> rather than a gradual acquisition of actual maturity I don't think that's for the reasons you outlined, but rather because adolescents are treated like child

> rather than a gradual acquisition of actual maturity I don't think that's for the reasons you outlined, but rather because adolescents are treated like children right up until they've turned 18 and finished high school. They go from basically having the rights and responsibilities of a child, to those of an adult, rather than a gradual growth of those rights and responsibilities as they mature. Also, is it not common for teenagers to have jobs any more? I got my first job when I was 15, and haven't been unemployed for longer than a month since (I'm in my late 20s now).