do you consider college students (18-21) adults? why or why not? my friends and i were talking one said no?

Question

because most still get support from their parents

Answer 1

Yeah, by LAW they're adults. Did you mean to ask are they MATURE adults? That varies from person to person - I've met 18 and 19 year olds who act more mature than any 25-30 year old person I know! I think it has SO MUCH to do with how they are raised, what kind of responsiblities they're given growing up (Before they even leave home for college, etc.).

BUT.........

OVERALL, though, my answer would be no. Most kids in that age bracket would not be considered 'mature' adults - They haven't had enough 'life experiences' yet to teach them the ways of the world. Give them a few more years to experience the joys and pitfalls of life - Job experience, relationship experience, the ups AND the downs! Personally, I'm in my later 20's, and every day I'm learning more about life and how differently it can be compared to the romanticized view I had about it when I was younger.

Answer 2

Well -- that would be a huge part of it. Until you are completely independent and supporting yourself and making a life for yourself out there in the real world... I tend to think of college students as young adults. They've got the age, but none of the responsibility yet.

Answer 3

Yes and no. I'm in college right now and I can tell you that the answer is extremely complicated. In college, you are almost completely on your own. No one tells you what to eat or when to clean your room, you don't have a set bed time and you have to look out for yourself. There isn't really a structure and that's why a lot of freshman and young people can get really lost and flunk out. YOU make sure you do all your work on time. YOU get yourself up every day for class, etc. And while many do not completely support themselves financially, there are many who do or who do have pay for somethings or learn to be more responsible. Those who live off mommy and daddy's money and don't go to class, no they aren't adults.

Right now I live off campus with two other girls in a house. While my parents pay for my rent and utilities, I'm the one who pays for anything fun, like going out to dinner or buying clothes. And even though my 'rents pay for the bills, they give me a set amount of money and I have to budget and make sure that I don't use too much gas or I won't have the money to write the checks. I also have to cook my own meals, I have to clean my room and the bathroom, make sure all the doors are locked, clean the dishes, make sure the stove isn't left on, do all of my work, etc.

So yes, some of us college kids are adults, but many are immature, selfish, and not adults.

Answer 4

I'm 61 yrs old and i did a lot of stupid things and still do , age should have no barriers on maturity untility age 25----- Reason is this i spent 18 yrs on the farm as a sharecropper's son and 2yrs 9 mos in the Navy outside my country ( U S ) in Vietnam, and after all that i still make bad decisions /// I think 25 is a good age for those who want the more serious questions answered with those who have been there and done that------ and thats just me// Good question !!!

Answer 5

Legally, they may be adults, but most college age kids (You notice that we always say college kids, not college adults?) still have a LOT of growing up to do. There are exceptions, but most people mature a lot between high school and their middle 20's.

Answer 6

I am a graduate student living on campus. Last night I looked out my window and saw a bunch of first-year students hitting eachother with wooden boards for fun. A guy in my building wasn't able to park his car because the students urinating in the parking lot wouldn't move out of his space. Nice, guys. These people may be adults, but when they're under the influence of alcohol and drugs they act like children. Most of the day they're mature and can handle themselves, but come Friday and Saturday night they may as well be fourteen-year-olds stealing booze from their parents' liquor cabinet.

Answer 7

I think it depends on which state you are in.

Some states consider an 18-year old person as a functional adult regardless of whether they get support from their parents or not. Yes, there are exceptions - most insurance companies will consider the "adult cutoff point" as high as 22 years or even 25 years-old - but it depends.

Answer 8

YES. It's the beginning of becoming independent and responsible. Hey, if u break the law, such as public drunkeness.you will be charged as an "adult" but then again, a "minor" if under 21??" Go figure.