7 Things Young Adults Shouldn't Do if Adolescence Lasts to 25

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by Jenny Erikson 1 hour ago

If 40 is the new 30, and 30 is the new 20, does that make 20-year-olds 10? Maybe, if you buy into the updated guidelines being given to child psychologists. The BBC reports that adolescence no longer ends when people turn 18, but rather when they turn 25.

Yup, apparently there are now three stages of adolescence: Early adolescence ranges from 12 to 14 years, middle adolescence from 15 to 17 years, and 18 and over is classed as late adolescence. I’m sure we’ve all known someone in his or her 20s that refused to act like a responsible adult, but come on. Let’s not excuse immaturity on “developing brain patterns.” One would hope that our brains continue to grow and mature throughout the years, and just because a 20-year-old might not be as wise as a 40-year-old doesn’t make them a child.

But if this is really going to be a thing, and these legal “adults” want to be classified as children to avoid grown-up responsibilities, then there are some privileges they should just have to do without.

Drinking. This one is sort of self-explanatory. Adult beverages are for adults only.Driving. If a 25-year-old is still an adolescent, then a 16-year-old is practically a toddler. Hand over the keys until you’re mature enough to be trusted with heavy machinery, please.Credit Cards. It’s not free money, kids. You’re going to have to pay that all back someday. With interest.College. Do you really think children are responsible enough to choose a major and a career goal that will benefit them in the long run? Nope, let’s only let older people pursue higher education -- after they’ve learned a little about life.Voting. Children lack logical reasoning. They don’t get to pick our leaders.Tattoos. I know forever seems like the time it takes for spring break to get here when you’re 19, but tattoos are forever, and a dancing demon on your hiney isn’t going to seem like the best idea in a couple of decades.Sex. Think of how many STDs and abortions we could stop if there were a way to stop people from having sex until they were fully cognitive adults. Not to mention all the hurt feelings that could be prevented by young people getting too close too soon and getting their hearts broken.

Or you know, we can accept the fact that young adults may still be figuring out how to make a space for themselves on the planet, but they are adults and subject to all the responsibilities and privileges that come with it.

When do you think adolescence ends?

Image via Moyan Brenn/Flickr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jenny Erikson

is a conservative chick living in Southern California with her two daughters. She loves politics and hates laundry.

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