Reply #49: I think the real problem is our puritanical nature.

[alarimer]

Drinking is forbidden absolutely until you turn 21, then it's party, party, party. There is no moderation. It is cool to do what is forbidden, whereas it is not cool to have a glass of wine with grandma when you are 16. I think that people in nations like Italy or France grow up with it and, by and large, are less prone to binge drinking.

Several college presidents have signed on to the effort to reduce the drinking age because they believe it will reduce binge drinking and deaths from binge drinking on campuses. But I think the national nannies (groups like MADD, etc) will fight tooth and nail against it.