Why does adulthood happen at age 18?

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Amy McKenna

Encyclopedia Britannica Editor

Feb 24 '21

Assuming that you are referring to when one is considered an adult in a legal sense, it doesn’t necessarily happen at age 18. It really depends on where one lives. The age at which one reached the age of majority, or legally an adult, is 18 in many, but not all, countries. In the United States, the age at which one reaches the age of majority can vary by state. Most, but not all, states set it at age 18. That said, whether or not an individual is “old” enough can sometimes depend upon the activity in question, not the age of majority. In the United States, getting married, purchasing alcohol, or driving an automobile are all examples of activities for which the age requirement often differs from the age of majority.

So, why is 18 a common age for being recognized as an adult? Britannica’s article on minors, or those who have not yet reached the age of majority, notes that “The concept of minority rests on the assumption that children are incapable of self-management.” So presumably, 18 is a common age for which individuals are thought to be capable of self-management.