When Do You Become an Adult?

To first answer this question, one must ask themselves what they personally expect from an adult. Who do you look at and consider to be mature enough, wise enough, and independent enough to be worthy of the title?

In my opinion, it has little to do with age and everything to do with the actual person at question. Sure, legally at 18 one can start making their own decisions about voting, buying and smoking cigarettes, joining the army, and piling up credit card debt. However, I believe that some of those decisions, if not all, help mold a person in various ways on their path to adulthood.

I know that I am impressed with someone who has massive responsibilities. Additionally, people who become self-sufficient financially after college are most likely on their way to becoming a full-on grown-up as well. Seeing that someone has life goals, ambitions, and a plan to accomplish these things also commands respect from me, personally.

Another aspect of “adulting’” to me is making your own choices, even on a small scale. Some people do this from a very young age if their parents and/or guardians encourage independence and creativity. Others include their parents in every decision—even people who are about to graduate college.

Being an adult has many components that even I haven’t mentioned, and probably more than I know. As I said before, the definition of ‘adult’ is subjective and typically unique to a degree.