If one's brain is not fully developed until age 25, why is 21 considered an adult?

The parts of the adolescent brain which develop first are those which control physical coordination, emotion and motivation. However, the part of the brain which controls reasoning and impulses - known as the Prefrontal Cortex - is near the front of the brain and, therefore, develops last. This part of the brain does not fully mature until the age of 25. http://teenbrain.drugfree.org/science/behavior.html

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Asked by 35yoamom at 4:19 PM on Jan. 30, 2012 in Adult Children (18+)

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25 is the high end, like super long term thought processing. like retirement, death, life in general

21 is the drinking age after most states realized how dangerous/deadly immature 18 was

Answer by hibbingmom at 4:22 PM on Jan. 30, 2012
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Our laws are based on tradition, not on science we didn't have until recently. I hope that over time our laws will better reflect our scientific knowledge.

Answer by SWasson at 4:23 PM on Jan. 30, 2012
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i have no idea but please dont try to get the age to consider a kid and adult changed, I cant handle my adult kids that act like kids acting even more like kids and blaming it on the brain thing

Answer by luvmygrandbaby at 4:24 PM on Jan. 30, 2012
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Thats an estimation, which means some people do mature before that. Most actually mature by the time they are 20-22 yrs old.

Answer by gemgem at 4:27 PM on Jan. 30, 2012
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If we waited until the brain was fully developed, most men wouldn't be considered adults until they turned 40.

Answer by Candi1024 at 4:32 PM on Jan. 30, 2012
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LOL @ Candi

Comment by 35yoamom (original poster) at 4:54 PM on Jan. 30, 2012
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But I think that I was wondering more about people that are in prison between the ages of 18-21. Shoot I should have placed that in the top thingy up there...

Comment by 35yoamom (original poster) at 5:07 PM on Jan. 30, 2012
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I completely agree. I've witnessed it w/ my almost 21 y/o son. But of course like Candi pointed out, we could be waiting many many more years before we see maturity in that boy/man child! lol :p As to the issue of people being in prison, while not fully mature, they certainly have the capability to know right from wrong.

Answer by mrsmom110 at 7:36 PM on Jan. 30, 2012
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My 21 yo son has just STARTED rolling his eyes at me. WTheck. Is this arrested development? My 24 year old daughter reasons like a 50 year old woman :)

Answer by Sisteract at 12:21 AM on Jan. 31, 2012
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The kids may know right from wrong but the ability to think things completely through is the issue. I remember when I was younger not intentionally getting into things but innocent behaviors ended up negatively. Thank goodness no one died.

I remember drinking excessively while in college one Friday night and my best friend drove me home because I could hardly walk. Great? Wrong! My friend so was soooooooooo buzzed. If I'd been thinking clearly, I would have insisted that she stay the night.

What if she'd killed someone, drinking and driving?

At that age, your brain can not think it all of the way through.

Comment by 35yoamom (original poster) at 7:18 AM on Jan. 31, 2012
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