| Revision as of 18:03, 5 April 2004 editSabbut (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users2,430 editsm es:← Previous edit | Revision as of 22:56, 24 April 2004 edit undoTimwi (talk | contribs)Administrators32,135 editsm + de:ErwachsenseinNext 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 ]. ] is the event of becoming an adult, i.e. of entering '''adulthood'''. | 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'''. | ||
| Line 18: | Line 17: | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 22:56, 24 April 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. parents losing parenting rights and duties regarding the person concerned, parents losing financial responsibility, marriage, voting, having a job, being a soldier, driving, travelling abroad, drinking alcoholic beverages (perhaps different ages for different categories), smoking, sex, being a prostitute (if legal at all), 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.