How old is an adult? Global standards and social debate
In recent years, the age definition of “adult” has triggered widespread discussions around the world. With social development and legal revisions, there are significant differences in the definition of the age of adulthood in different countries. This article will explore the current status and controversy of this issue based on the hot topics and structured data on the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Comparison of global adult age standards
The following are the legal age of majority regulations in major countries and regions:
| Country/Region | legal age of majority | Special instructions |
|---|---|---|
| China | 18 years old | Article 17 of the Civil Code clearly stipulates |
| USA | 18 years old (most states) | The drinking age in some states is 21 |
| Japan | 20 years old → 18 years old (revised in 2022) | Lowered to 18 years old, but drinking and smoking are still restricted |
| germany | 18 years old | There are restrictions on drinking under 16 years old |
| iran | 15 years old (male), 9 years old (female) | religious legal implications |
2. Recent hot controversies
1.“Psychological adulthood” is out of touch with legal age: Social media is hotly discussing the phenomenon of "still having a giant baby at the age of 30". Neuroscience research shows that the prefrontal lobe of the brain (responsible for decision-making) only matures at about 25 years old.
2.The consequences of lowering the age of adulthood in Japan: After Japan lowered the age of adulthood from 20 to 18 in 2022, recent data shows that loan disputes among teenagers have increased by 47% (Source: Japan Consumer Agency).
3.China's "post-00s" coming-of-age ceremony craze: Douyin’s #18-year-old coming-of-age ceremony topic has been viewed 1.2 billion times, and Hanfu coming-of-age ceremony and constitutional oath have become new trends.
3. Key data statistics
| Survey items | Data results | Sample source |
|---|---|---|
| Netizens support raising adult age ratio | 38.7% | Weibo voting (100,000 participants) |
| Self-renting rate among 18-25 year olds | 61.2% | Shell Research Institute 2024 Report |
| Proportion of “mentally immature” defense among juvenile delinquents | 19.3% | China judicial big data |
4. Multi-dimensional perspective analysis
legal perspective: The age of majority requires balancing civil rights and social responsibilities. For example, the UK allows 16-year-olds to get married but 18-year-olds can vote.
economic perspective: Lowering the age of adulthood may stimulate consumption. Sales of alcoholic beverages in Japanese convenience stores increased by 23% due to age reduction.
educational perspective: A survey by Tsinghua University shows that 68% of college students believe that “campus life delays the socialization process.”
5. Forecast of future trends
1.staged adulthood system: It is possible to set stepped ages according to different rights (elections, loans, marriage).
2.Digital Adult Certification: Alipay has piloted an "electronic adult certificate" that integrates legal rights and biometric technology.
3.Global standards convergence: The United Nations recommends that member countries uniformly adopt the 18-year-old standard, but 21 countries have not yet adopted it.
Conclusion
The definition of the age of adulthood is not only a legal issue, but also a microcosm of social culture. Under the three dimensions of physical maturity, psychological cognition and social needs, this discussion about "how old is considered an adult" will continue to ferment. The final answer may not lie in a single number, but in how to build a more scientific growth support system.
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