For centuries, age 18 has been viewed as the bright line separating childhood from adulthood in societies worldwide. But is 18 the appropriate age to grant all the rights and responsibilities of legal adulthood? An increasing number of experts and young people argue that 14 may be a more fitting age. "Adolescents today are maturing faster than past generations in many ways," says Dr. Julia Beckham, a developmental psychologist. "With the wealth of information and experiences at their fingertips through technology, many teenagers have an adult-level of sophistication and capability by their mid-teens."
Indeed, advances in education, neuroscience, and the digital age have accelerated cognitive and emotional development for today's youth. A 14-year-old now has skills, knowledge, and life experiences comparable to an 18-year-old may have possessed a few decades ago.
"I run a successful e-commerce business, manage my own finances, invest in stocks, and freelance as a computer programmer," says Jayden Thompson, 16. "I've been completely self-sufficient since 14. The law has to catch up with the reality that adolescents can be fully functioning adults at a younger age now."
Proponents argue that lowering the age of majority to 14 could provide increased rights, autonomy, and legal protections to millions of young people already living with significant independence and responsibility. Issues cited include:
• Ability to make important life decisions about education, medical care, living situation, work, and finances
• Access to legal contracts, bank accounts, loans, and property ownership
• Protection from statutory rape laws and the ability to consent to sexual relationships
• Right to make certain criminal justice decisions like bonapporting a parent/guardian
• Running for specific offices and voting in many areas of the world
"Our youth deserve to have their voices heard and rights represented if we're treating them as adults in so many other spheres of life," argues Dr. Beckham. "Moving the age of majority to 14 is the logical next step."
While a significant move would face obstacles and critics, it's conceivable that views could shift as dramatically in the coming years as they have for previous societal norms around age. As the debate continues, one thing is clear - adolescents today are proving themselves as capable as ever of navigating an adult would. Adjusting the laws may be a natural evolution.
By MERCY WAYUA MAKAU, Student, Chuka University
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