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Around the world, the legal age at which an individual enters adulthood generally ranges from 16-21. This magic number, whatever it may be, is known as the age of majority. At that age, in the U.S., an individual is responsible for him or herself and can legally enter into a contract -- not exactly the most exciting rite of passage, but hey, at least you can get your own cell phone. In most states the age of majority is 18. As for marriage and driving, different minimum ages apply state-by-state. You might have "21"
on the brain because it's the legal drinking age in all 50 states. This, apparently, is the highest drinking age in the world. Culturally, the age at which someone is considered an adult often varies from legal status. In the Jewish faith, for example, a child is recognized as an adult at 13, and is henceforth responsible for obeying the Commandments. Whether speaking legally, physiologically, or sociologically, perception of when an individual formally passes from childhood is a complicated matter. An entry
in Boston College's Sloan Work and Family Encyclopedia is a fine (albeit academic) survey of the intricate factors that go into our changing definitions of adulthood.
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