Why can't the legal age to drink be 18?

because chemically your body doesn't allow you to drink at 18, your body is still growing, and alcohol disrupts that, that's why pregnant women can't drink or smoke

but at 21 you're at full growth, something europeans and canadians don't understand

With all the 21+ I know that have dui's and are complete and utter idiots with alcohol the age should be raised. I'm afraid to think that some of the morons in my senior class would be permitted to drink legally. If you really want to drink at 18, join the military I believe you drink on base at 18. It's the old "if I'm old enough to die for my country, why can't have a beer before I do it" adage.

Up until the 70s and early 80s the legal age was 18 in most states. However, the federal government pushed states to increase the legal age to 21 to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities. The result was a dramatic decrease in drinking related crashes and fatalities. It's a public health issue borne out by stats.

Because most 18 year olds are total morons, the limit should be 25!

come to Aus and do what ever you want plus its an awesome country

you can in montreal, canada! lol

in ireland you can drink when your 18 :)

RAISE the driving age and lower the drinking age!

We're the only country in which the drinking age is so high, but if you think about it, our country is much more centered around driving (versus taking public transportation of walking) than other countries. Because drunk driving is such an enormous issue in the US, it makes sense to let kids become good drivers before they start drinking. Unfortunately, no one really waits until 21 to get the party started, so it's a misguided attempt to keep everyone safe.

It works in Europe and abroad because kids learn how to drink responsibly before they ever go near a car (if they even ever learn how to drive). Also, they introduce drinking gradually. For example, in Germany you can drink beer at 16, but you can't legally have hard alcohol until you're 18.

I see when you're coming from with the whole 18 thing I thought the same way until I realized just how big an issue drinking is. Sadly as one commenter said "people do it anyways... lol the law doesn't stop everyone", yes underage teens have and will continue to do it but honestly have you seen how many people have died as a result of drinking and driving? If GROWN ADULTS cannot make a wise rational decision as to their drinking and how much they can handle how can you expect an 18 year old to? Personally I think that 21 is too young 25 should really be the legal age! As far as marriage, yes it's a big step and it's a VERY important decision to make because it's a lifelong commitment but it pales in comparison with drinking that can ultimately take lives and destroy many others.

In my Spanish class we always have discussions about this and what we think about it. Oh I love how Senora gets off topic... Anyway look at it this way most kids our age around the world can't drive until their 18. Drinking can be a bigger responsibility then driving is. I think that's why most other countries people can drink before they can drive.

legal age is 18 here and most of europe if not all ..its 16 in spain and portugal
but to b honest drinking age doesn't matter cause mot people do it reguardles of age only thing is its stupid not been able to get into clubs until the legal age
id love togo america but there be no point unless I was 21

hmm.. people do it anyways... lol the law doesn't stop everyone..

The drinking age used to be 18, but it was changed in the '80s.
I've always been told that it was because of MADD.