Turning 18 – Teens at the Threshold of Adulthood

The Age of Majority Includes Rights and Responsibilities

Dec 20, 2008 Alex Sharp

In most states, turning 18 opens new doors, because this is the age when they are legally responsible for their choices and actions.

Even thought they have been adults for some time, most parents remember the sense of freedom and opportunity that comes with turning 18 in America. 18 is the age of independence. Most students graduate high school during the school year that they turn 18, many move away from home. Parents should help their teenagers – who, at 18, are teenage adults, understand what being an adult means legally.

Changes in Legal Consequences

Many heinous crimes allow younger teenagers to be prosecuted as adults, but most under 18 crimes are treated under juvenile law, and law enforcement has different options with offenders under 18 because they can involve parents. What might be a stern lecture from a police officer at the age of 17 turns into a stern lecture from a judge at age 18.

Anyone at the age of 18 will be prosecuted as an adult, and teenagers must understand that when two minors drink illegally, they face one set of consequences. When a minor and a person of majority age drink illegally, the 18 year old faces more serious consequences.

18 is the age when teenagers can have their voices heard legally, in several different ways.

The Right to Vote

According to federal voting standards, any competent person with a sixth grade education is qualified to vote, and anyone aged 18 or older can not be denied the right to vote based on age. Most 18 year olds are beyond seventh grade, and most high-school students engaged in learning about civics. Teenagers tend to be interested in politics, and being able to vote is an important step in being a responsible citizen. Parents should make sure that their 18 yea-olds understand how to be educated on local, state, and national elections.

Jury Duty

18 year-olds are eligible to serve on juries. Parents should make their teenagers aware of the responsibilities of being a juror. Anyone called to jury duty must follow the instructions on the summons. There are provisions for people who are out of town or unable to appear in court personally, but teenagers should be prepared to attend court and participate on a jury.

Turning 18 offers a lot of opportunities for independence, and teenagers should be taught to carefully weigh the consequences of their choices, because some choices pave the roads they will travel for some time.

Signing Contracts

18 year-olds can buy and sell things, enter working contracts, and have legal issues addressed in civil court. Parents should make their teenagers aware that 18 year olds can be sued for not following through on contracts, and teach them how to read contracts carefully.

Getting Married

Most 18 year-olds are legally able to get married, except in Nebraska, where the legal age is 19. Anyone getting married must understand that it is a contract, and that a spouse can be held legally liable for another spouse's actions, such as running up credit card bills.

Applying for Credit and Loans

Many teenagers will need to apply for college loans, and teenagers will be offered credit cards. Parents must help their teenagers wade through the fine print and prepare them to enter the confusing adult world of borrowing money.

Moving Out

Teenagers who move out will most likely enter rental agreements. They will need to understand how to set up utilities and understand leases. They need to be able to live independently, and understand laws governing neighborhood responsibilities, such as parties that disturb the peace.

Joining the Military

The military will recruit and accept 18 year-olds, and parental consent is not necessary to join the military. Parents should prepare their 18 year-olds for the permanence of entering the military; unlike college, one does not drop out of military service.

18th birthdays are important ones. They are the celebrations of someone who is still young enough to expect parental protection, such as being covered under parental health insurance and car insurance plans, but someone old enough to enter the adult world and participate in the opportunities it offers.

The copyright of the article Turning 18 – Teens at the Threshold of Adulthood in Parenting Teens is owned by Alex Sharp. Permission to republish Turning 18 – Teens at the Threshold of Adulthood in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Turning 18 is an Important Birthday

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