When do you become an adult?

[TWRule]

Responsibility in thought and deed is the key hallmark of an adult, there's no specific event or status that determines it, and it is entirely possible to lose adult status by that standard. I've known financially independent college graduates that were less capable of being responsible than some 10-12 year old children I know.

This. Though I would emphasize the radical nature and scope of that responsibility. I don't want to speak for anyone else here, but I'm not talking about mowing the lawn and paying your bills on time. I'm talking about realizing that you are partly responsible for the state of the world, humanity, and have chosen to confront the profound problems therein (this leaves about 99% of the modern world population as perpetual children unfortunately).

 

[gazumped]

It definitely wasn't a rite of passage for me.

You've just made me realise, I went into my last relationship feeling like a child, I came out of it feeling like an adult. (It was nothing to do with the relationship, but it's one way of measuring time and ordering my memories.)

Over the last couple of years I've learned a lot about myself and my place in society, how my actions affect others and how the actions of others affect me. I've gained awareness in how to be my own person, to say no, to stop trying to please others all the time.

I'm still a student and my dad still gives me rent money, but I can't honestly call myself a girl any more.

 

[IndomitableSam]

My sister and I still often stop, look at each other, and wonder aloud how we're almost 30. I still feel (in the mental sense - working on the physical) like I'm 19-20ish. We have a home, own cars, pay bills, etc. But we still fight like children and then firve minutes later we're back playing a game.

So, no, not grown up. I didn't even feel grown up when I was teaching children. Don't know if I ever will.

 

[capper42]

I'm not sure to be honest. I'm 20, but I still feel exactly the same as I did when I was 16. I think university has helped prolong my childhood to be honest.

I think this is quite apt to the thread

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