When do you really become an adult?- The thin line between Adolescence and Adulthood

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The passage from adolescence to adulthood is frequently depicted as a distinct turning point, characterised by biological development, cultural customs, or legal rights. But asking "When are we really adults?" reveals a much more nuanced and complex reality. Not only is the boundary between adolescence and adulthood thin, but it is also hazy, arbitrary, and heavily influenced by social, philosophical, and psychological factors.
 From a psychological perspective, reaching specific developmental milestones has historically been linked to adulthood. The stage of intimacy vs. isolation, which is when people establish enduring relationships outside of their family of origin, is how developmental psychologist Erik Erikson, a pivotal figure in the field, defined adulthood. Adolescence before this point is characterised by identity vs. role confusion, in which people struggle to define themselves. The transition from one to the other is more about how these conflicts are resolved internally than it is about age.  According to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, people start thinking abstractly at the age of twelve, when they enter the "formal operational stage." However, neuroscience provides a different perspective. The prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain involved in impulse control, long-term planning, and decision-making, is still developing well into the mid-20s, according to recent studies. This explains why many legal adults, who may still display more adolescent-like behaviours, are either 18 or 21 years old, depending on the country. Adulthood differs greatly among cultures. In certain cultures, rites of passage—ceremonial occasions that mark the conclusion of childhood and the adoption of adult responsibilities—are used to usher in adulthood. However, the shift is frequently more hazy in industrialised societies, spanning decades due to prolonged schooling, financial reliance, and postponed marriage or parenthood.

In philosophy, the concept of autonomy is frequently associated with adulthood. According to Immanuel Kant, maturity is the capacity to act rationally and think for oneself without outside direction. In this sense, being an adult has less to do with age or biological status and more to do with moral and intellectual self-governance. In a similar vein, existentialist philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre maintained that growing up means taking ownership of one's freedom and making decisions independently of other people's definitions or justifications. Arnett's theory of emerging adulthood, describes this transitional stage, which usually lasts from the ages of 18 to 25, during which people consider their identities, values, relationships, and career options. It is a time of self-discovery and instability that is different from both adolescence and conventional adulthood. In the end, becoming an adult is a gradual process rather than a single event. It could entail developing empathy and wisdom, becoming independent, accepting responsibility for one's actions, or reaching psychological maturity. While some teenagers may exhibit exceptional maturity, it is possible to be legally an adult while still being emotionally or morally adolescent.

 Throughout life, the fine line separating adolescence and adulthood is negotiated, contested, and redefined. Perhaps becoming an adult is more about the continuous process of a constantly changing dance between self-awareness, responsibility, and freedom- rather than it is about reaching a certain destination.