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"adult" at what age?
Inspired both by the "sexy and sixteen" thread and by a conversation I recently had with my daughter's mother: Assuming there was a single age set at which a person became an across-the-board adult - i.e., legal to drive, drink, vote, sign contracts, have consensual sex, pose nude, get married, buy real estate, own a business, and everything else that only adults can do, then a) what should that age be? b) should that age be the same for males as for females? I have a different answer when my daughter is in sight than when she's not. Opinions? Jan 18 06 10:03 pm Link 40. Jan 18 06 10:04 pm Link Tim Hammond wrote: While we construct our answers why don`t you answer,as well? And elaborate on the above statement? Jan 18 06 10:05 pm Link theda wrote: Do you really think it should be that young? Jan 18 06 10:07 pm Link Glamour Boulevard wrote: When my daughter isn't around, my intellect says about 16. When she is around, my emotions say 40. Jan 18 06 10:08 pm Link Pretty hard to draw a line. I've known kids that HAD to grow up fast and were quite mature at the age of 12. I'e known others for 20 yrears who haven't made it yet. I guess it means that our current standards aren't bad, they just ought to be consistant. I think 25 is too young to be allowed to vote! Jan 18 06 10:08 pm Link I would say 16, the reason is that if they commit a crime at 16 - then they are sentenced like an adult. But at 16 they are not allowed to vote, drive, drink, etc. Where is that fairness of that? Jan 18 06 10:13 pm Link 13. Or 75. I forget. Jan 18 06 10:27 pm Link There's no realistic answer to this in the maturity sense because you can't measure it in years. It's a case by case situation. Growing up I always heard from my parents, when you can afford to support yourself, feed yourself, clothe yourself and keep a roof over your head, you'll be a true adult. Nomatter what age that may be. By this way of thinking, Theda may be right on when it comes to some people. Peggy Jan 18 06 10:28 pm Link my kids become adults when they no longer ask for money. if estate requests count, my guess is never. Jan 18 06 10:30 pm Link When I say so, that's when. Now go to your room & do your homework. Jan 18 06 10:30 pm Link Tim Hammond wrote: 18 Except for: Jan 18 06 10:35 pm Link Jessica L wrote: I agree with that 100%. However I've observed that people who will say exactly that when you pose the question in terms of one single age with go to extreme lengths trying to convince me that the age-based system we currently have makes sense. You know, the one where you can have sex somewhere between 13 and 18, drive and be prosecuted as an adult at 16, join the military at 17, vote at 18, drink at 21 .... Then when you toss their words back at them ("you can't measure maturity in years"), they say there's no alternative. Jan 18 06 10:40 pm Link Heh, there needs to be a test, seriously. I've met 15 year old professional models with more business and marketing sense, maturity, responsibility and just sound defensive cynicism than a large portion of the members of this site... Then again I've met 16 year olds who are so tall and gangly that they can't even walk a straight line under normal circumstances, the thought of them being able to drink and drive (both in theory at least, still obviously illegal together) is terrifying. So really a test is the only suitable way to judge these things...If you're 60 when you finally pass, that's fine by me. =P Andy Jan 18 06 11:07 pm Link The issue isn't maturity when it comes to the law. That's why the scales are there. Unfortunately, do a crime in one state and you're a juvenile, do it another and you're an adult. Almost all age related issues vary from state to state. The number system is in place because there has to be an age at which we hold people accountable for their actions. Do I agree? Does it matter? For instance, a child of say 12 or 13 grows up on a farm, where they have to take care of livestock, drive heavy machinery AND go to school too and all of this is to help support the family. This child is probably already an adult because they have a huge amount of responsibilities and are accountable to make sure this is done daily. Then, there's the child of the same age who goes to school, comes home, hopefully does their homework and then sits in front of the TV or the computer, all the while chatting on their cell phone and then throws a fit because Mom or Dad asked them to put the trash out. NOT of adult maturity. Either scenerio can also be applied to older children of 16, 17 or 18. The difference is there has to be a LEGAL age in place so eventually, we parents no longer have to be held accountable for what our kids do. LOL Seriously though, I think 18 is appropriate legally. Whether I'm correct or not, I've always thought 18 was right because it is the age at which most people finish high school and are expected to either enter the work force or go to college or both. Yes it's just a number but legally, there really does have to be one. Peggy Jan 18 06 11:09 pm Link Tim Hammond wrote: At whatever age you can pay your own bills, provide your own food, provide your own clothing, pay your own rent, provide for those that depend on you, honor your own word, stand behind your own word, forgive others (as well as yourself), and truly relish the freedoms that come from it... Live life - make your own rules - enjoy the ride... It's fun! Jan 18 06 11:18 pm Link 30 for Women 40 for Men Jan 19 06 01:41 am Link 22 Jan 19 06 02:33 am Link 13. And let them self-select. Jan 19 06 02:36 am Link 18 in America... but check the laws in whatever country you are standing in while holding the camera! Jan 19 06 03:49 am Link I think you should have to be a high school graduate in order to have the rights and privileges associated with being an adult. Jan 19 06 11:00 am Link I have always been under the belief that it should be on a case by case basis. The age restrictions as they are now are counter productive. In most states you can get a drivers license at 16. What age group has the highest death rate in automobile accidents and causes more automobile accidents? Under 18. In most states you have to be 21 to drink but we can send guys into war to be shot at and killed at 18. Go figure. Jan 19 06 02:23 pm Link Jessica L wrote: That does sound reasonable; unfortunately, the vast majority of utter morons seem to be able to sleepwalk their way through those activities, and calling them 'adults' seems charitable at best. Jan 19 06 02:25 pm Link UGH. I deal with a lot of under age from 16-20 years of age @ my job (bartender) and for some reason these kids act like they are above the law. I have had people argue with me about the laws on underage drinking and we've offered to let them explain their case to a police officer and they left QUICKLY. I've had kids drink in front of me with a 90% underage crowd and I knew everyone who was drinking and what, and threw them both out. I've had kids with that rebellious attitude that think they act a fool because their parents are not there. And I've had PARENTS let their kids drink their drinks infront of me. Do not get me wrong; I don't care if you drink underage in the privacy in your own home, but when you put MY job on the line and a hefty fine--I will not tolerate it. So, I think maturity hits when you hit the coffin. I hate when people don't have any damn sense in general; and kids I've come to learn most are too dumb and young to have any sense. The ones that do tend to act the plague is around the bar counter and stay FAR away from it. Jan 19 06 03:16 pm Link Just because I *am* an adult, doesn't mean I have to *be* an adult. This public service announcement was paid for by The Society for Polite Villainy... Jan 19 06 03:20 pm Link i think it should be 21 for everything. Jan 20 06 12:17 pm Link The Art of CIP wrote: An excellent answer. Jan 20 06 07:46 pm Link I feel that 18 in general is the best compromise in our current society. It's an artificial "pining down" of an ever-moving target. It's more apparent when these things generally become important to young people. And like most rules - there are hoards of exceptions to them. Legal Emancipation's etc. I got my first checking account at 13 - first credit card at 14 - first drink from a bartender at 15 (who didn't bother to card me - I've always looked older than I am) Had a car in my name at 19. Fell truely in love at 22 And owned real estate free and without debt by 43. Looking back - I would figure that between 18 and 19 was the time I became skilled enough to be really independent - and thus an "Adult with Learners Permit" And I'd like to think I'm still learning. And I know lots of folks that no matter their age - scare the hell out of me, when they drink, vote, drive, charge something, or fall in love. Military - 18 - - and by extension drinking at 18 (If you are old enough to get shot, you are old enough to have a beer) VintageV Jan 21 06 01:02 am Link dont think theres a set age to be and adult..everybody is different..you can be independant, living on your own and paying your own bills at 16 or still living with mummy a relying on her at 35! Jan 21 06 02:14 am Link Brandy Engle wrote: LMAO! You sound like you are 60! You are a kid yourself! Hell you are only 22!!! Jan 21 06 04:07 am Link Amanda Schlicher wrote: Interesting idea.... does that mean drop-outs are not entitled to the rights and privileges? One more reason to stay in school and graduate. Jan 21 06 06:40 am Link for some people 50 would be just about right, for other 18 would work Jan 21 06 06:49 am Link Hamza wrote: I was pointing out people are giving teenagers too much credit and I displayed examples of what I deal with every underage show. The difference between a 20 and a 22 year old is that a 22 can drink legally. Jan 21 06 07:01 am Link I believe there are studies that show the human brain is still developing until about age 26. Especially the part involved with good judgement. (I'm serious.) The care rental agencies know this and won't rent to younger drivers. If society has to draw the line I would say that is the best place. Of course everyone's different, and some people will have matured long before then. Some people never... And young people should always be treated with the same respect and dignity as an adult. Jan 21 06 09:34 am Link Tim Hammond wrote: To quote Paul Rieser, "...well, that is a difficult age for girls...13 to 36". Jan 21 06 01:17 pm Link The Art of CIP wrote: Boy I have a long way to go before I meet that standard. Jan 21 06 01:19 pm Link Wow very interesting thread. As to the age that one can support themselves I have been on my own since I was 16. Supporting myself etc. Of course my circumstances were different as an emancipated minor. Well you can get a pilot's license at 15 a drivers license at 16 and go to war at 17. Funny I could legally fly a plane, drive a car and go to war, before I could buy beer or Playboy. Yeah THAT makes sense. LOL SO my thinking on this is as an across the board age 17. Why do I state that as such a solid age? Well that is the age at which you can enlist in the United States Military service. So I figure if the government thinks that you are old enough to trust with an M-16 and can be called upon to enter a foreign nation and take the lives of soldiers 1. you do not know 2. have never done anything to you, or even be called upon to give up your own life then you're old enough to trust with making your own decisions. Buying alcohol, smoking cigarettes, looking at porn, DOING porn, having sex... etc. But I think the real issue here is accountability and responsibility as was mentioned previously. And THIS is something that is sadly MISSING from society in the USA. People are not held accountable for anything. It's ALWAYS someone elses fault. IE: He's a bad person for punching you in the mouth. NOT... Well if you weren't disrespecting him and talking shit he wouldn't have punched you in the mouth. I do really think that accountability and responsibility are when a person is really mature. So by MY reasoning then some people would NEVER be called an adult. But hey that might just be me. Jan 21 06 01:32 pm Link DJTalStudios wrote: I talked to one marine that was 17; it's really messed up. His parents allowed him to go, you have to get parent permission (I imagine you don't if you're a emancipated minor.) to sign up. But they allowed it, even though there's only you know people in Iraq now. I met him recently. I felt bad because he wanted to go out to clubs and usually they won't let you in but I assured him that most are all ages in town. Jan 21 06 03:53 pm Link Travis Feisthamel Photo wrote: At 18, a person can sign contracts, pose nude, go off to war and risk being killed AND can kill someone in the name of freedom. Three years later, they can drown their wicked mental images away with alcohol. Fairness? Jan 21 06 09:24 pm Link 18. Jan 21 06 09:25 pm Link |
