I don't get your point. The (US) drinking age is not tied to the age of majority or most other societal indicators of "adulthood." Unless your post means to sa

I don't get your point. The (US) drinking age is not tied to the age of majority or most other societal indicators of "adulthood." Unless your post means to say we should probably drop the drinking age. I'd agree it's pinned higher than maturity curve of youths, and personally find the illegality to encourage a debauched form of underage drinking. But I don't really see how that's here or there. re, your edit: Are you saying that by some developmental model 17 year olds should not be asked to rise to the standards of behaviour expected of adults? Please elaborate.