In this brief article, we will answer the question, “How to get alcohol under 21 years of age?” and provide information on whether parents give alcohol to their own children, why minors cannot be given alcohol as well as what can be done to reduce underage drinking.
How to get alcohol under 21 years of age?
Alcohol can be obtained under 21 years of age through friends or other family members. Some minors even steal alcohol from their home liquor cabinets. The majority of minors do not even need to pay to obtain alcohol.
Some minors hang around the parking lot and even pay strangers to buy alcohol for them. Some prepare fake IDS and gain entry into bars using them.
Minors also tend to steal liquor bottles from stores. They can enter such stores along with their friends and take bottles that are present in areas that are not easily observable by employers. Such bottles might be kept close to doors that are easily accessible.
Do parents provide alcohol to their children?
There are cases wherein parents serve alcohol to their children especially when they hit puberty. A friend’s parents can also serve alcohol at times. This a crime in many states of the US but the punishment can vary based on location.
Sometimes, the minor’s friends can host parties serving alcohol. This can be called Social hosting.
Social hosting can be conducted at one’s own place or in someone else’s home too. Social hosting can introduce minors to alcohol and they are likely to get addicted. In many areas, the host can be charged for conducting the party or simply being present at the party.
Why should minors not be served alcohol?
Teens who start drinking before the age of 15 are likely to get affected by alcohol and get addicted to them. This can affect their health both physically and mentally.
Such minors are likely to skip school and get lower grades. They are also unable to participate in sports or other competitive activities in schools. Minors who constantly drink alcohol are likely to get into fights and accidents which can endanger their life.
There can also be legal issues associated with alcohol drinking. Minors who drink and drive are likely to hurt someone or themselves. They can be pulled over by police easily as they are likely to recklessly drive under the influence of alcohol.
Physical issues can also affect such people. Individuals who constantly drink alcohol are likely to suffer from hangovers or develop chronic diseases later on.
They are likely to experiment with drugs and suffer from drug abuse too. Alcohol can interact with other drugs which can be fatal and dangerous. It can further impair their growth and development.
Excessive alcohol use can cause alcohol poisoning that can result in death. Minors are likely to commit suicide, assault, or homicide under the influence of alcohol.
Unwanted or unprotected sexual activity is pretty common among minors under influence of alcohol too. This can result in teenage pregnancy too.
What can parents do to reduce underage drinking?
Minors need to be taught about the consequences of underage drinking. Allow the conversation to be open. Let the minors ask doubts so that they understand more about the consequences of underage drinking.
Sometimes, peer pressure can cause teens to start drinking so that they can fit in with their peers. Apart from this, it is important to know minors and their friends.
Parents can also work with their peer’s parents and keep an eye on them. They can keep an eye on their cabinets to reduce incidences of stealing.
Parents can host parties at home and avoid serving alcohol. Keep careful and look around to see whether alcohol is sneakily being consumed.
What is the legal age to drink alcohol?
In the majority of countries, the minimum legal age to drink alcohol is 18. Certain countries like the United States, Cameroon, Egypt, the United States, Bahrain, Indonesia, and United Arab Emirates have the legal drinking age set to 21.
In Abu Dhabi however, the drinking age can be around 18. In certain Muslim countries, alcohol is prohibited to be consumed by Muslims. However, the non-muslims might be able to consume alcohol after a certain age.
In certain countries, alcohol laws can vary based on state. In certain countries like Saint Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, and Cuba, consumption of alcohol is allowed by 16 years of age.
Conclusion
In this brief article, we have answered the question, “How to get alcohol under 21 years of age?” and provided information on whether parents give alcohol to their own children, why minors cannot be given alcohol as well as what can be done to reduce underage drinking.
