Three Reasons the Age of Majority Should Be Raised from 18 to 21
Should the Age at Which a Child Legally Becomes an Adult be Changed?
1. Raising the age of majority from 18 to 21: less young people will die in battles and wars.
For most people, graduation from high school presents a major question of what to do next. Some people may choose to delay going to college in favor of joining the military. By serving in the military before going to college, the financial aspects of college will be easier to weather. Of course, that is assuming the young person makes it through their time in the military.
If the age of majority is changed from 18 to 21, young people at age 18 will no longer have the option to join the military. They will be more likely to go on to college immediately after high school graduation. Taking college courses will help broaden their horizons, and they will be much more mentally prepared to decide whether the military is the right choice for them at age 21.
2. Raising the age of majority from 18 to 21: there will be legal consistency regarding what a person of a certain age is considered legally competent to decide.
Many people think it is strange that the age of legally becoming an adult is age 18, but the age to legally consume alcohol is age 21. At age 18, the decision whether to join the U.S. military is considered to be completely within the realm of competent decision-making, but an 18 year old is not considered competent to choose whether to consume an alcoholic beverage. Both decisions can have serious consequences, but surely going to war will have at least as many grave mental and physical consequences as choosing to consume alcohol. Changing the age of majority from 18 to 21 (or conversely, changing the age of allowing alcohol consumption from age 21 to age 18) would result in legal consistency regarding what a person of a certain age is considered legally competent to decide.
3. Raising the age of majority from 18 to 21: the population, which has been increasing at an alarming rate, may begin to level off or decrease.
When deciding whether to have children, perhaps many would-be parents would think twice if they knew they would be responsible for the children through age 21 rather than through age 18. Perhaps those people who would choose not to have children because they would be responsible for the children longer would be wise to choose not to have children in the first place. Why have children if there is a lack of will to be responsible for them through the age of majority?
The world population is increasing at an alarmingly rapid pace. Currently, the world population is at over 6.5 billion people. A leveling off or decrease in the population could have many beneficial effects worldwide, including decreasing or eliminating hunger.
Published by Lori Wheat
Lori Wheat is a progressive, reformed attorney turned freelance writer, gardener, and property manager. She lives with her wonderful husband and adopted greyhound dog in Norman, Oklahoma. View profile
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21 Comments
Post a CommentI personally don't see the point of the drinking age to be 21 if young adults are still consuming it. They can still get their hands on alcohol either way you put it. And my opinion is, if someone does something stupid with the drink why would you care if your never going to meet them or even care to know them?
I agree with this. Maybe it should be raised to 23 where there will be more changes in the person than at 21. However since the current age is appareantly at 18, 21 would be much better. As a 19 year old it feels very strange to be called and treated like an adult, I mean the time is simply not right yet. Alot of 18 year olds are still in school, many still live with their parents or live financially dependant to their parents. Also what's the point of being and adult if you can't drink and in many documents you are technically dependant until age 23. So it would be much better if the age of majority is raised immediately to 21 or 23.
Age of majority should and should have always stayed 21 years old all adult rights at 21 people say 18 year olds aren't grown.
There is no perfect age of majority, but at some point we have to tell our children "You're adults. Do what you want with your lives."
We must be consistent, however. I would not be able tell an 18-year old that he's an adult citizen, and then give him a ticket for drinking a beer.
Lori,
You can't hang on to them forver-next you will want to (CONTROL) the lives of your parents(elders)!
This is not about anything other than (CONTROL) as a lawyer I doubt when you were 21: you would have wanted someone controlling you!
We can not protect them forever-they have to join the real world-not stay coddled and in their shells as you would like for them to be!
Shame on You!
I say lower the age of majority to 16, drinking, gambling, smoking, staying out late, everything at 16!
Well Lori,
Here in Connecticut we just raised the age of majority from 16 to 18. A campaign I was heavily involved in.
That leaves (2) states... North Carolina and New York out of proportion with the rest of the United States in coming to an agreement of when an individual can be legally considered accountable as an adult.
It is quite confusing when you can drive at 16, buy cigarettes at age 18, drink and buy alcohol at age 21. What to do ? Confusing and frustrating !
Tired of Insanity: I sympathize with your point and applaud your maturity. When I wrote this article, I was coming at the issue from a children's/young person's rights perspective. People who choose to be parents should be responsible for their children longer, but in a way that does not limit the young person's autonomy. Also, young people should be protected from aggressive military recruitment. So, I would proceed in a way that adds to your "adult rights" (or young person's rights) rather than taking away from them.
I suppose I wouldn't be the first 20 year-old to complain--but please, this is crazy. I'm in graduate school! It is hard enough not being able to meet my colleagues at the bar after conferences. Having a four year degree ought to count for something. I am responsible. I graduated from college at the age of 19, and now teach part time at a university. Now, apparently, there are some who would take my "adult rights" away. Not all of us are immature! Seriously.
I agree, thou I wouldnt call them children I would set it out like this -
Child - 17 or under
Young Person - 18-20
Adult - 21+