I was struck by the contrast between the US and UK highlighted in this article on The Mirror, even though I already knew what it explains about UK law.

Under US law, no-one is allowed to drink or buy alcohol until they are 21 years old. In the UK, people can buy alcohol once they reach 18 years, and can have alcohol bought for them, for example in a bar or restaurant, once they reach 16. In private premises, e.g. at home, when under parental supervision, someone can legally drink at 5 years old!

There are a great number of studies showing that, when young people are introduced to alcohol in a safe and supervised environment, they are less likely to abuse alcohol and become alcoholics. Countries like France, Spain and Italy, where drinking wine with meals is part of the culture, have much lower rates of alcoholism. The statistics speak for themselves.

The other oddity about US drinking laws has been pointed out by many writers: at 18 years old, one is considered old enough to join the military and die for one's country, but not old enough to drink alcohol. This has never made any sense to me.

When my daughter was 5 years old, she would often open the bottle of wine for dinner, inspect it as she swilled it around the glass, smell it, taste it, and tell me whether it was OK. I would then ask her if she wanted any; sometimes she would say yes, and I would give her some mixed with water. She has grown up with a responsible attitude to alcohol.

I think that it would be better for people if the US moved to an approach more like in Europe, but I can't see that happening any time soon.