Thread: Is adulthood an age or a mindset?

I was talking to someone about this the other day and he made a good point.

To many, adulthood is a number be it 18 or 21 (in the US). Some think it comes with puberty or work.

The guy I spoke with said adulthood can't be defined by a number as individuals react differently to education, work, raising a family, and so on. Just because you have a job, a kid, are in college, or live on your own doesn't make you an adult. It is a mindset. He said that the key factor in children/teens becoming adults is responsibility and accountability. Not just having them but owning them. You have to be able to take accountability for your choices and actions and own up to the responsibility of them. If you can't, don't, or simply refuse to.. You are not an adult.

What are your thoughts on this?

It's an age. Some adults just happen to be perpetual children.

Legally, it's an age.
For the rest, it's a mindset.
A mindset i don't have btw.

Originally Posted by S1LVERST@R35

Legally, it's an age.
For the rest, it's a mindset.
A mindset i don't have btw.

So, you're saying dirty minded teenager in the mind?

Physically and Legally it's Age but mentally, emotionally and psychologically it's Mindset. Then there are those who just wants to stay young forever.

Originally Posted by TheGhostOfSabotage

So, you're saying dirty minded teenager in the mind?

Dirty minded, no. I'm as pure as driven snow.
But yeah, i still feel like a teenager.
Sometimes i relieves me, sometimes worries me.

I completely agree that it's "mindset." I know people in their 40's and act like kids, doesn't have stable work or doesn't work at all, and utterly relies on family members to survive. I'd love to ask them a rhetorical question someday "when will you grow up?"

It's both. It's a mindset that comes with age.

Originally Posted by NoviceNinja

I completely agree that it's "mindset." I know people in their 40's and act like kids, doesn't have stable work or doesn't work at all, and utterly relies on family members to survive. I'd love to ask them a rhetorical question someday "when will you grow up?"

I have an older brother who is I think 42. He has 3 kids with 3 different women and had little to nothing to do with raising them. He hasn't held down a normal job since I could remember. He doesn't like having responsibility it seems and I don't see him changing anytime soon. It is unfortunate.