Why am I considered an "adult" if I am still treated like a child?

[LadieNisha4u2nv]

So I was online looking at what the carnival cruise line has to offer cuz I was trying to go on a cruise between this year and next year. So I went to check the age requirement to travel alone and it says you must be 21 years or older or if under 21 you must be accompanied by someone over 25. I am super ****ing pissed off by this. I mean, I'm so called a legal adult, so why am i still limited to some shit like children? Why am I considered an adult when there is certain things I can not do? This goes for clubs as well. I cant get in to some clubs cuz you gotta be 21 to get in just cuz of alcohol. I barely drink. I only drink Smirnoff which is basically watered down juice to me. Its unfair to treat me as an adult when it comes to criminal shit but when it comes to enjoying myself I am treated like I dont belong. This pissed me off tonight, it really did. I doubt it would matter to you guys cuz you are guys are all of age and beyond, so you guys are lucky.

[Gribble]

I think it's bullshit. If 18 year olds are mature enough to be handed an assault rifle and carted off to Iraq to get their limbs blown off they're old enough to drink a ****ing beer without some dipshit giving them a hard time.

[Junket]

Lets burn this mother down.

[doppelgaenger]

American government hasn't yet heard the phrase "Live and let live"

[Mish]

Legal age in Aus is 18

[misombra]

that sucks.

but i'm not that sympathetic cause i'm 30 and have never been on a cruise.

but when you turn 21 i'll be happy to be your accompaniment!

[vashti]

I think they should raise the age for the military to 21.

[misombra]

some of the people we're warring with have been training with assault rifles since they were 5.

[Lite]

Pretty much it's a legal definition, and isn't really reflective on the person. However because it is a legal definition they (people in general) us it as a basic point of delineation and cutoff.

You're in for a few more rude awakenings about the 21-25 bit. In many states in the US you cannot even rent a car unless you're 25, pay an extra fee, or have a secondary driver that is 25.

In many states you cannot rent a car until you're at least 21, or rent a hotel room until you are.

When I turned 18 I could buy lotto tickets and gamble, but not drink. A year later when I was 19 they had changed the law so that I couldn't buy lotto tickets or gamble. They didn't even grandfather people in.

The 18 bit is basically because you have a lot of highschool kids that turn 18 when they haven't graduated yet, and in this country that typically translates directly into a lack of respect for alcohol consumption and how it can harm you. It is in fact a poison that you're consuming. But, people generally felt that it was too easy for someone to turn 18 and start providing their under-age cohorts with alcohol.

When I turned 18 my mother pulled me aside and said, "I was able to drink when I was your age, and I trust you to not drink and dive if you do make the choice to drink. But if I catch you smoking I will kick your ****ing ass."

[LadieNisha4u2nv]

The thing is though Lite that I dont care to drink. I drink a smirnoff when I come home or am home stressed out and it just mellows me out and keeps me cool.

Legal age here in the Virgin Islands is 18 as well, at least to get into the porn stores and buy alcohol and dance. The 25 year old bit for renting cars goes here as well. I just think it ****ing sucks.

I understand that there are kids in high school that are 18, but not 19 or 20. If they are that old in frikken high school, then there's a problem with their ability to learn, or they just couldnt care less. They could at least put it to 19, I mean damn I want to go on a god damn cruise but I dont want to be accompanied by anyone else other than a significant other. I'm not a child anymore...shit, I HAVE one. So even if I were underage I still have a woman responsibility. So I think it is highly unfair, and I am mad that I cant go on a god damn cruise til after May 2011 by my god damn self.

[Lite]

TI understand that there are kids in high school that are 18, but not 19 or 20. If they are that old in frikken high school, then there's a problem with their ability to learn, or they just couldnt care less. They could at least put it to 19, I mean damn I want to go on a god damn cruise but I dont want to be accompanied by anyone else other than a significant other. I'm not a child anymore...shit, I HAVE one. So even if I were underage I still have a woman responsibility. So I think it is highly unfair, and I am mad that I cant go on a god damn cruise til after May 2011 by my god damn self.

Puritanical roots of our country combined with the fact that some 19 year-olds are still in HS. The idea was to place enough distance in age to not be as much of problem.

Yes, I agree it sucks. You might check the laws surrounding cruises that leave from Puerto Rico instead...

[lesa]

Maybe "they" want a few years of adult experience.

I have seen so many 18 year old college students go "wild and crazy" with freedom as if they were raised by wild animals. They got into all sorts of issues.

They will let you handle weapons because you have a "big brother or big sister watching you" a little.

But with alcohol, clubs, car rentals and hotels, or cruises they need years of experience before letting you play with adult toys.

I don't get it either but that's how it is.

[RSK]

i actually agree with the law of being 25 to go on a cruise. i also think Gandhi is overrated, and that earth is the center of the universe.

[RSK]

okay, here is my real response. i have a feeling some of you may not like to hear this. but personally, because of the way the american school system is compared to european countries, we hs students in the states are probably not as mature as they are in the rest of the world. that is just my opinion after living here for awhile. pls don't attack me now!

[vashti]

I agree with you, RSK. Our high school kids *aren't* as mature as they are in many other parts of the world.