how old is an 'adult'

[Bugsareinthebrook]

niece is 19.
Therefore an adult in my mind
sister in law calls her a child.

what do you think

18 is the legal age to be an adult but the brain doesn’t fully mature until 25.

So 18-25 young adult and 25 plus is adult in my mind

Hmm - I am in my 40's and only just realising that I am actually an adult

Full time responsible job, teenaged DCs, own house, pets married for yonks

I think up until a couple of years ago I felt I was just playing at adulting

So for me 40 is the bench mark

You're an adult at 18. It makes no difference what you have (or haven't) done, earned, studied, experienced etc. There is no one set way to be an adult except to be over 18. It's patronising to suggest someone is 'not an adult' just because they haven't jumped through certain hoops that some closed-minded types deem suitable.

There are many reasons why someone might not have left home, travelled or begun their working life. It could be lack of confidence due to abuse, neglect or a very controlling environment. It might be down to differences caused by mental illness, a hidden disability of a personal nature, learning difficulties, or ASD. It might be laziness or selfishness for some. It could be that someone is lacking in the basic practical or coping skills needed. None of these things make the person concerned a 'child'.

Well if you need to have a relationship lasting more than 5 years to be an adult I might never be one (attachment issues).

I also only bought my first home last year at 40. Some people never buy.

pets married for yonks

My dog is 5 (35 in doggy years) and he is definitely not mature enough to marry

You are an adult at 18.

Maturity or lack thereof is nothing to do with it. If we based it on maturity plenty of men would never fucking get there.

It's funny - my sister and I were very much independent by the time we were 18, having, worked, travelled extensively, lived independently, at university etc.

My 18-year-old niece I barely trust to get to the other side of the road by herself, tbh: she seems very immature compared to my sibling and I at the same age.

You can't compare age with maturity because some people never mature.

18

Never thought of this as anything other than hitting 18. Maturity is something different.

Insisting that a 19-year-old who is able to look after themselves at uni as a child sounds delusional tbh.

@MorningStarling

18 for legal responsibilities, but older if you define adult as someone who is no longer a child.

There isn't a set age when someone is truly an adult but for most it is between 25 and 30. Basically until you've done at least two of the following you're not an adult yet:

• had a fulltime job for five years
• had a permanent relationship for five years
• owned your home (incl. with mortgage) for five years

WTAF??

@fallfallfall

Those less than 25 are too immature emotionally to be considered adults in my books.

Like the average soldier in WW1?

Personally I feel adult is a legal definition. So 18. You can be childish and immature but an adult.

@MorningStarling

18 for legal responsibilities, but older if you define adult as someone who is no longer a child.

There isn't a set age when someone is truly an adult but for most it is between 25 and 30. Basically until you've done at least two of the following you're not an adult yet:

• had a fulltime job for five years
• had a permanent relationship for five years
• owned your home (incl. with mortgage) for five years

I love it when people just pull nonsense out of their arse.

My 18-year-old niece I barely trust to get to the other side of the road by herself, tbh: she seems very immature compared to my sibling and I at the same age.

Yet my 12 year old niece is very mature a s sensible. She can cook me a delicious meal, is great with my younger children, diligent and organised.

Of course she's an adult!!

I'm 43. I'm still my mother and father's child, no matter how long I've been a legally defined adult...

Niece will always be your SIL’s child! (Until grandchildren come along!)

@MorningStarling

18 for legal responsibilities, but older if you define adult as someone who is no longer a child.

There isn't a set age when someone is truly an adult but for most it is between 25 and 30. Basically until you've done at least two of the following you're not an adult yet:

• had a fulltime job for five years
• had a permanent relationship for five years
• owned your home (incl. with mortgage) for five years

LOL, I know lots of 35 year old non-adults!

19yo student is a bit of a halfway house really. Legally an adult and should be expected to behave responsibly.

But likely nowhere near financially independent, living out the home part-time at most, living that very particular (!) student lifestyle.

If this is about Christmas gifts, I think it's a bit mean not to include students unless money is an issue. I'd make being in employment the cutoff.

It's different in different situations. DD1 is now considered 'adult' by DWP at 16. I have had to become her appointee so she can apply for her disability benefits.

Why does it matter?

I'm 60. I'm pretty sure I'm still a child in my mother's eyes.

Er, she is a young adult who is also the child of your SIL.

This ^

I was recently chatting to my friend, not long after her 90th birthday, and she referred to "her children" - 2 of her sons are retired themselves. You dn will always be your SiL's child.
So context of the conversation is everything.

As so many have said, in the UK, 18 is the age when you legally become and adult, but people don't become and adult at the flick of a switch, we grow into it. Apparently the brain continues to develop until young adults are about 25.
Particularly those who turn 18 over the last 2 years haven't had the same chances to experience all those things that help you to develop into adulthood.

18 is legally adult. Though some people never grow up even when they grow old.