To ask why teenagers are seen as so much younger these days

[Ohpeirsmaorgam]

Just that really there was a thread back in 2010 about someone getting married at 16 and the overwhelming response was it was fine just about but a recent thread about raising the age led people to say how disgusting the whole thing was and how 16 was far to young. People age 18-22 are still seen as adolescents by many people. Generally speaking teenagers are seen as far more immature and are seen as ready for things far later. Aibu to ask why you think this is?

IMO, part of it is because we now understand more about the development of the brain.

Prior to 2003, 16 year olds could legally pose for page 3. That didn't mean it was right though.

Change happens.

There was a thread last night that again made me realise how much kids (actually was an adult 18!) are so wrapped up in cotton wool these days, I was living alone at 16 yet people these days I’ve noticed saying they wouldn’t leave their 16 year old home alone for more than an hour and certainly not overnight!

Teenagers never existed in the same way years ago. Many started full time work aged 15. There weren't special teenage things. They were expected to bring a wage in and would have been expected to help out at home (well at least the girls)

No, getting married at 16 seemed insane to me when I was that age in the 1980s!

We acknowledge that the brain doesn't fully develop until mid 20's, we have upped the mandatory education age until 18, society moves on with the input of soft science.

It's an advancement of science, there will be a short overlap of it seeming unfair just the same as it was when it was acceptable to send 15 year olds out into the real world of work.

School leaving age was 15 until 1972 and now is effectively 18.

People used to treat children as small adults because they didn't understand that this was damaging. Now we know better.

I don't really see people treating young adults as adolescents, though. Maybe appreciating a young adult may be less capable/confident that someone older.

University wasn't as popular. Most people I know left school at 16 and went to work and instantly thrown into an adult world. Now it's the norm to wear a school uniform until you're 18 and some people are still students at 23.

Plus no one can afford to leave home so they become adults living as children in their parents home.

It's a strange situation all round.

We just know so much more now. We also live longer lives and aren't in a race to grow up. The adolescent brain doesn't finish developing until 25.

I’ve recently read back the diary I wrote when I was 16. I was definitely not an adult (it was a painfully cringe inducing read), although it was very clear that I thought I was.

The main objection to 16-year-olds getting married is not about getting in the way of “young love” between teenagers, but revulsion at vulnerable 16-year-old girls being married off to men twice their age and then some (which is all ok because it’s cultural.)

I'm in my 50s and when I was 16 it was not at all normal to get married at that age.

Meanwhile my 16 year old is about to drive 120 miles to our house and spend the night there alone... I'm sure he'll be fine.

@Stompythedinosaur

People used to treat children as small adults because they didn't understand that this was damaging. Now we know better.

I don't really see people treating young adults as adolescents, though. Maybe appreciating a young adult may be less capable/confident that someone older.

Young adults are constantly viewed around here as barely capable of functioning without mum and dad. Where have you been? This is also damaging but noone seems to care.