Poll: Legally an adult

[Death God]

So today I am 18 and am now legally and officially and adult according to the American government. I am held fully responsible for smoking, gambling, credit cards, the whole shibang. So, because I now each country has different laws, what is the legal age of an adult in your country and do you think that it is a good age to be held responsible for every action or do you think that it should be a higher/lower age?

 

[SpiderHam666]

Technically 18 is when you are considered an adult but it isn't until 21 you can do the more adult action of drinking alcohol.

 

[Qizx]

I thought 21 was the age in America?

That's only for alcohol consumption.
In America you are legally accountable for everything EXCEPT liquor, which somehow makes sense to the government...

 

[Soviet Heavy]

I thought 21 was the age in America?

21 ia the legal drinking age in the States. Come to Canada, its 18 most places. Except Ontario, which sucks since I live there and I have to be 19.

 

[kickassfrog]

I'm 19 and British- I can do whatever I like. Within reason, anyway.

 

[SupermarioPS]

Hi,
I am german, and as you may know out of your stereotype index, we as people love to drink beer (ok the Polish drink more, but we Germans are insteadbest in Coffee and Tea). For example you are allowed to drink light alcoholics (<20%) with 16 years. Also you can achieve your license for driving with 17 years, but only for Germany and your parents sitting next to you. And you have to be 14 to have sex(but max distance between age is 2 years older) . Dun´t know any limits after 18 birthday.

 

[Artic Xiongmao]

18. Spain.

For everything from going to jail and voting to drinking and driving. Nearly nobody drives till they are in their 20s, which makes it strange when I watch American movies or talk to Americans and see them driving at 16 or so. And yeah, about drinking... people drink whatever their age is, pretty much.

So 18, legally. Except sex. I think it's 14. Or maybe 16. Something like that. Not that anybody cares.

BTW, do you drive since you are 16 because you don't have any other ID? It's pretty weird for spaniards (and many others) that Americans don't have a National ID. Not a passport; that's another thing. So the driving license functions as an ID... is that right-ish?

 

[Joccaren]

18 in Australia, though companies will start charging you adult prices long before then...

 

[trollnystan]

Sweden here. 18 for everything but buying alcohol at the state-owned off-license - which is the only place you can buy alcohol heavier than beer and cider - for that you have to be 20. I never really cared about the restrictions; I even ignored the unofficial tradition of going to the off-license on your 20th birthday to buy a random bottle of something.

 

[Jonluw]

They say 18, but don't let you buy drinks with >22% ABV until you're 20, so I call bullshit.
You aren't legally an adult until you're granted all the rights that come with age.

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

Well you cant say you are legally an adult but cant drink beer. So its 21 for you. Although i would prefer you too drink beer at 18 and drive when 21....but then USA is very car dependant due to crappy public transport. But i think 16 is to immature to be trusted with a car.

Although, its funny how boring alcohal becomes when you can buy it legally.

 

[Jordi]

Technically 18 is when you are considered an adult but it isn't until 21 you can do the more adult action of drinking alcohol.

I really don't understand how it is that in a country that prides itself in having the most freedom in the world, people let the government make decisions about whether adults can drink or not. It's not just that it seems a little hypocritical (I'm sure there are reasons), but it just doesn't mesh very well with other things I hear about the US. Such as that you guys don't really trust your government to do very much for historical reasons, which is why compared to other western countries you are (on average) very conservative.

Anyway, I'm from the Netherlands, and as far as I know you can pretty much do everything at age 18 that you can do at 40 (except you have a lower minimum wage and renting a car is more expensive and some things like that).

 

[ShindoL Shill]

I'm 19 and British- I can do whatever I like. Within reason, anyway.

is it reasonable to cockslap the Queen with a bright pink condom covered in banana lube from a speeding taxi?

because i've got stuff planned for my birthday.

OT: what he said.

 

[DragonFae]

In Australia, 18 is the legal age for everything, except sex, which is 16, and we're allowed learner permits at 16, but have to have a licensed driver with us. We get our P plates at 18 and a full license at 21.

I have to admit that I personally think the legal drinking age should be raised to 21. Research shows that drinking, especially binge drinking, while the brain is still developing (it stops around the age of 24) can do permanent damage to short and long term memory. Also, a lot of fatal car accidents seem to involve P platers. Taking alcohol out of the equation might save some lives.

 

[krseyffert]

it's 18 here in South Africa, the only thing you can't do at 18 is own a firearm.

 

[Shadu]

I'm American, so you know my legal age. Adult at 18, can do almost anything by 21...except rent a car. Apparently, you must be something like...23. Weird.

Being 21 myself, I could drink and smoke and do whatever I wanted if I wanted. I just can't rent a car for a few more years.

 

[ZeroMachine]

Technically 18 is when you are considered an adult but it isn't until 21 you can do the more adult action of drinking alcohol.

And you can't rent a car until you're 25.

But congratulations, dude. Happy birthday and all.

 

[the.gill123]

Everything is 18 in Britain, and I like it that way, except driving at 17, which makes sence so you don't immediatly drink and drive.