The day that most American teens wait for after the excitement of their sweet 16 has passed. The day that marks a miles stone in one's life. This event can be nothing other than the thrill of turning 18. No other age in life so far can compare, as the excitement of new opportunities and choices fill the brains of these adolescents. After all, when your 18th birthday comes knocking you are crowned as an adult ... sort of.
In actuality, you become an adult with restrictions. But do not worry kids, adulting still applies.
In America the adult responsibilities are given in waves, like those found in a melody. Wave one enters at 18. Followed by wave two at 21. The last entrance features wave three at 25.
When all of this is taken into account, Americans are not considered full adults until the age of 25. At the age of 18 these restrictions may feel unfair, especially as general society wants everything now without delay. The reality is that this seven year transition from an adolecent into a "real" adult is in place for our benefit.
For the purposes of this article, the term wave represents individual groups of notes. Just as in a song when notes are combined, so too are these waves. Together they create a beautiful melody. In fact, here these notes are represented by responsibilities that are given at a specific age.
Wave one: when 18 you can...
1. Vote.
While the idea of voting seems awesome, it may be harder than you thought to decide where you stand come election day.
2. Get a tattoo.
Express yourself with the pattern, or use it as a meaningful statement.
3. Decide for yourself.
Now that you can make (most) decisions on your own, you might find yourself more indecisive than ever before. What's for dinner is on you now.
Wave two: when 21 you can...
4. Legally drink.
Want to go to the bar with friends or go wine tasting? Now you can. Cheers!
5. Supervise a learning driver.
To do this, one must have been a licensed driver for three years with good standing. You will also want to bring along your calm state of mind, as there might be stressful situations ahead.
6. Become a foster parent.
Give back by caring for a child who needs a home. Just be careful that you are ready, because you don't want to end up caring for two kids: the child and yourself.
Wave three: when 25 you can...
7. Rent a car.
Need to get somewhere by wheel in a place you are visiting? Fear no more: you can rent your wheels for the day without much hassle now!
This melody of responsibilities would not be complete without the steady beat that is present from the cue of wave one. The wave is independent of age after turning 18 and always requires you to stay on top of the responsibilities that come with it.
1. Expense responsibilities.
Budgeting and other financial responsibilities that are not often taught in school are now your domain to conquer. Best of luck.
2. Applying for a credit card.
Want to start building credit for when you need it in the future? Apply for a credit card, but be aware that it might be harder then expected to get approved for the first one.
3. Working restrictions are lifted.
You are now eligible to work 40 hours a week without limitations that kept you from working full time as a minor. Go out and earn what you deserve!
Being an adult at 18 is different that being an adult at 25. The first age has less responsibilities, which is a blessing, because even adulting requires baby steps. In fact, the seven year span between 18 and 25 can give time for one to understand how to handle the pressures that come with the reality of adulting.
In order to be successful at combining the waves of notes in your adulting melody, requires a lot of learning and challenging yourself to extend past your comfort zone. The good news is that hopefully by the end of the seven years adulting will be a little less scary and lot more doable.
By the time the 25 candles are blown out, this approach at growing up can allow you to be prepared to rent your first car on a vacation. In fact, if these years of training had been a financial success, you might even have the cash to take the vacation that requires the use of a rental car. Look, now we are going places!
No matter if you are 18 going on 21, or 21 going on 25, I challenge you to join me in embracing the moments that will come and pass in this seven year transition. After all, you never know how these years will shape your brain for the rest of the adulting you yet have to conquer in your future as a full time adult.
Just remember, the melody of life can only be fantastic if the waves of notes enter on the correct cue! Now take a deep breathe and adult on!
