It is interesting as these cases slide through the courts. Each keeps going a different way.
My personal opinion is we need to decide when people become adults. Can you sign up for the military at 18. In most cases, you can’t rent a car till 25. You can’t buy a guy in some places until 21. You can’t drink until 21.
In some places, you have to be 21 to rent a hotel room.
I think the lack of standards in situations like this cause the most frustration. If 18 is an adult then 18 is an adult. If it’s 21 so be it.
I also think exemptions are ridiculous. The law should apply to everyone uniformly.
I knew a person that went through the police academy and was employed at 19. The had to have their parent purchase ammunition so they could train with their department issued duty weapon because in my state you need to be 21 to purchase handgun ammunition. Are they an adult or not? But if they aren’t adult enough to purchase ammunition then they aren’t adult enough to be a cop.
I don’t have all the answers but the laws should apply equally to all.
You can be drafted or jailed for life at 18.
Youre considered an adult at 18.
Done.
That is my issue. The law is all over the place.
Personally, I think drinking should be allowed younger. Europe does it, and it isn’t an issue. I think parents should be able to give their children alcohol at any age. It teaches them responsible drinking. We let our child drink at 14 when she was with us. We credit that is her never misbehaving with alcohol since it was never taboo.
To preface that, neither of us is a large drinker. I may have 2-3 drinks once a month. Typically we will go to a nice place and have a few drinks or have a few drinks while watching a movie at home.