here in the states. Eventually, after the "OMG I can drink!" stage dies down I feel since its legal there wouldn't be as much thrill and people wouldn't think it was as cool to tell their drunk stories and whatever because anyone could do it.

[ownedby7horses]

Well I must admit that I agree with the "you're old enough to fight for your country, you're old enough to have a drink". I used to be what I would consider a borderline alcoholic with my old drinking habits. I have a very addictive personality (if that's what you call it). I got hooked on smoking, I got hooked on those scratch ticket things, and I was well on my way to getting "hooked" on drinking.
I don't care if people drink, that's their own decision. I don't like being around them when they are drinking to the extreme, that's all.
I will have a rum or vodka cooler. Sometimes a couple of them. I just don't get falling down slobbering drunk. I know my limits now, and I stay well within them. I can count on one hand the amount of times I have gotten drunk in the last 5 years.

I'm telling ya though, working in a bar cured me of people who get completely blitzed.

I had to quit there though. I knew that people were driving home after being well over the legal limit. I felt guilty about that and worried every single night that they were going to kill someone & it would have been partly my fault since I served them & then knew darn well they were driving home. It chewed away at my conscience enough that I just finally had to give it up. I was making about $35/hr after my tips but in my mind it just wasn't worth it. I can actually sleep at night now knowing that if someone gets behind the wheel of a car after drinking, that I had nothing to do with it & they are just being stupid.

My husband is what I would call an alcoholic, infact, he's been diagnosed as one. It really has put a strain on our marriage, but we're getting through it. He knows how I feel & accepts that he needs to quit.

Sorry for the rampaging post, I just had to unload that. I feel better now!

You guys rock!

[Mandzanita]

I think it's funny that drinking was like the best thing ever when I was underage and right when I hit 21 or 22....I tended to find better things to do with my time. I got it all out of my system during the latter years of high school and through-out college (sorority life will do that to ya) and now, when I'm in Mexico, I'd so much rather drink some exotic juice blend than a Margarita. I've totally lost my ability to drink after college, lol. I get a headache after two glasses of wine.

As far my thoughts on Underage drinking, I think we should go to the Italian standard and introduce kids to the idea of alchohol and at an earlier age. If kids were exposed and taught about the art of drinking back when they are still VERY impressionable and not rebelious yet, there would be less of the binge drinking and accidents that go along with it. I mean, in Italy kids are drinking wine with their family at the dinner table by the time they graduate from a sippy cup. When I was there, kids weren't out getting wasted because the idea of alcohol wasn't anything new or exciting to them.

[HoustonFarrier]

Nothing good has EVER come from drinking.....other than the absolute JOY I had tossing drunks out of bars when I was a bouncer :p LOL

Steve

[sugarsgirl]

Well, since you're not legal when your drinking underage, your breaking the law. I think breaking the law is wrong, but when it comes to something minor like drinking, I don't think its a huge deal. yes, you're still breaking the law, but its not as huge of a deal as if you were to murder someone. yes, it can get out of hand if not done responsibly, but if done responsibly (like a glass of whine at the dinner table, or one cooler when your out with friends) its not that bad. I just think of it like driving a car. Driving is illegal without a liscence, but look how many parents let their teens drive their vehicals on farms, or at a campground. Yes, its breaking the law, but its not a huge deal.

I for one have had a drink or two with my family when we're celebrating, on vacation, etc, and i'm only 17. There has only been 1 time where I've ever gotten really drunk, and even then, I did it in my own house with a good friend who I trust and pretty much all we did was lay on the floor and laugh the entire night. Yes, we got a little hurt becasue we fell down the stairs or ran into the wall, but other than that, everything was okay.

I think if it gets to a point where you just can't handle drinking and you're not mature enough to take on the responsibility and consequences, then you relaly shouldnt' be doing it. But, if you're mature and responsible enough to do so, I don't think its that big of deal.

[GrungeEquestrian]

I am in the crowd of "if you are older enough to fight for your country you're old enough to drink." I think that drinking can be hazardness not with the age but with the responsibility of that individual. I have seen responsible 16 year old drinking and idiotic 24 year old drunks, age does not make a difference. When I was younger I couldn't wait to drink, now after being drunk once in my life it doesn't seem like such an extreme sport anymore. I didn't like that I couldn't remember what I did and was lucky that nothing terrible did happen. Now when I am somewhere where people are drinking, usually at parties I have become the driver. I would not be able to live with myself if I knew I could do something to make sure my friends, or acquatinces could get home safe without killing themselves or others. Personally drinking is overrated and I don't get much joy out of it.

[luv2show]

There has only been 1 time where I've ever gotten really drunk, and even then, I did it in my own house with a good friend who I trust and pretty much all we did was lay on the floor and laugh the entire night. Yes, we got a little hurt becasue we fell down the stairs or ran into the wall, but other than that, everything was okay.


LOL. we're bad! :hysterical:

[zoel_222]

I had my first drink when I was 9.... The first time I got drunk I was 13. Yeah I'm bad I know :( I think it's okay for kids to drink as long as they drink responsibly. It's your body, you know the affects and it's your choice. I don't agree with 10 year olds going out all night drinking with strangers at parties to be "cool." Drinking responsibly to me means NOT drinking and driving, not drinking with strangers who could put you in danger, having a designated driver, letting people know where you are and not letting it interfere with your day life. I definitely agree that if you're old enough to fight and die for your country you're old enough to drink.

[dustys_girlly]

i grew up as an alcoholic, my step-dad thought it was fun to pay me a dollar for every bottle of beer i drank. my earliest memory is of my mom, her husband (step-dad), and me and the drive-ins with a 12 pack of mickeys to split between the 3 of us. this was when i was in pre-school and younger! because of this and my real dad being a alcoholic and running out on my mom and me, then being told that he might have a gene that predisposes him to being a drunk and that i might have it through him, i dint drink much. i have only been drunk once and not falling down drunk but pucking my guts out drunk. and i dont want to do that again. i have no problem getting a buzz when at the bar with friends but only when i have a ride home. i didn't really drank in high school but one of my friends moms would let us at her house but you could not leave her house till the next day even if you only had one drink. because of her i was able to learn my limit in a safe atmosphere. i was always able to drink in my house but only one beer or mixed drink or a few glasses of wine. i grew up to have a really high tolerance to alcohol. when i have kids if they want to drink fine but i am going to be the one giving them the drink and watch as they get drunk for the first time in my home so the find out that it is not all it is cracked up to be. you may not like it but what is the best way and most lasting way to teach a kid that the stove is hot?

[ownedby7horses]

I have given my kids a sip of a pineapple cooler. My oldest son really liked it, my youngest...not so much!
I would prefer that if my kids want to drink & get pissed up, that they do it here first. That way they know what to expect out of it, & I can supervise to make sure nobody has alcohol poisoning or anything like that.

There are parents that I know around here who will let their kids have parties & supply the alcohol "so they know they are safe". They aren't allowed to leave the property either. If I ever found out that my kids were being enabled to drink somewhere without my permission or supervision, there'd be hell to pay.

[starkitten]

I really didn't drink a whole lot in highschool (had a bad experience when I was about 14 that cured me of wanting any alcohol for a long time), but once I hit college look out ;) I still enjoy my rum and coke and my wine, but I try to be much more responsible about it. It is unrealistic to think all young adults will not drink or drink a little - I think quite a few of us experimented with it at least.

Just be careful out there. Always stay with a group of friends, have a designated driver, and do your best to keep your wits about you. I needed to heed my own advice when I was younger - I did some dang stupid things.

[zach]

every one talks about alchahol poisoning .... exactly how easy is it to get

[Gret<3sBub]

every one talks about alchahol poisoning .... exactly how easy is it to get

it depends on your alcohol tolerance level, however you do have to ingest quite a bit of alcohol
here is more information
http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/OtherAlcoholInformation/factsAboutAlcoholPoisoning.aspx

[ownedby7horses]

You do have to ingest quite a lot of liquor to get alcohol poisoning, but one of my best friends almost died from that. She was in ICU & was almost dead by the time she got to the hospital. Infact, clinically she was dead. Her boyfriend was giving her CPR all the way to the hospital.

It's scary, I thought I was gonna lose her that night. She really didn't learn too much though, she still drank VERY heavily for years. Now at the tender age of 28 she has slowed down her drinking....thank God.

It's each person's personal choice to drink or not drink. My own thing though, I drank a lot & regret it a lot.