Our family regarded alcohol on the "European plan." Older kids got a little wine with dinner on those occasions when the adults were having it. I can't remember there ever being any hard liquor in the house, and kids hate beer. My grandma would sometimes share a weak whiskey sour.
I never drank with my friends in high school, because there was no attraction to it, and we knew the consequences of liquor and cars. And alcohol was not a sign of rebellion -- it was no big deal.
Handled the freedom from parental control in college a lot better than most of my peers -- and I was 600 miles from home at 17, on a scholarship, and on my own. Of course there were occasions when I went over my limit (at ages 20, 20 again, and 21), but young people have to find these things out for themselves. No driving involved.
Legal to buy alcohol at 18, and legal to drink under parental supervision as a minor. Why not?
We need to separate the issues of "legal to drink" and "safe to drive" in this country. We have it all mashed together in our collective headbone, and these have nothing to do with one another. Maybe we can't make a distinction because we drive everywhere.
I'm also in favor of starting driving education and limited licensing quite young, so that kids can develop the motor skills, reflexes, and judgment under controlled circumstances. Mandatory driver's ed, hopefully with an instructor better than the one who "taught" me. No passengers under 18 (except family members), curfews, and an automatic revocation for DUI, any reckless act, cell phone use, and seat belt offenses during the probationary period. (And I don't believe in seat belt laws for adults -- but 16 year-olds are not adults, so they can just suck it and wear one.)
I also believe that there should be a probationary period and tighter restrictions for new drivers of any age. It's not just about being a teenager. New drivers are more dangerous than (most) experienced drivers. Even the most careful new driver is lacking in practice and has not yet developed his reflexes to cope with driving speeds.
Last week I was following the 18 year-old stepson of a friend as we moved him to college -- and the little %$@&^ was texting while driving! Kid has had a license for less than a year, and has already totaled one car. Real Dad bought him another, and Mom doesn't care -- it was her cop friends who didn't cite him for a wreck that was speed and stupidity-related. I hope I won't be driving his stepfather up there to the hospital, or worse. This is a boy who would have benefited greatly from a highly restrictive probationary period, and barring that, from loss of his license when he screwed up the first time.
I never drank with my friends in high school, because there was no attraction to it, and we knew the consequences of liquor and cars. And alcohol was not a sign of rebellion -- it was no big deal.
Handled the freedom from parental control in college a lot better than most of my peers -- and I was 600 miles from home at 17, on a scholarship, and on my own. Of course there were occasions when I went over my limit (at ages 20, 20 again, and 21), but young people have to find these things out for themselves. No driving involved.
Legal to buy alcohol at 18, and legal to drink under parental supervision as a minor. Why not?
We need to separate the issues of "legal to drink" and "safe to drive" in this country. We have it all mashed together in our collective headbone, and these have nothing to do with one another. Maybe we can't make a distinction because we drive everywhere.
I'm also in favor of starting driving education and limited licensing quite young, so that kids can develop the motor skills, reflexes, and judgment under controlled circumstances. Mandatory driver's ed, hopefully with an instructor better than the one who "taught" me. No passengers under 18 (except family members), curfews, and an automatic revocation for DUI, any reckless act, cell phone use, and seat belt offenses during the probationary period. (And I don't believe in seat belt laws for adults -- but 16 year-olds are not adults, so they can just suck it and wear one.)
I also believe that there should be a probationary period and tighter restrictions for new drivers of any age. It's not just about being a teenager. New drivers are more dangerous than (most) experienced drivers. Even the most careful new driver is lacking in practice and has not yet developed his reflexes to cope with driving speeds.
Last week I was following the 18 year-old stepson of a friend as we moved him to college -- and the little %$@&^ was texting while driving! Kid has had a license for less than a year, and has already totaled one car. Real Dad bought him another, and Mom doesn't care -- it was her cop friends who didn't cite him for a wreck that was speed and stupidity-related. I hope I won't be driving his stepfather up there to the hospital, or worse. This is a boy who would have benefited greatly from a highly restrictive probationary period, and barring that, from loss of his license when he screwed up the first time.
