I’m talking about the U.K. and while there is certainly the option of binge drinking culture, it was definitely not required. But my time in university was full of events where alcohol was served and I don’t know how such things would work for someone who mightn’t be allowed in due to that—if you’re 18 you can turn up and refuse the drinks and no one will care much, but if you’re 17 you maybe can’t turn up, even if you would refuse drinks.

with the states being 21 and up - I think the pressure is not the same.

In the cities I've been to, many nightclubs/bars/pubs after dark will only let in 18+ but you'd get Xs on your hands or something and only 21 and over can drink.

I believe many have gotten use to this system and the expectations that you don't need to turn up alcohol to be cool - in fact it could get you in trouble.

I also know there are plenty that find ways around the drinking 20 and under prohibition - sure - but sneaking a drink in a dark corner or whatever is not the same as being expected to be doing body shots on the bar.. so there is less pressure in many ways I believe, compared to UK I suppose.

Also - alcohol and weed for many youngsters I think is not a big deal to get or leave alone, a lot of people shrug at those things and seek out X Y or Z, and those things are not generally done in large groups at parties - from what I gather - surely it's not 100% across the board like that - but most kids have access to all the drugs and alcohol they could want by 9th grade in most places I am pretty sure -

the legal alcohol and weed is legal in many places now - seems like a thing that 'old people do' cuz it's legal - and it's not the main thing on their 'coolness radar' - at least that's the vibe I've been getting from the HS/college crowd of late.

my very little experience is of course a very small data point and certainly not indicative of the country as a whole, and I am guessing the small towns around the country are a bit different than the cities in those regards.