Many countries have ceremonies to celebrate their young people becoming adults. However, some countries do not. Instead, young people think of themselves as adults when they can do ‘adults' things. But when do you become an adult in the USA? Let's look at what some American teenagers say.
Sam: I think you are an adult at 18. That's when you can vote(投票). You can help to choose who runs the country. That's what a grown-up does! My grandfather couldn't vote until he was 21. They only changed it to 18 in 1971. I guess they think we are more responsible at 18 now.
Jenny: I think it's hard to say. I get to drive a car at 16, don't I? That's a serious responsibility. So 16 must be the age when you change from a young, person to an adult. Because driving a car shows that you are not a kid.
Suzie: I think there is something crazy about American laws for when young people can do things. So I can vote at 18 and drive at 16. So you would think that 18 is grown-up, even if I 16 isn't. But then I can't drink alcohol (酒) until I'm 21! If I'm already an adult at 18, how can people stop me from buying alcohol in a shop?
