In the United States, you cannot be tried as an adult under the age of 18, unless, of course, you commit an especially egregious crime, in which case they will put aside their qualms about how they treat children and try (and punish) you as an adult. In the U.S., you can generally drive at 16, see an R-rated movie at 17, go off to war at 18, and drink alcoholic beverages at 21. Our society contains a myriad of benchmarks in the transition to adulthood. These include traditions from a hodgepodge of cultures. You might be participate in Manjal Neerattu Vizha after your first menstruation, or in Dvija at about age 12, receive a Believer’s Baptism at age 12 or 13, be expected to observe Sharia at puberty, be confirmed or bar/batmitzvahed at 13, come of age in the Baha’i faith at 15, then enjoy your sweet 16 birthday. I don’t know what happens to you at 14; apparently, that’s your year off.
One thing that all of these practices and laws have in common is that they have no basis in a scientific understanding of the human brain. We now know that the last part of the brain to develop, the prefrontal cortex, does not reach maturity until age 25. The prefrontal cortex is involved in higher-order thinking, such as ethical and moral decision-making. If this part of the brain is not fully there until age 25, how can we hold an 18-year-old completely accountable for her or his actions?
Accountability should gradually increase as children gain the skills associated with the executive functions of their developing brains. Many of the rites of passage that we have inherited are based on sexual maturation. Children can begin to look like adults, and even act superficially like adults before they have completely formed adult brains. I propose that all laws regarding the age of majority be adjusted to reflect our current understanding of the human brain. Especially important are activities involving decisions that directly affect life and death, such as driving a car and participation in war.
“When I was a child, I reasoned as a child… when I reached the age of 25, I became an adult, and put childish ways behind me.”
October 31, 2009 at 3:02 pm |
i do agree this is a worthwhile consideration. it made me think of recent research i have read about the psychology of bystanders, influence of peers, and groupthink. it is clear that even after the maturation of the prefrontal cortex, peers and groups have a huge influence on our choices and actions (one form of this behavior is diffusion of responsibility). considering the fact that 16-25 yr olds spend the majority of time in groups of peers of the same age, who are all operating with brains that are not fully mature, and you get a double whammy. i have tremendous respect for young people, and see them making compassionate and wise decisions often. moving the age of consent to 25 is not to say they are not capable, it is to say their brains are still maturing. if we need to have laws that involve the separation “adult” rights and responsibilities from “juvenile” rights and responsibilities, basing this on science makes sense.
October 31, 2009 at 3:16 pm |
It’s easy to forget that children don’t think the way adults do. Parents and teachers can get frustrated when they see a child engaging in some undesirable behavior after they’ve told them not to & explained why. But I don’t see how we can punish people as adults if the part of the brain that’s responsible for decisions of right and wrong isn’t fully developed yet.
October 31, 2009 at 3:19 pm |
and you bring up the psychology of bystanders – I’ve been thinking about that since you posted the article on Facebook about the rape that so many people witnessed and apparently a lot of people engaged in. It reminds me of how homeless people can be seen as opportunities to beat someone up – another reason you wouldn’t want to send someone off to war who doesn’t have yet a fully developed sense of morality. Of course, if they had a fully developed sense of morality I would think they would refuse to fight.
November 10, 2009 at 11:34 pm |
Age of majority in QC is 18. I believe people are more responsible there than in USA.
Wouldn’t mind 2 of what you’re on…!