Adult

An adult is an animal that has reached full growth. For humans, this means the body and mind have developed enough to take care of themselves and others. The biological definition of an adult is an organism that has reached sexual maturity and can reproduction.

In our world, being an adult also has legal and social meanings. A legal adult is a person who has reached the age of majority. This means they are seen as independent and self-sufficient. Most places consider someone an adult at age 18, but this can change. For example, in the US, you must be 18 to vote or join the armed forces, and 21 to take on many financial responsibilities.

Becoming an adult can also involve special events in different cultures, like coming of age ceremonies. These mark the change from childhood to adulthood. Usually, these events happen when a person reaches a certain age, showing they are ready for the responsibilities of adult life.

Biological adulthood

Historically, becoming an adult often meant starting puberty, which is when the body changes and people can start having children. This change usually begins between ages 10 and 12. Girls often start a bit earlier, around age 10 or 11, while boys usually start around age 11 or 12. Puberty can end by ages 15 to 17 for girls and 16 to 17 for boys.

During the Industrial Revolution, many children had to work to help their families instead of going to school. Today, we know that being a full adult means more than just physical changes. It also includes taking responsibility for many parts of life. Scientists are still learning about when the brain is fully developed, with some older ideas suggesting age 25, but newer research shows development continues past age 30.

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Legal adulthood

Main article: Age of majority

When someone becomes a legal adult, it usually means they have reached the age of majority. This is when parents no longer have certain rights and responsibilities toward that person. The age for becoming a legal adult changes in different places.

In many places, being 18 years old means you are a legal adult. However, some places consider you an adult at 19, and a few places at 15 or 21. For example, in some Canadian provinces and U.S. states, you become a legal adult at 19.

There are also many activities where the rules are different even after you become a legal adult. For example, in some places you can vote at 18, but you might need to be 21 to buy certain items. These rules help protect younger people while they continue to grow and learn.

Social construction of adulthood

Unlike biological ideas about growing up, some scientists think becoming an adult depends on social factors. While all living things grow older naturally, what it means to be an adult changes based on where and when you live, as well as a person's background.

Over time, the ideas about what makes someone an adult have changed. In the past, people thought you became an adult by finishing school, leaving home, starting a job, getting married, or having children. Today, many young people feel they are adults when they start making their own choices, taking responsibility, and handling their own money.

A scientist named Jeffrey Arnett studied people aged 18 to 25 and called this time "emerging adulthood." He found that during this time, young people explore who they want to be, often feeling like they are in between being a teenager and a full adult. They may change where they live, focus on themselves, and feel hopeful about their future.

Religion

In Jewish tradition, boys become adults at age 13 and girls at age 12 through a special ceremony called the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. During this time, they learn about the Torah and other important Jewish practices. The Bible and Jewish scripture do not set a specific age for adulthood or for getting married.

Different religions have different ideas about what it means to be an adult. As people grow from teenagers into adults, their views on religion can change. Some people find religion less important when they live on their own, but many return to it when they get married or have families. How religion plays a role in someone’s life can differ a lot between different places and times.