Poll: When are you an adult

[gorfias]

Just reading this: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/398625/age-uncertainty-kevin-d-williamson

I'm the parent of two "kids", 17 and 19. There are so many milestones in the path to adulthood.

I was brought up Jewish and had my bar mitzvah at 13, meaning I was expected to take the responsibilities of an adult Jew seriously.

At 16, most states recognize the right to consent to sex. Most states allow you to leave school. You can get your driver's license.

At 17, one can be emancipated from their parents and begin an adult life. In the US you used to be able to join the military.

At 18 you can vote.

At 21 you can drink.

At 26, you are expected to get your own health insurance. I think at this age, in the USA, you can no longer demand that a parent help you through school.

I understand people mature at different rates. I am over 50 but consider myself to be, maturity wise, about 14. But at what age, culturally speaking, is a person an adult?

 

[Queen Michael]

You're an adult when you no longer need to ask.

 

[small]

im australian so the answer is simple its 18. its the standard age for everything here

 

[tippy2k2]

If you want my "technical" answer, it's 18, which is when you are "officially" considered an adult here in 'Merica.

If you want my actual answer, there's really no set date but I am of the mind that it's when you are "truly" independent" with your own job. You rent/own your own place (even with roommates unless the roomie is paying for everything), you have a job that earns you enough money to support you, you are able to get to said job on your own reliably (whether that be bike, your own vehicle, or public transportation), etc.

Now these are obviously loose guidelines. For example, I could argue that I, a 29 year old, does not fit my own definition because I still get $100 a month from my Mum (well...I don't but she pays $100 into one of my student loans each month) and I am on my Dad's phone plan, which allows me to have my phone for free.

My desk at work is also filled with a bunch of toys (my Deadpool Bobble Head is one of my favorites) so even if I was completely independent by my own rules, one could still argue I'm not an adult and that's just the way I likes it! What's the point of growing up if you still have to follow the "rules of being an adult"?

 

[Rabbitboy]

I legaly became an adult on my 18th birthday. And over here that means you are allowed to vote, drink and drive (but not drinking while driving obviously) so that is the option I picked.

 

[gorfias]

You're an adult when you no longer need to ask.

I'd be concerned that, rather than really being an adult, you'd simply ceased to be inquisitive. Troubling.

If you want my "technical" answer, it's 18, which is when you are "officially" considered an adult here in 'Merica.

There are a number of statutes in "Merica" to support this position.

If you want my actual answer, there's really no set date but I am of the mind that it's when you are "truly" independent" with your own job.

Good goal. Does seem like a goal. As a tool, I often tell my kids they should be doing something or abstaining from something as they are young "adults" who should or shouldn't be doing such and so. I use adulthood to try to ensure a behavior that leads to that goal.

I could argue that I, a 29 year old, does not fit my own definition because I still get $100 a month from my Mum (well...I don't but she pays $100 into one of my student loans each month) and I am on my Dad's phone plan, which allows me to have my phone for free.

At that point, you need a counter argument. I.E., BUT! I pay my parents rent to live in their home and accept and do my share of weekly chores.

My desk at work is also filled with a bunch of toys (my Deadpool Bobble Head is one of my favorites) so even if I was completely independent by my own rules, one could still argue I'm not an adult and that's just the way I likes it! What's the point of growing up if you still have to follow the "rules of being an adult"?

Agreed. I have a home office as well as business office and it is filled with PC games and super hero figurines and posters. I won't give them up for anybody.

 

[Frission]

Depends on whether you're talking legally or just mentally. Legally it depends from country, but mentally I'll guess it means when you're willing to take responsibility for your actions and are capable of seeing the needs of other people than yourself. In other words realizing that the world doesn't revolve around you.

Some people become adults early and some never do.

 

[Elfgore]

This question always seems to be so hard to answer. Technically in the U.S., like everyone else has said, you're an adult at 18. I wouldn't consider most of my friends adults since they get drunk almost every night. I would say you're an adult when you live on your own and have full ways to support yourself.

 

[sanquin]

In my opinion it should be the age at which you finish your puberty. For some that's at age 16, for some other at age 24 or so. On average it happens between age 18 and 21. Though apparently girls have a slightly lower average in that than boys.

I personally say the age should be 24. As I don't expect any teen to instantly be mature at age 18 or 21. Or rather, before fully entering adulthood, they should be given a few years of leniency to settle into an adult lifestyle. But that's just me.

 

[Jarek Mace]

This seems awfully... American. I think most of the word can start drinking at the age of 18 or lower, or at least in Europe. Regarding Health Insurance, many countries either don't require it or it's state run.

 

[Lilikins]

pitching in and saying..adult at 18 'technically'...
yet nevertheless imo your an adult once you have to go through the daily grudge of paying bills...making sure your house/apartment doesnt look like sheit and complaining about them youngsters to pull up their pants.

 

[Pyrian]

Meh. An arbitrary cutoff for an arbitrary definition of an arbitrary word. I find it very difficult to care.

 

[redmoretrout]

When you move out.

 

[Dalisclock]

Legally, 18. As far as maturity, You're an adult....
...when you can make life decisions and take responsibility for them
...when you don't throw a tantrum when things don't go your way.
...Ideally you are employed and can support yourself with your own money(with the caveat that now it's difficult to do this like you used to be able to. You might have a job at 18 but it's far less likely you'll be able to move out of the house).
...When you can behave like an adult in society.

At 17, one can be emancipated from their parents and begin an adult life. In the US you used to be able to join the military.

You still can join at 17, but your parents need to given written permission for you to do it(unless they're dead). At 18, then it's all you.

 

[Fireworks184]

You're an adult when you realize that time is moving very quick and you don't seem to have any time to do the things you like.

 

[Zhukov]

Here in Australia the legal age of adulthood is 18.

I've always thought of it as starting at 20 though.

Not sure why, maybe because that's when you're no longer a teenager.

 

[JohnZ117]

I think that you're an adult when you are mature enough to depend on yourself. And you are good at it when others can depend on you as well.