18 is where we as a nation have "decided" that a person is mature enough to make these kinds of decisions (except for alcohol, thank you very much Federal Aid H

18 is where we as a nation have "decided" that a person is mature enough to make these kinds of decisions (except for alcohol, thank you very much Federal Aid Highway Act). At 18 you're your own person, for better or worse. I don't think coddling people any longer makes things better--eventually you need to grow up and be your own person and be responsible for yourself. At that point your parents have fulfilled their legal responsibilities to you, and you are responsible from there forward. There are a lot of benefits that come along with being an adult, but you can't have it both ways: the benefits of being a child and no responsibilities but the ability to make decisions for yourself.