Reply #15: Of course underage adults drink

[Dookus]

but I think fewer do it at 16 now than when I was young, when I could just walk into almost any bar and get served.

As for the military/voting/drinking thing, I always found that a very weak argument. We never have had, nor is there any reason for, a single age at which every right is conferred upon you.

I could get a paper route at 12, but I couldn't work a real job. Kids can start learning to drive at 15 and a half, but with restrictions. They can get working papers at 16 , but it's limited. They can sign contracts at 18. We have a variety of ages at which various rights are conferred. There is no magic day on which a person becomes responsible enough for all these rights. But we do our best to choose ages that represent when the vast majority of people are ready.

We tried 18 as a drinking age, and bad things happened. But if it would please you, I'd be willing to stipulate that active service members be allowed to drink at 18.