Comments on: Rights… Rites of Passage… Drinking Age

By: Mike Hoekstra

Mike Hoekstra — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:16:43 +0000

I’m not sure about moving the drinking age, but I know that somehow we need to have a different rite of passage into adulthood than drinking. Could church youth ministries with the partnership of parents and family help form a new rite of passage tradition for teenagers?

By: Luke M.

Luke M. — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:40:55 +0000

I’d be curious of some studies of other countries and lower drinking ages. I’ve heard the argument “well their drinking age is lower and they don’t have any problems”, but I’ve never seen much evidence or research for that. And I don’t know how relevant it would be since the USA is pretty different from other countries. Relevant or not though, I’d still like to see some research on the subject. I do find it a little odd that you can do most everything at 18, yet no drinking until 21. I’d be in favor of pushing the smoking age to 21 if we keep the drinking age their too, maybe we can preserve a few lungs a little longer.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:25:02 +0000

I personally think that if you keep the whole drinking experience (or any other worldly temptation) untouched in youth group discussion, it becomes more intriguing for them. Then, lending itself to binge drinking or a rite of passage to get wasted.
I believe you should get kid’s talking about subjects like this early in their teens. Put these things on the table (in discussion), in a forum where the kid’s feel comfortable, and break the topics down with solid biblical teaching. More important than anything… live by example! Romans12:2