| Revision as of 19:36, 21 December 2003 editTimwi (talk | contribs)Administrators32,135 editsm decap← Previous edit | Revision as of 10:22, 20 February 2004 edit undoPatrick (talk | contribs)Edit filter managers, Administrators68,523 edits Often the age 1s 18. Exceptions (please add)Next edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| The term '''adult''' describes any mature ], but normally it refers to a ]: one that is no longer a ] and is now either a ] or a ]. |
The term '''adult''' describes any mature ], but normally it refers to a ]: one that is no longer a ] and is now either a ] or a ]. ] is the event of becoming an adult, i.e. of entering '''adulthood'''. | ||
| Legally it means that one can engage in a ]. The same or a different minimum age may be applicable for e.g. ], ], having a ], being a ], ], drinking ]s (perhaps different ages for different categories), ], sex, being a ], being a client of a prostitute, being a model or actor in ], etc. | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | The legal definition of entering adulthood varies between ages 17-21, depending on the region in question. Some cultures in ] define adult at age 13, but most other civilizations consider this the ] stage. | ||
| Often the age is 18. Exceptions: | |||
| 20: ]. | |||
| "Adult" also means "not considered suitable for ]ren", in particular as ] for being related to ], e.g. ], ], adult ], adult ]. | "Adult" also means "not considered suitable for ]ren", in particular as ] for being related to ], e.g. ], ], adult ], adult ]. | ||
Revision as of 10:22, 20 February 2004
The term adult describes any mature organism, but normally it refers to a human: one that is no longer a child and is now either a man or a woman. Coming of age is the event of becoming an adult, i.e. of entering adulthood.
Legally it means that one can engage in a contract. The same or a different minimum age may be applicable for e.g. marriage, voting, having a job, being a soldier, driving, drinking alcoholic beverages (perhaps different ages for different categories), smoking, sex, being a prostitute, being a client of a prostitute, being a model or actor in pornography, etc.
The legal definition of entering adulthood varies between ages 17-21, depending on the region in question. Some cultures in Africa define adult at age 13, but most other civilizations consider this the teenager stage.
Often the age is 18. Exceptions:
20: Japan.
"Adult" also means "not considered suitable for children", in particular as euphemism for being related to sexual behaviour, e.g. adult entertainment, adult video, adult magazine, adult bookstore.