i asked the question about being a legal adult at 18 and not being able to buy tobacco till you are 19 because they just changed the law.. someone said How can the state say that you can't drive down the wrong side of the street, no matter what your age?(obviously some laws are common sense)and another said  Your only considered an adult at 18 BECAUSE the LAW STATES that in your state. (Some states it's 19) The point is you're leaving out a whole bunch of the logic. Why can the government tell an adult that they can't murder someone?(when was murder legal in the usa?) If they're an adult using your logic then they can do whatever they want.that makes no sense.murder is taking another life, changing a law that has been around for a long time, saying yes you are a legal adult at 18, you are done school, you can buy your own house, have a credit card in your own name, but now you cant buy a pack of ciggs.. where is legal age 19 in the usa?
119762
In the state of Kansas, males are not of legal age (technically) until the age of 21.  Females it is 18 years of age.  Go figure.
380932
It's state specific.  I know there are some states that are contemplating 18-y-o age for driving, but don't know if any have implemented it.
603310
The Legal age of 21 is good.\n \nALL PEOPLE need to take responsibility for their own actions.  If you are 21+, you can go out, drink legally, have fun and safely drive home.  Military personnel can drink at 18, on the base.\nI'm sure some 14yr olds could drive safely after a few drinks, but that doesn't mean we should lower the drinking age and driving age.  I've actually witnessed some 34yr olds, who can't drive after a few drinks.  Should it raised to 35 or worse, illegal to drink after the age of 33?  There will always be people under the age of 21, that find a way to get alcohol, but it's not OK.  If you get caught, you get in trouble.  If you're driving over the legal limit, you will get in big trouble and could serious hurt or kill people.  Don't ruin someone elses good time.\n\nIt's OK to drink, just know your limit and be responsible.  Call a friend/cab, take the bus or sleep in your car until you sober up.
318151
Well i no the state im in you have to be 16 years of age you need to prove to the court you have a job and a place to live otherwise your to young.. they need to see you can take care and support yourself without adults...which means you need to become a little adult.... call your local court house and they will tell you the law there but i bet its alot like the one where i live... good luck
105656
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/LegalDrinkingAge.html has a lengthy discussion on the legal drinking age in the U.S. In particular:\n\nThe National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required all states to raise their minimum purchase and public possession of alcohol age to 21. States that did not comply faced a reduction in highway funds under the Federal Highway Aid Act.... It does not prohibit persons under 21 (also called youth or minors) from drinking. The term "public possession" is strictly defined and does not apply to possession for the following:\n\n    * An established religious purpose, when accompanied by a parent, spouse or legal guardian age 21 or older\n    * Medical purposes when prescribed or administered by a licensed physician, pharmacist, dentist, nurse, hospital or medical institution\n    * In private clubs or establishments\n    * In the course of lawful employment by a duly licensed manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer.” \n\nMany of the states that have chosen to specifically prohibit alcohol consumption by those under age 21 have a variety of exceptions. For example,\n\n    Some States allow an exception for consumption when a family member consents and/or is present. States vary widely in terms of which relatives may consent or must be present for this exception to apply and in what circumstances the exception applies. Sometimes a reference is made simply to "family" or "family member" without further elaboration.\n\n    ....\n\n    Some States allow an exception for consumption on private property. States vary in the extent of the private property exception which may extend to all private locations, private residences only, or in the home of a parent or guardian only. In some jurisdictions, the location exception is conditional on the presence and/or consent of the parent, legal guardian, or legal-age spouse.\n\n    Some States also allow exceptions for educational purposes (e.g., students in culinary schools), religious purposes (e.g., sacramental use of alcoholic beverages), or medical purposes.\n\nAccording to their map, consumption of alcohol is prohibited with exceptions in Oregon.
218647
In most states you are considered an adult when you turn 18. However looking back on my life I was anything but an adult at 18. To me, one should not be considered an adult until one is deemed to be responsible. By that I mean one is willing and able to take care of ones business. To meet ones obligation to the community, family, and ones self. If a person drives like a maniac and endangers their own life as well as the lives of other, is that responsible? If a person continues to get into debt and cannot pay it is that responsible? If a person neglects or abuses their mate, is that responsible? If a person acts like a bully and their only answer to conflict is violence is that responsible? There is a lot to being an adult, much more than being a certain age. Adulthood is a state of mind not a chronological event. Just my two cent, or two points as it were.
327200
Just like I'm 20, and I believe I should be able to drink alcohol. The people that make the laws feel that people aren't mature enough to make smart decisions. For the most part, younger people shouldn't vote because a lot of them aren't even aware of what's going on, or understand the importance of things. It may not be fair to you, but you're time will come. I'm not sure how old you are, but it usually goes by fast!
2361
There is no sense involved with this issue at all. I'm 19 and a member of the Army National Guard so I know where you're coming from. I would like to own and cary a handgun. Uncle sam says I cant because i'm not mature enough yet. But its OK for me to cary one to my death in war. There plain and simply is no sense at all regarding this issue. Its just the bureaucrats jacking everything up like always. writing nonsense laws for there own agendas or somone's agenda who has something that bureaucrats want and its usually money. To them it makes "CENTS,"\nrather than sense. Sense to them is money, not whats realy good for the american people. I'm sory but there is no answer for your question but that its nonsense. It is sad but true.
456199
maybe use an example...i know that in Germany, the drinking age is 16 with a parent, but no one enforces it...as a result, you rarely see Germans passed out in the streets and drunk out of their minds...drinking and driving is not a big issue either...the reason is that there is virtually no drinking age, thus there no extreme desire to be rebellious...it's that whole pandora syndrome...if you tell someone they can't drink, of course they're going to want to...just open it saying that drinking age is not a big deal and people don't overdo alcohol as a result
253680
It's the same with any crime, should a counterfitter be allowed to keep making money simply because he did it for so long and got away with it that it should be considered legal for him?  Just because they have been here for 2, 5, or 10 years, bought a house, had kids (along with the ones they brought in) have a job, does this make them legal now?\nIf that's the case, I'm going to start printing up some bills right now, if I get away with it long enough, i'll be a millionaire by the time I'm 40!
412762
I dont know the laws in Onterio so I cant help you out with knowing the legal age to be adult.  \n\nBut I have to say that if you are unhappy and feel unsafe at home then you need to leave.  But you need to do it legal or you will get in trouble and that will not help you at all.\n\nIf you mother really does have a tumor that is probably why she is acting the way she is.  Have you thought about that.?
602181
I would guess you need to be 18, unless you have some crazy laws, but this in Illinois, they have alot of crazy (and unconstitutional) gun laws, more so in the Chicago area.  just ask the people at the store, they should know. if your under 18, take your parents with, they can get it for you if they are ok with it.  Also don't do anything dumb like shoot people with it or point it at a cop, I don't want you to end up in jail or dead.
369771
The day you turn 18, you can move out. Before that age, you would be considered a runaway. After that age, you are an adult and can make decisions for your own life. Your parents can no longer tell you what to do, but they also don't have to help you out with anything.\n\nWhen you hit 18, your parents responsibility for you ends. You can pack your bags and hit the road, never looking back, if that's what you want. On the reverse side, when you turn 18, your parents can pack your bags, put you out the door, change the locks, and never look back.\n\nWhat I would suggest is trying to talk to your parents and explain the need to establish yourself as an independent person. Be reasonable, be calm, and be respectful. In the end, it is your decision, but you don't want to do irreparable damage to your relationship with your parents.
68612
They couldn't possibly be just trying to prove a point, could they?  His parents are the ones responsible for bringing him into the world, so how can they justify making him responsible for preparing him to be self-sufficient?  There is no way they can collect on that bill; parents are legally responsible for their children's welfare until the age of 18.  They can legally kick him out of their house now that he's 18.  If I was your friend, I would move out as soon as possible, and try to make his parents understand their responsibilities.
29055
Its a united states law that you have to be 21... doesnt matter what city your in, if your drinking in this country, you must be 21. (with the exceptions in some states that say that if you are married to someone over 21, they can legally purchase alcohol for you or if your with a parent and youre over 18 they can legally purchase it also)
183180
18 is considered the age of legal consent.  Of couirse then you gotta pay bills, get a job, find a place to live, get food, figure out transportation, insurance, taxes, utilities and of course buying the stuff to put in the place your live like a bed but you are probably thinking cable TV, phone etc.  Those are nice to have too.  These are all things you would like but education is the key to getting all the stuff.  Start buy getting your high school diploma first.  If it is difficult at home there are places that help.
458192
I can't believe only one person came up with:\n\n"How did you sign a contract agreeing to anything when you were under the age of 18?"\n\nIt's not valid.\n\nAnd, I don't think there's any good chance of anybody recognising you.\n\nBut.\n\nThe answers with "call the store manager, and explain" are not too far off the mark. What you want to say is:\n\n"I know I was stupid at the time and it's not a mistake I've made since then."\n\nI shoplifted a bit of junk when I was 13, on a lark; got caught, got "banned" from that mall, and -- well, that was my first go at it -- and now? I'd forgotten all about it until your question.\n\nWhat you signed is not a valid contract. And, from the sounds of it, not enforceable under any common law. Just go back.\n\nTop job on never stealing again...!