18 is the age of majority for the purpose of voting (26th Amendment), the death penalty, labor law (although age 14 is the minimum age for employment), and many other laws. But, 21 is the age required to buy alcohol in all states (by their own choice in order to receive highway funding).
Under most laws, young people are recognized as adults at age 18. But emerging science about brain development suggests that most people don't reach full maturity until the age 25.
In 47 states, the age of majority—the age at which a person has the legal rights and responsibilities of an adult—is 18. Why is 18 considered the age of adulthood? Because that's when people get to vote. Suffrage has long been tied to adulthood and the age of majority in the United States.
An 18-year-old is considered a full-fledged adult with rights and responsibilities. Eighteen-year-olds can now vote and sign contracts. If they're still in high school, they can call in an excuse themselves from school. Males at this age must sign up to be drafted into the army.
Most states have set the age of 18 as the age of majority. However, Nebraska (§43-2101) and Alabama have set 19 as the age of majority. Mississippi is the only state which has set the age of majority at 21 (S1-3-27).
In the United States, a child becomes an adult legally when they turn 18 years old.
A 21 year old is not a child, anyone who considers them as such needs to rethink their logic. A 21 year old is an adolescent/ very young adult who still has maturing to do. Legally you are a man at 18, but you become a fully grown man at age 25–26 when your Brain is fully mature.
At age 18, you've reached an important milestone. You are now an adult in the eyes of the law. You can rent your own apartment, take charge of your finances and even buy a car on your own — all without a parent's consent or assistance. You can now enter into legal contracts and vote in elections.
Legal age and becoming an adult
Across Australia, it becomes compulsory to vote at 18 years. This is also the legal age for gambling, buying cigarettes and purchasing or consuming alcohol in a licensed venue. Generally, it is against the law for a person under 18 to drink alcohol on private premises.
In the U.S. the legal age for drinking, smoking, and entering nightclubs is 21. So the 21st birthday is a significant turning point for a young adult as they're now able to partake in more adult activities, legally.
The age of majority is the threshold of legal adulthood as recognized or declared in law. It is the moment when minors cease to be considered such and assume legal control over their persons, actions, and decisions, thus terminating the control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardian over them.
Reform of the voting age in 1969 was an alignment of age-related rights which saw the official age of majority lowered to 18. This meant that acquiring the vote was framed as part of a broader discussion about youth transitions to adulthood.
According to recent findings, the human brain does not reach full maturity until at least the mid-20s. (See J. Giedd in References.) The specific changes that follow young adulthood are not yet well studied, but it is known that they involve increased myelination and continued adding and pruning of neurons.
The development and maturation of the prefrontal cortex occurs primarily during adolescence and is fully accomplished at the age of 25 years.
middle age, period of human adulthood that immediately precedes the onset of old age. Though the age period that defines middle age is somewhat arbitrary, differing greatly from person to person, it is generally defined as being between the ages of 40 and 60.
In Australia, turning 21 means one is an adult. The tradition means giving the person turning 21 a key to their family's house.
He can use the court system, bring a suit against someone or get sued. He can also be called to serve on jury duty. He can marry without parental permission, join the military without parental permission, and adopt a child or a pet.
On the day you legally become an adult, you're allowed to purchase alcohol and cigarettes, gamble away your savings at the casino, apply for credit to buy a house, marry your high school sweetheart, and in Victoria, discover the freedom of mobility by getting your driver's license.
Adolescence now lasts from the ages of 10 to 24, although it used to be thought to end at 19, scientists say. Young people continuing their education for longer, as well as delayed marriage and parenthood, has pushed back popular perceptions of when adulthood begins.
Adolescence (generally defined as puberty through age 18) Young adulthood (generally defined as 18 to 22 or 18 to 25) Later adulthood (generally defined as mid-20s and older)
The United Nations defines youth as persons between the ages of roughly 15 and 24, with all UN statistics based on this range, the UN states education as a source for these statistics.