What does it mean to be "LEGAL" at 18 anyway?
Anywaysss it my mind it makes it seem like since they call it, "Legal", that 18 means your "legally an adult now"....
BUT i think it Too Young, thats like FRESH OUT OF HIGHSCHOOL, most 18 yr olds r immature still anyway! why not keep it 21 years old or at least 20? i dont get it
2007-06-12 16:43:44 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I'm going out on a limb here, but our country's forefathers were living in a different society than they could anticipate that we would live in. At the end of the 19th century, average lifespan was late forties, early 50s. It stands to reason that the age 18 was decided as a fair assumption, that all children would be mature and self-sufficient, by the time their parents die. Therefore, late teenage years would be the age that most offspring would have learned enough to care for a family of their own and be able to assist aging parents. That law has not kept up with changes in society.
2007-06-12 17:09:02 · answer #1 · answered by Charming Taurus 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe it has to do with two things, the age men could be drafted and the age which used to be the minimum to buy alcohol. The drinking age was 18 for many years; until the big push in the 1980's to raise it to 21.
High school graduation is supposed to mean you are ready to take charge of your destiny. Yet, not until the second half of twentieth century did many states see more than half of its school-aged children actually complete high school. So, I doubt the being a high school graduate was the core basis of the "18 year-olds are adults" rule.
The "18 year-olds are adults" rule was further cemented into law when the Constitution was modified to lower the voting age from 21 to 18.
2007-06-13 00:04:09 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin k 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's 18 because that's when they leave HS and traditionally get jobs or leave their homes to attend college. It's a fairly recent trend of "kids" still being supported by their parents after HS.
Children cannot grow up if they are still treated like children, they must learn the hard way what responsibility is. Every time an adult child is bailed out by their parents is a lesson that child didn't learn.
2007-06-12 23:54:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You're right most 18 yr olds (not all) are immature.
You have a very good question here!!!!
2007-06-12 23:52:18 · answer #4 · answered by Richard 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
18 years old is the legal age because at that age, a person can already enter into contracts and already have a personal capacity to act on himself.
2007-06-12 23:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because that's when a bunch of stuffed shirts in Washington decided it was OK to throw your kids out of the house and stop supporting them. Technically, if your kid messes up even at 18, they can still nail the parents for it and yet the kid can still sign more contracts to lay on their parents lap...How's that for ironic?!!! Hope this helps!!!
2007-06-12 23:53:00 · answer #6 · answered by roritr2005 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For legal advice and legal information, go to this blog
http://usa-legalcare.blogspot.com/2007/05/legal-care-by-legal-experts-click-here.html
2007-06-13 08:08:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the law says it is.. .and has always said it is.
2007-06-13 01:55:24 · answer #8 · answered by Amy S 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋