heartlandcanuck Wrote:
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> Am I alone in thinking that the age of majority
> should be 18? Technically, if one is an adult, as
> in can sign a contract, vote, and be legally held
> responsible for his or her actions, why is he or
> she "too young" to have a beer? And what about the
> military? 18 year old men must register for the
> draft, so aren't they adults? 17 is old enough to
> join the military. So we say someone is
> responsible enough to drive a tank, old enough to
> risk his or her life on behalf of the government,
> yet is too young and tender to celebrate finishing
> boot camp (or a return from deployment) with a
> glass of champagne?
I can only say this: 18 is not as mature as 21. When I was 18, I got a settlement and bought a classic Camaro. And spent, spent, spent the money. I wished they would have made me wait until 21. Believe it or not, 21 "IS" a little more mature than 18.
My son said the same thing. He was in an accident at 8 years old, when he turned 18, he bought a brand new Camry. And spent the rest on life's fun pleasures. He told me the other day, "Mom. I wish they would have waited to give me all that money. I would have likely still had some. They should have given it to me at 21, when I was a little smarter."
So, that's my example. I know those who say you die for your country at 18, why can't you drink then? I think because 18 year olds a dumb-er about life than 21. Maybe the law thinks an 18 year old will drink and crash their car. They call it "emotional maturity"