How do you define Adulthood?

[Fitswimmer]

I've been playing around with this question for a couple of weeks and I thought I'd let all of my friends here have a crack at it. My friend and I have been asking people of varied ages how they define adulthood. It's really interesting to hear the different responses.

My soon to be 21 year old niece said "an adult is someone who understands that there are other people in your world who are affected by your choices."

My friend's 5 year old piano student said "An adult can drive a car"

a 17 yr old we asked said "When you can make your own decisions"

If nothing else, it's an interesting conversation starter!

 

[AKL_Megs]

I think an adult is someone who pays for their own things - like rent, car insurance, things like that.

 

[Pam]

I think an adult is someone who pays for their own things - like rent, car insurance, things like that.

That's the exact words that I told my 21 year old daughter (a college student) a couple of weeks ago!

She said she was an adult. I told her no, she was "of age" but until she was totally 100% on her feet and functioning without the help of Mom and Dad's wallet, she wasn't an adult in my book.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

This is interesting.

I think being an adult is reaching a place in your life where you put needs ahead of wants, others before yourself, and can accept that what you should do is not neccesarily what you want to do.

I'm 32.

My son would say that being an adult is getting old enough that nobody bosses you around anymore.

He's 12. Boy, does he have a lot to learn.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Adulthood for me was understanding that everything you do has an affect on others.
Also it has meant you really need to pick your battles because life is just to short.

 

[EthansMom]

I'd say an adult is someone who pays for his/her own bills and cleans up his/her own messes.

 

[minnieandme]

That's the exact words that I told my 21 year old daughter (a college student) a couple of weeks ago!

She said she was an adult. I told her no, she was "of age" but until she was totally 100% on her feet and functioning without the help of Mom and Dad's wallet, she wasn't an adult in my book.

I would say the same thing. If you're 21 or older and still need your parents money or place to stay, you're not being an adult although you are legally of age.

 

[Tazicket]

I would say that being an adult means that you are able to support yourself. You are free to ask for help when you need it, but don't have to worry about others imposing their "help" (or, what they perceive as help) on you.

The freedom to do just about anything you want and the wisdom not to.

 

[Sandy V.]

That's the exact words that I told my 21 year old daughter (a college student) a couple of weeks ago!

She said she was an adult. I told her no, she was "of age" but until she was totally 100% on her feet and functioning without the help of Mom and Dad's wallet, she wasn't an adult in my book.

That's exactly how I describe it to my teenagers.

 

[GeorgeG]

I know a lot of people in their 30s who I can't consider and adult. Then, I know some people still in their teens that have many adult qualities. I think the original poster's niece came pretty close to nailing it.