When is someone considered an "adult"?

I've been mulling over this question for a while. For the past year or so, I've considered myself an adult to an extent. I pay my bills, I go to work, I do my taxes, I pay fines for laws I break, etc. But for some reason, I don't consider myself being a full-fledged adult despite being 24 years old. I feel like there's something missing to be able to be thought of as a full adult. Things like marriage, having a kid, buying a home, etc.

In the US, a person transitions legally from a minor to an adult at the age of 18, meaning the game changes quite a bit for them. However, I know quite a few people who, despite being over the age of 18, would not be considered maturely an adult.

So in your opinion, what is an accurate criteria for one to be considered a full adult?

 

I look at it this way... 21 is the age when people in the US are Legally adults, because by then you can drink. In court, however a teen of 16 - 18 can be charged I adult crimes. In Japan, like in some of the animes... girls are considered adults by 16, because that is the earliest they can marry if arranged by parents. Either way, I feel if you can drive on your own at 18, and your parents consider you an adult and not their baby anymore, then you should hold your head high and be proud. Here's a comicical answer I give to most people who don't know me just so I can get a laugh and a smile. "If I'm old enough to serve my country in the military, to get married, to pick a President, and to drink, I damn well must be an adult. Wouldn't you say?"

 

hmmmm.. i think one will be considered a full adult once he/she manages his/her responsibilities well and is able to make a child go to school. well that just how i picture adults here my surroundings. i dont care about the age for as long as he can do both of the conditions i said above.

 

After they spend a night with me

Spoiler

Okay that was bad

27 and I have a heart of a child. Until the world finally beats me down I suppose. Legally though people expect you to start acting your age at 16. You'll fail of course then you turn 18. Probably fail again and then no more excuses once you turn 21.
Something like that.

 

Some minors who are legally emancipated by the courts because they have proven to be responsible enough to live on their own could also be considered an adult. Anyone at any age is capable of being an adult, legally though, it has to be done through the courts if you're younger than 18 (and by 21, you're a fully legal adult in the US).

The way I see it, you just have to be responsible enough to know where to draw the line when you let loose and enjoy your relaxation "rituals," whether it be watching movies, playing games, having a drink, or whatever. We'll use alcohol as an example. Being able to drink alcohol doesn't make people an adult, being able to control their drinking and knowing when they've had enough is what makes them an adult. If you drink until you pass out, you're not an adult, you're an overgrown child. You can pretty much apply this type of thinking to just about anything. I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's a fairly decent way to gauge your responsibility as an adult and whether you are mature enough to call yourself an adult. Don't get me wrong, adults can still be a kid at heart as long as you don't dump your responsibilities in the process.

 

I agree with Vash. Being an adult constitutes knowing your responsibilities, and working to make sure that they're taken care of at all times.

Although I'd like to add that I think that an adult is someone who is both emotionally stable and has their priorities straight. I think I'm about 66% of the way there. I know how to make a tough decision and how to make a good decision, and I have a plan for where I want to be right now, and that's just to save money until I figure out where I want to go with my life, so no matter what happens I have a good base to start with.

I'm just lazy and put things off. I also dislike doing work. So I guess my idea of an adult isn't really that solid huh? xD

 

Being a child or an adult is all a state of mind.

 

Holy shit, you and I actually agree on something.

When I turned 18 I considered myself to be an adult and, legally, I was, but it wasn't until recently that I learned to be responsible. I joined the Army at 17, moved out of my parent's house at 18, I thought I had everything figured out and all of the life experience that I would ever need. When I found myself failing to balance work, school, and my personal life, I realized that I wasn't as prepared for the "real world" as I thought that I was.

I have a car, I work, I go to school, I pay my taxes, I vote, and do everything else that would be considered the traditional or legal hallmarks of adulthood, but only in the past year or so have I learned when to work and when to play, as it were. I've learned to schedule my time so as to get everything done and still have time for myself. I've learned to work more efficiently and have stopped procrastinating. As a result, I find myself succeeding more often than not in most endeavors. I've learned to be responsible.

In addition to responsibility, I would argue that another key trait of an adult is reasonableness. I used to be very sure of my opinions and ideas, and my time in the Army only reinforced that. It wasn't until starting college and having my beliefs challenged that I learned to think about the world differently, I learned to be open to reason. In my view, nothing is sacred, none of my opinions is beyond revision or critique. It is childish and foolish to claim to know the world beyond any measure of doubt, and an adult should be open to reconsider and potentially revising their opinions when presented with contradictory empirical evidence.

That's it, really. Reason and responsibility are, in my opinion, the key attributes of an adult. I'm not sure that age or life experience factors into it, at least not to as great of a degree as these two traits. People often conflate experience with knowledge and knowledge with intelligence, when they are not the same thing, nor are they equal. Even on our death beds, we will not know all there is to know about the world and we will not have experienced all that it has to offer. As such, we will always be severely lacking in both knowledge and experience; but adulthood is not a state of perfection, it is, instead, an understanding of our flaws and an earnest desire to become a little better each day.

 

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

1 Corinthians 13:11 ​

 

My definition of adulthood is that of a biological one: "Any person of the age of 25, or otherwise ceased majorly developing their body, is an adult."

It's not a thought provoking or conversation initiating answer, but it's my answer, all the same.

 

I don't really know to be honest, I've always considered an adult to be one over the age of 18 who can act mature and make educated decisions when they are needed.

 

Same.

 

What I think though is that s long as the person is mature(as in reasonable, able to take care of themselves, and "play nice with others"... most of the time) And can support themselves they're an adult.

 

So I was an adult at 13??

Who actually loves doing work? don't get me wrong I love what I do but I would rather play video games, play hockey & and visit the world before working its just part of life?

My idea of an adult:
1. Can easily tell the difference between what's right and wrong.
IE: Murdering someone VERSUS not Murdering Someone.
2. Understand the consequences of his actions.
IE: Get smashed be an idiot and be hungover VERSUS drink responsibly and have fun
3. Capable of forming their own opinion and not always recite what their parents/society taught them.
IE: Mommy and Daddy says gay and lesbian are sinners and we should shun them VERSUS Mommy and Daddy says gays and lesbian are sinners but They seem like ok people to me!
4. Takes Responsibility.
IE: Sorry I am late for work today but my mommy didn't make me breakfast this morning VERSUS Sorry boss I screwed up and ill make sure to come in early tomorrow to make up for my mistake
5. Capable of functioning without mommy/daddy or legal guardian by their side.
IE: Mommy joins kids during their interview VERSUS Goes in the interview on his own.
6. Can except criticism with grace.
7. Can grow pubs on private parts!

hahaha last one is a joke....

IF you can check all those than I would say your an adult and you should just deal with it.....
It's ok to be a kid at heart Christ I am 31 years old and I still am..... but I am also not who I was when I was 18 I am a bit more reserve and aware of what is ok for me to say and not also more considerate of others feelings believe it or not but when I was 18 I was an even bigger asshole than I am right now I know shocking and hard to believe but its true!

Anyways those are my thoughts hope you agree if you dont then Go fuck yourselves!!! just kidding!

 

I always considered anyone in there 20's to be an adult. And an adult to me is someone who can take care of there responsibilities and be able to take care of themselves or at least to a certain degree. They know what's right and wrong and know how to still have some fun, but are smart about it and can still be serious and mature when they need to be or when it really matters the most. They don't act irresponsible and don't get drunk every night and just know how to take care of themselves and they aren't a complete idiot who can't function properly. They don't go around making excuse after excuse and they can man up to there actions and just know how to handle and present themselves. They should also know how to treat others well and just have there own views and opinions and not care so much about what others think cause you can't please everyone.