Subject:
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Re: US age restrictions
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Fri, 27 Jul 2001 12:54:06 GMT
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Viewed:
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180 times
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David Eaton wrote:
>
> In lugnet.org.us.nelug, Dave Low writes:
> > May I ask why the drinking age in the US is 21? Do any other
> > rights/privileges accrue at that age, or is everything else 16/18+? Or is
> > alcohol thought to be such a dangerous drug that it shouldn't be used while
> > someone is still in their teens?
>
> I think some things (like driving at least) are defined by state law, while
> others are nationwide... but I think (at least around here):
>
> 15.5 - Can get a learner's permit (can drive with supervising driver present)
> 16 - Age of consent (what does that actually mean?)
> - Can get a driver's licence • - usually treated as an adult within the court system
> 18 - Can vote
> - Treated legally as an adult • Actually, this one varies for various things.
> - Could get drafted! (if it were reinstated)
> - May *purchase* cigarettes (note, you can smoke all you want if you are
> given them!)
- Usually the age one can _act_ in a pornographic film - see
below...
> 21 - Drinking age (21 also used to be voting age, but that changed in the 60's
> or so... I'm not sure exactly when)
- Usually the age one can _buy_ or be _given_ pornography (i.e.
those 18
year olds can't even be shown a screening of the film they acted
in...)
> 25 - Can rent a car (how that got decided I'll never know). Actually, I think
> you *can* rent a car before then but it's exhorbitantly priced? Something
> to do with insurance, I'm sure.
Yes, this is an insurance issue. 25 is a cutoff age used in
insurance
statistics and the under 25 group has radically higher accident
rates.
It would be interesting to see more detailed statistics which are
by year
and perhaps even factor in employment/education.
--
Frank Filz
-----------------------------
Work: mailto:ffilz@us.ibm.com (business only please)
Home: mailto:ffilz@mindspring.com
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Message has 1 Reply:
Message is in Reply To:
 | | US age restrictions
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| (...) I think some things (like driving at least) are defined by state law, while others are nationwide... but I think (at least around here): 15.5 - Can get a learner's permit (can drive with supervising driver present) 16 - Age of consent (what (...) (23 years ago, 27-Jul-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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