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Certain alcoholic drinks such as beer are legal to buy at the age of 16 in Switzerland. So the law actually says you don't have to be an adult for that. Same w

by noxer 5y ago

Certain alcoholic drinks such as beer are legal to buy at the age of 16 in Switzerland. So the law actually says you don't have to be an adult for that. Same with tobacco although the age for buying tobacco is not regulated federally but on a state level (So it different in each Kanton (state) either 16 or 18.) >Protecting kids from alcohol is a no-brainer. That is true and mostly anyone would agree but "kids" is undefined in this statement. Clearly the law in Switzerland does not think 16 year olds are kids but many people would disagree with that.

throwawayboise 5y ago
Most 16 year olds are physically adults. They don't have the experience and wisdom/common-sense of older adults, but at some point you have to let people develop that.
smoe 5y ago
One can basically get beer and wine at the age of 16. And when I was at that age, there were many clubs you could get into with color coded wristbands telling the bartenders what they can serve you. But as far as I know, the clubs themselves have since raised the age limits. It is certainly hypercritical to praise alcoholic drinks and demonize other drugs, but alcohol is quite a big part of Swiss culture. Not just getting wasted, but having a beer or glass of wine with a meal or at social gatherings to specific things like the cherry brandy with Fondue. It's a fringe view in the country, that a 16 year old is not adult enough to have any alcohol. I reckon you'd find more people agreeing with lowering that age rather than increasing. Personally, I think it is good, that one can have experiences with alcohol, before reaching full adulthood rights and responsibilities. E.g. being allowed to drive a car.
- noxer 5y ago
  I think you missed the point of my message. My point was that any reasonable person agrees on the "protect the kids" statement. The common ground is obvious but the "how" is not. There are valid medical arguments why a 16 year old should not drink alcohol (brain development). But there are also valid arguments why they should be allowed anyway. For example 16 matched the age where most western teens with the desire to drink alcohol make their first experience with alcohol anyway and it clearly is in no ones interest if they would have to break the law to do so. Possibly even push an already 18 year old friend to break the law by buying it for them. Also letting them make their first experience with alcohol with stuff that is unlikely to kill them is probably a good thing too. And yes, drinking before being allowed to drive a car seems to be commonly acknowledged as positive. So no matter which stance someone has on this, the goal is to protect young people we just dont all agree on the "how".

by noxer 5y ago

throwawayboise 5y ago

Most 16 year olds are physically adults. They don't have the experience and wisdom/common-sense of older adults, but at some point you have to let people develop that.

smoe 5y ago

One can basically get beer and wine at the age of 16. And when I was at that age, there were many clubs you could get into with color coded wristbands telling the bartenders what they can serve you. But as far as I know, the clubs themselves have since raised the age limits. It is certainly hypercritical to praise alcoholic drinks and demonize other drugs, but alcohol is quite a big part of Swiss culture. Not just getting wasted, but having a beer or glass of wine with a meal or at social gatherings to specific things like the cherry brandy with Fondue. It's a fringe view in the country, that a 16 year old is not adult enough to have any alcohol. I reckon you'd find more people agreeing with lowering that age rather than increasing. Personally, I think it is good, that one can have experiences with alcohol, before reaching full adulthood rights and responsibilities. E.g. being allowed to drive a car.

noxer 5y ago
I think you missed the point of my message. My point was that any reasonable person agrees on the "protect the kids" statement. The common ground is obvious but the "how" is not. There are valid medical arguments why a 16 year old should not drink alcohol (brain development). But there are also valid arguments why they should be allowed anyway. For example 16 matched the age where most western teens with the desire to drink alcohol make their first experience with alcohol anyway and it clearly is in no ones interest if they would have to break the law to do so. Possibly even push an already 18 year old friend to break the law by buying it for them. Also letting them make their first experience with alcohol with stuff that is unlikely to kill them is probably a good thing too. And yes, drinking before being allowed to drive a car seems to be commonly acknowledged as positive. So no matter which stance someone has on this, the goal is to protect young people we just dont all agree on the "how".