21: Science's limit when it comes to the drinking age

The law of unintended consequences. When Ronald Reagan signed the law that raised the drinking age to 21 he wanted to address a health concern, mainly drunk driving for underage drivers. And the law did help. Fatal crashes involved underage drinkers dropped from 61% in 1982 to only 33% in 1991. But once they made alcohol the forbidden fruit, drinking underage actually increased!

Why? Because kids want what they can't have..they test, they experiment. It is natural and a part of maturing. Read the study. Remember, when you "forbid" something--it makes it all the more intriguing. This same principle apply to the kids you have at home. Be very careful when you "forbid" your kids from doing something and rethink how you present rules. This doesn't mean you don't take stands and tell them how you feel and what your limits are...but consider it carefully understanding how your kids develop.Read this article--it can help give you ideas.

21: Science's limit when it comes to the drinking age - CNN.com: "But while the law did have a significant impact on drinking and driving, it did not stop kids from drinking. In fact, it may have made drinking even more appealing to teens, whose brains naturally seek out risk more than adult brains do -- without considering what the consequences might be.
A survey of students at 56 colleges across the country just a couple years after the legislation passed found that "significantly more under-age students drank compared to those of legal age." This study concluded that "the increase in purchase age appears to have been not only ineffective but actually counter-productive, at least in the short run.""

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