That
was such a preventable accident.
Even if the kids had all been in seats, it sounds as if it was just unsurvivable, poor things
I don't know what the answer is here-- having lived in Japan and Europe (although not having stats handy ATM), I've seen how *allowing* children/teens an occasional drink, and teaching them to respect it, can be a positive thing. BUT here in the US, "underage drinking" is such a cultural thing-- it's a method of rebellion that's instilled in our kids through the media, and social influences and pressures. I don't know how long it would take to undo that, and how much damage we could expect in the interim...
I don't know the answer either. I sometimes think it's just as stupid for us to allow someone who has been drinking any amount of alcohol to determine their sobriety level just like all these targeted idiotic public service infomercials are aimed towards women with severe postpartum depression to get out and ask for help all by themselves. Each are addressing individuals with severe mental impairment. Kind of like a heart surgeon operating on himself :shrug-shoulders:
Vehicle Keys should be confiscated at the order of a drink, imo. I realize that would make things complicated, but only at first while we're figuring out safe-rides & taxis & other forms of transportation.
There's been enough surveys to demonstrate that the vast majority of drinkers honestly believe they're more sober than they actually are. Rarely can anyone guess their intoxication level. Since our society has this blanket anti-drinking stance, there's never any chance for a young person to learn LEGALLY the individual effects of alcohol. In a way, it's worse than the controversy about abstinence vs sex education.
We're so busy saying its illegal and don't do it, there is no education from parents or society other than all those really cool advertisements, teaching anyone HOW to drink responsibly. Basically, we're a nation of binge drinkers who pride ourselves on how wasted we can get on weak nasty tasting watered down beer.
Eventually, everyone will be legal, so don't waste the educational moment. :thumbsup:
There were two summers I spent with my parents railpassing through the different countries in Europe. The first trip I was about 14. My parents allowed me to drink cider which has 3-5% alcohol content with dinner while they shared a bottle of wine. The second trip, I was 16 1/2. Legal drinking age over there. My father educated me on what constituted a good bottle of wine, how to select it, and we also tried out some of the different beers. I learned that I could drink a glass of wine and I'd feel a slight buzz. Anything more, was not appreciating the vintage. My dad would receive looks of approval from other parents who were also 'educating' their children at the different establishments.
He emphasized heavily that after drinking, driving was not acceptable! But in Europe, we were either walking or taking public transportation. Even when I was there in the early 90s and this last tour, there was always a way to get where we needed to go without driving. Much more difficult in the US. :shrug-shoulders: Teens aren't licensed until their 18 and that's only after a huge expense by someone for driver's school and license purchase. So most are the reverse of here in the US. Access to alcohol at a younger age, but not a vehicle.
There are just as many closet alcoholics over there as here, so it's not utopia at all. But at least it's out in the open instead of being some sort of rebellion thing.
As soon as we came back to the States, that was it. I was NOT LEGAL, so even the discussion of alcohol became this taboo subject from my parents. But I remembered a lot of that bonding with my dad.
I had a binge drinking episode when I was 18 1/2, but I did not drive anywhere until the following morning. Compared to my peers, I was a complete teetotaler.
I turned 19 in TX just before the age limit was changed to 21 and then I was stationed outside of DC where it was also 19 legal age for beer & wine. If you were married & your spouse was over 21, then you were legal for the hard stuff
I watched as my sig-other sank into severe binge drinking/ alcoholic dependant habits and was accused of driving him to the drink. He never liked the taste of the drinks, only the drunken state he'd go into.
After my split up, I drank heavily at the different military 'parties', but I always remembered my parents' admonishments to not drive. It also helped that I pulled people over for DUI's and they were ALWAYS SO STUPID! I never met a smart drunk.
But I did prefer living overseas because it WAS so much easier being a responsible drinker due to the public transportation and local establishments near to where one lived. Unless you live in a major city, it's hard to compare.
I barely drink now -- some German Mosel white wine that we imported and the occasional Cider which I really really miss the French cider-wine style from Normandy or Brittany. :crying:
But something that I have yet to encounter in the last 20 years or so, has been a young person who can appreciate beverages containing alcohol for something other than the chance to get blisteringly drunk. What a waste.
