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Defining when someone ceases to be a child lacks consistency across societies. In the US, an 18-year-old can have various rights, but not the ability to purchase alcohol. Japan only recently recognized 19-year-olds as legal adults, yet just last month lowered the age of consensual sex from 13 to 16. South Korea required citizens to be 19 to vote until 2020, which is a year older than the legal age for marriage.
Even individuals themselves have trouble determining when they transition into adulthood. The complexities arise in situations like debating with parents over who pays the restaurant bill or realizing colleagues were born in the 21st century while still wanting to assert one’s youthful nature. Meeting younger siblings of old friends can also evoke a feeling of responsibility for their wellbeing, regardless of their current success. These ambiguities and contradictions contribute to the difficulty states face in defining the exact onset of adulthood.
However, cultural norms do change over time. In the 1980s, the Sun newspaper featured 16-year-old topless models on its infamous “Page 3.” Yet, recently, the same publication accused a 61-year-old BBC presenter of inappropriate behavior with a 17-year-old and a 23-year-old on a dating site. While some of these changes may be hypocritical tabloid tactics, not all of them are.
One of the reasons for the divide in determining the rights of younger individuals among states, families, and the media is the conflict between our desire for personal freedom and our concern for the safety of our loved ones. This conflict can strain relationships between parents, siblings, and individuals responsible for younger individuals.
Furthermore, we are currently experiencing both cultural and technological shifts in defining “adulthood.” Children are growing up in a different context than before.
This change can be attributed, in part, to the evolving demands of Western labor markets, leading to extended periods of education for young people. Universities face the challenge of fostering academic freedom while also dealing with pressure from regulations and parents to monitor and support their students. Additionally, the impact of AI on the labor market may further increase the time young individuals spend in education.
Technological advancements have also made it easier for parents to supervise and care for their children, resulting in an extended period of effective childhood and adolescence.
Demographics also play a role in this phenomenon. Advocates for more freedom and autonomy for young individuals tend to be the young themselves, while parents and other adults advocate for increased protection. In advanced economies with longer periods of full-time education and an aging population, policies and cultural trends tend to treat young adults as children.
Many of us are not fully honest about our role in this dynamic. We often prefer to protect and shelter the young people we know well, while complaining about the consequences when encountering young people outside of our immediate circle. In reality, we would rather have other people’s children go through the hardships of life.
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