Talking Point: When Do You Become an Adult?

19 Conversations

A family

The definition of an 'adult' is based on many different criteria and varies widely depending on local laws and traditions.

What about you - are you an adult, a teenager, or just a child? Who decides? And on what basis?

Which of the following criteria are most relevant? Is it the age at which you're allowed to:


  • Enter a pub or bar?

  • Buy a beer?

  • Drive a car?

  • Have heterosexual sex?

  • Have homosexual sex?

  • Get married without parental consent?

  • Have a bank account?

  • Have a credit card/take out a loan?

  • Be held responsible for a crime?

  • Vote?

  • Carry a gun?

If we could create a global definition of what consitutes an adult, what would it be? What age limits or restrictions should we have in our society, if any at all?


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