Rights… Rites of Passage… Drinking Age
August 25th, 2008 by Steve
Historically, adolescences has shifted from a time of “transition” from child to adult, to a significant life stage that some experience well into one’s mid-twenties. There are many developmental and sociological reasons for this phenomenon.
It has been perpetuated, not the least, by youth ministry that has (on plus side) responded to the needs of this population but may also be (on the negative side) perpeduated a delayed entry into adulthood.
More broadly, it might be said that the road from childhood to adulthood has lost its way as adolescence is desired, worshiped, and longed to be preserved.
The lack of “signposts” toward adulthood have left gaps for other rites to be adapted. I wonder if the 21 year-old drinking age has become one of these rites. Maybe this rite has had to take on a flood of meaning that, on the surface, shows itself as binge drinking, but underneath calls for something more.
One solution comes from this article by Dan McFeely that reports that some college presidents are suggesting the legal drinking age be lowered to age 18.
Derek Melleby from CYPU and others have written opinion responses in USA Today, on the topic.
What do you think of this?
The argument goes well beyond our own personal convictions about whether one can enjoy a cold one. Might there be deeper systemic issues that frame this discussion?
August 27th, 2008 at 5:25 am
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
September 4th, 2008 at 10:40 am
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.
September 13th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
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?