Consistency. That’s all.
We are a litigious society. Whether we are that way because of cultural norms or in spite of them is somewhat irrelevant. However, we have set a number of laws related to ages, specifically outlining at what age people are initially allowed to do something BY LAW.
These laws are meant to deter people who do not have physical ability, mental aptitude, or the developed maturity to make decisions on their own. In most states, 18 is the age where you are considered an adult. It’s kind of a blanket statement, but there is a variation in both directions on when we have determined America’s youth possess the capability to do things.
What there isn’t…consistency. None of it makes sense, really, but there is LEGAL precedent set in varying degrees about what our youth are and are not capable of. Within these laws, neither parental consent nor supervision override the law. In other words, if I allow my child under the age of 21 to consume alcohol in my house, I can be held legally liable. If I allow my child under the age of 18 unrestricted access to the guns in my house and something terrible happens, I can be held liable.
These are not all old laws. In my lifetime, the legal drinking age has increased to 21 in all states. The legal age to purchase tobacco has gone up from 18 to 21 in many states. We have established new laws as the legal use of marijuana has been passed and determined that 21 is also the legal age for purchase. Here are some examples:
Purchase alcohol: 21
Purchase tobacco: 21
Purchase marijuana (where legal): 21
Purchase a pistol: 21
Serve in the Military: 18 (17 with parental permission)
Vote: 18
Purchase a rifle or shotgun: 18
Purchase or view pornography (NC-17 rating): 18/17
Purchase ammunition: 18
Drive a vehicle: 16 (although this is varying more and more)
We have laws in every state to ensure that kids below the age of 18 are limited to when, how much, and how late kids can work. Child labor laws are there to protect our children from being taken advantage of by employers AND their parents.
So, in this litigious society, where we have established thousands of laws at the Federal and State level, that limit, protect, or allow our children below the age of 18 and some adults ABOVE the age of 18 to do or not do certain things, why do we do this? Why is it so inconsistent? Why are the ages all over the place?
Culturally, we have determined they cannot handle the responsibility. They do not have the physical, mental, or emotional capacity to make the decisions related to these restrictions. In many cases, even their parents don’t get to give permission that bypasses the law. The base age seems to be 16, but most of the allowances occur at 18 and 21. Some of these allowances are pretty simple, honestly, but we as a society have determined these are the norms we want enforced BY LAWS.
So, if a 19 year old can’t buy beer even if she lives on her own, has a job, and takes care of herself, why the FUCK are we allowing 7 and 8 year olds who haven’t even hit puberty yet to determine their sex? I mean, WE endorse the laws that restrict the 19 year old, but we don’t have any laws to protect that elementary school kid?
We’ve decided a 14 year old has to have parental permission to work, can only work a small number of hours weekly, and can’t work past a certain time of day. Those laws are in place to protect that CHILD from being exploited by an employer or a parent. But, we don’t have laws to protect a juvenile from sex change surgery or hormone blockers when the potential for exploitation exists by a parent, guardian, or some other sick fuck who is manipulating them for their own benefit?
Seriously, what the fuck are we doing? As a parent, I can’t give my OWN kid under the age of 21 a beer without risk of child neglect charges but some schools want to be able to coach, counsel, and privately advise SOMEONE ELSE’S kid about abortion or sex change surgery without parental notification or consent. Is that OK when they are 16? Or is it 17? Is it 18 when they are legal adults? Is it never?
This is NOT an attack on the LGBTQ+ community. Frankly, I don’t care what you do with your life AS AN ADULT. But, in this country, we have determined there are A LOT of things our children and even young adults are NOT capable of managing so we have laws in place to protect them from others and THEMSELVES. So, why not this? Seriously? It doesn’t make ANY sense to me.
These are MAJOR life decisions. This isn’t buying a pack of cigarettes.
All I am asking for is to be consistent in the legal decisions regarding our children. CONSISTENCY. Is it 18? Is it 16? Is it 21? What is it?
Consistency. That’s all.