When are you an adult?

[Tresbn00]

I heard this question asked during a meeting the other day and the answers were quite varied: Purchase of first car, purchase of first house, purchase of first appliance, first time voting, when you are legal age for drinking, when you attain legal age to join the military, when you have to take care of your own children, when you get married, even an answer that stated you felt you were an adult when you stooped down and picked up an errant ice cube instead of kicking it under the refrigerator. For me I felt that I was an adult when I started paying for my insurance on a house and a car. I felt like more of an adult when I had other people to take care of, namely, a wife and two children. It was also surprising how events that made people feel like an adult happened much later in life (age wise) for men.

[1imaginarygirl]

Not sure. I'm 41 and it hasn't happened to me yet. 

[annadote]

I wish I knew the answer to this question. I am in my mid 20s, but I don't feel like an adult. Of course it doesn't help that I have a baby face and someone told me the other day that I looked like I was 12. It doesn't help my case, but I just don't feel I have any idea what I am doing and under qualified to be an adult.

[countrygirl12]

I heard this question asked during a meeting the other day and the answers were quite varied: Purchase of first car, purchase of first house, purchase of first appliance, first time voting, when you are legal age for drinking, when you attain legal age to join the military, when you have to take care of your own children, when you get married, even an answer that stated you felt you were an adult when you stooped down and picked up an errant ice cube instead of kicking it under the refrigerator. For me I felt that I was an adult when I started paying for my insurance on a house and a car. I felt like more of an adult when I had other people to take care of, namely, a wife and two children. It was also surprising how events that made people feel like an adult happened much later in life (age wise) for men.

You are an adult when you turn 18.    Some of the things you mentioned some people never do.  Some people may never buy their own home, drink, join the military, or have kids.  But that doesn't mean they are not an adult.

[countrygirl12]

I wish I knew the answer to this question. I am in my mid 20s, but I don't feel like an adult. Of course it doesn't help that I have a baby face and someone told me the other day that I looked like I was 12. It doesn't help my case, but I just don't feel I have any idea what I am doing and under qualified to be an adult.

I doubt you look like you are 12.  People are stupid.  If you are in your 20's then you are most def an adult whether you act like it or not.  I know a woman who is 20 or 21 and she acts like she is in grade school.

[tnshpalmer85]

I think you are an adult when you can survive on your own without the help of others. I don't feel you have to have your own home or a vehicle because that may not be important to you.

[countrygirl12]

I think you are an adult when you can survive on your own without the help of others. I don't feel you have to have your own home or a vehicle because that may not be important to you.

Well the problem with that theory is there are lazy dead beats who never reach that stage.  Because they are lazy. They ARE adults they just prefer to play the system and get somebody else to take care of them.  I know a girl who on her 19th birthday was asked what she wanted to do with her life.  She laughed and said "I want to stay at home and have babies".  This idiot could not even take care of herself let alone a baby.  And it isn't because she couldn't.  It is because she is lazy.  She wants to stay home, pop out kids, and draw a government check.  She did finally get a crazy check.

[ghunter]

When you turned 21 but the law says 18 you are an adult, I don't agree

[rghvac69]

I believe you become an adult when you start paying your own way.

[madeara]

You are an adult when you can pay your own bills.

[NRAJOE]

I was an adult at 17....joined the Army and went to Germany....

[nmbrown863]

Even though you are technically an adult at 18 I think it all depends on how you act.

[vickysue]

I think when you move out of your parents house and  have a job, pay your way. I married  at 18 and had 2 small children  by the time I was 21. But I did not consider my self as an adult until I turned 21 and got  to vote,  and have a drink (which I didn't care for) But I got to vote. I think 18 is  too young to vote but if they are in the military then yes  they should be able too. so am  a little comfortable with that age  voting (although so many are not mature enough)  Now 16 is way too  young. they are still children and should not be able to vote.

[squirrelgirl44]

For me it was probably when I was working and paying for my own rent payment. I was not yet 18, so the age wasn't the determining factor.

[lhz123]

You are an adult if you reach 18 because you can vote already. But in mind its so difficult when you can say that someone is adult already if they don't act like one.