American boys start drinking at 11, girls at 13. By 16, most Americans drink regularly. 7.2 million Americans under 21 get drunk every two weeks. 31 states allow underage drinking with parental consent, but exceptions vary. Alcohol use is linked to sexual assault and early drinking increases risk of alcohol problems.
American boys first try alcohol when they are on average 11 years old. For American girls, it’s 13 years old. The average American begins drinking regularly by age 16, and an estimated 7.2 million Americans under the age of 21 get drunk, which usually means having five or more drinks in a row, at least once every two weeks.
Learn more about children and alcohol:
Underage drinking is permitted in 31 US states if the minor has parental consent and the alcohol is consumed on private premises. There are eight types of exemptions from the minimum drinking age, including drinking for religious ceremonies and drinking for educational purposes. However, these exceptions vary by state.
About two-thirds of sexual assaults and date rapes among teenagers and college students are related to alcohol use.
People who get drunk for the first time before the age of 15 are about five times more likely to have problems with alcohol use in their later life.
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