December 16th, 2008 edit
this is a natural path to adulthood. Steal some of your friends parents booze (that way you don't get in sh!t for it) and get smashed.
Welcome to the club.I know that young people love experimenting, but I assure you, your real problems will come later, when you try to stop and realise that it is almost impossible. I would advice you not to do it again, and if you are tempted to - know you are already in trouble.What sort? If you're talking about a 16 year old having a glass of wine with a meal, it's perfectly fine with me (and the law in the UK). If you're talking about a 14 year old plastered on Stella in a park, it's illegal and can be harmful, but I've certainly done it in my time and have a mostly mature relationship with alcohol now (7-14 units spread throughout the week, occasional horrible splurges). Most people grow out of teenaged binge drinking (the turning point is when the hangovers start in your mid twenties - after that you have to reassess if getting smashed is worth the pain.....). Sticking my neck out here, I think that the problem drinkers I know had other issues in their lives - I don't think that the age at which they started drinking affected the problem they have now.
I did it, I started drinking very early, like 13. So if I said anything against it I would be a hypocrit.....Dont start smoking though!!! WORST thing you could ever do!!!!You've already asked about Ice, now you're asking about underage drinking. I assume you have tried drinking too.
Alcohol is all about moderation, not getting off your face, blotto, hung over or whatever. If you are doing all this to run away from your problems.... guess what when your sober the problems are still there. You don't need booze or drugs to have a good time. Just good friends & a place to hang out.Not a great way to start your adult life but if that is what you choose to do.... binge, or social? We were introduced to wine from the age of 14 - midday mother served us half a glass each, and I think parents should have the liberty to do so. Since alcohol was not exactly a taboo at home we never felt the need for stealing any and get ourselves smashed up. That came later, well into legal age... Everyone tries it for the social aspect. It's better than drugs or smoking I think.It's a hoax to bring in revenue for your state.
Oh, and it makes drinking fun seeing as you have a chance of getting caught. By that I mean the nervousness gives a feeling of excitement. Once people turn the legal age, drunk driving becomes a major issue. MIP > DUI.
I also think that the federal government shouldn't have such a big say in it seeing as its more of a state issue. IE federal offering state government funding for keeping the legal age over 21. Wisconsin gets around this by letting an underage person drink if they are with their parents/legal guardian (bar also has discrepancy).
I feel that the drinking age should be lowered to 19, seeing as most people graduate high school at 18, and will then go on to college. Being on your own gives freedom, and with that ones able to make choices.