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When will children become adults? - Avery, 8, Los Angeles
Not everyone grows up at the same rate, even if U.S. laws rule that you are an adult at the age of 18. This is the age when you are considered an adult in terms of criminal liability. However, states differ in the “civilized age of majority”, which means you don’t necessarily gain all the rights and privileges left for adults at the time.
For example, U.S. citizens can vote or get tattoos at the age of 18 without their parents’ consent, but they cannot legally buy or consume alcohol until their 21st birthday. If young Americans want to rent a car before they are 25, they will be subject to additional restrictions and fees even if they get a driver's license at 16 and earn a living for years.
Even physical signs of maturity cannot provide a simple answer to this question. Adolescence brings about physical changes associated with adulthood, such as facial hair or breast development. This also marks the beginning of sexual maturity - being able to have children.
These changes do not happen to everyone at the same time.
For example, girls usually start experiencing puberty and start to look like adults earlier than boys. Some people don't look like adults before they're in their 20s.
In my opinion, as a professor of developmental psychology, what really matters in adulthood is how people feel and behave and the responsibilities they cope.
Milestone ages may vary
Because everyone is unique, there is no standard timetable for growth. Some learn how to control their emotions, develop judgments to make good decisions and manage to make enough money to support themselves before they are 18 years old.
It takes longer for others to do it.
The arrival of age also varies by cultural differences. In some families, you are expected to be financially dependent on your parents until your 20s when you are in your college education or work training.
Even in a family, your personality, experience, career path and specific circumstances can affect the time you expect to assume adult responsibilities.
Some young people enter adulthood technically by the age of 18 through a process called “liberation”, which is a legal status that shows that young people are responsible for their financial and medical obligations.
However, financial independence is difficult for young teenagers, as child labour is restricted and regulated in the United States by federal laws, and states have set some of these rules. The states also determine the age you want to get married. In most states, they are already 18 years old. But some states allow marriage at any age.
Distinguish between children and adults
Understand the differences between children and adults who think they help explain when children become adults.
For example, children tend to think concretely and may struggle than adults with abstract concepts such as justice or hypothetical scenarios.
Children and teenagers also have shorter spans than adults and are more likely to distract themselves, while adults usually better screen for distractions.
More importantly, children, especially children, often encounter more trouble when controlling their emotions. When they feel depressed or depressed, they are more likely to cry or scream than adults.
One of the reasons why you grow up completely by the age of 18 or even 21 is because of our brains. The prefrontal cortex is part of the brain and plays a crucial role in planning and weighing risks, not fully developed before most people’s 25th birthday.
Make a lifelong choice
Delays in brain maturation can make it difficult for young people to fully consider the real consequences of their actions and choices. This mismatch can explain why teenagers and people in their 20s often engage in risky and even reckless behaviors—such as driving too fast, not wearing seat belts, using dangerous drugs, overeating or stealing.
Despite medical evidence about late brain maturity, the law does not provide any room for someone to be accused of violating the law. Once they are 18 years old, Americans can be legally tried as adults, including murder.
These still developing parts of the brain can also help explain why children are more susceptible to peer stress. For example, teenagers are more likely to admit that they did not commit crimes under police interrogation, partly because they are unable to properly weigh the long-term consequences of their decisions.
However, teenagers have a higher tolerance for risk and risk-taking. This can help explain why many young people are motivated to carry out protests about climate change and other causes.
Feel like a real adult
In North America, by many standards, some young people are adults - because they are 20 years old, own cars and have jobs - they may not feel like they are adults no matter what the law comments on this. Psychologist Jeffrey Arnett coined the term “emerging adult” to describe Americans aged 21-25 but have not yet felt like they were adults.
When someone becomes an adult, no matter what the law says, it really depends on that person.
With 25-year-olds having full-time jobs, their own children may still not be like adults and still rely on their parents, as many adults can usually handle a lot of things. There are 17-year-olds who can appoint all their doctors, take care of young siblings or grandparents, and do all grocery shopping, dining plans and laundry for their families. They may see themselves as adults.
Growing up is about gaining experience, making mistakes and learning from them, while also being responsible for your own behavior. Since there is no single definition of adulthood, everyone must decide for themselves whether they have become adults.
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