Should the legal age for...?
827457
Now, Actually is should be Upped to 24
1169990
It depends on what state you are in. I live in Wisconsin and there is no set age. As long as it is a reasonable amount of time and as long as the child knows what to do in case of an emergency and has a list of important phone numbers.
1118942
It really does depend on the crime and the particular youth involved.   Infancy, the legal term referring to minors under the age of 18 in most states, is considered a legal disability.   A blanket rule calling for adult treatment of all 17 year old criminals would be dangerous.  It's important to consider whether the minor offender was mature enough to have formed the intent required to commit a crime, whether he or she understood the nature and consequences of his or her act, and the nature and circumstances of the crime (was it heinous, premeditated, etc).  With nothing more, it would be impossible to say that 17 year olds in general should be held accountable as adults.
378700
I dont' feel there really is an official age.  You could 18 because its when the US government has classified someone is no long a minor, but if you go to somewhere else in the world the age would be different.  \n\nIf you want a 'official' per the government answer, I'd say 18 as thats when someone is no longer a minor.  But think about it, you can vote, join the army and die for the country but the government wont let you go buy a beer after a hard day.  Seem logical?  Not to me.  \n\nThe US is also in the minority when it comes to a stiff and high drinking age.  Kids start drinking wine at dinner at young ages in other countries and are even allowed in bars, sometimes before they are even 14 or 16.  Those countries also don't have the problems with 'under age' drinking, drunk drivers, and binge drinking by minors that we do.  Just goes to show what a little trust and freedom can do when you don't put an 'official' age on when a person is an adult.
70584
Depends on the person.I would think 15 or 16 is old enough. Hopefully by that age, one would make responsible choices.
773572
Yes they should. Everyone says that they're just kids, and legally they are but kids now days act a lot older than they really are. and teenagers, though going through major growth and dealing with hormones, can think for themselves and should know right from wrong.
39808
Actually, it depends on what state you are in. Yeah, 18 is legal anywhere, but in some places it would be okay for someone who is 26 to be with someone who is 16.
44981
The law doesn't say it, the people who pass laws say it.  You being one of those people, you can always work to change it.\n\nWould you agree that there needs to be some legal age for those things?  I mean, do you feel like it should be legal for a 12 year old to buy and drink whiskey?  A nine year old to buy and smoke tobacco?  I assume you're okay with the idea that there needs to be some regulation on the ages for those things.\n\nIf your question has to do with the disparity between them, I'd agree with the other poster.  I can smoke a pack of cigarettes in ten minutes and get in my car and drive as safely as ever.  I can't drink a six-pack in ten minutes and go off and drive safely, so it makes sense to me that we'd sell alcohol to people who are older than 18.\n\nMaybe we should raise the smoking age? :)
1066050
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.
981068
Responsibility can't be age related. I was married at 19 and my husband was 18. We both work with young people now and some of them behave responsibly and some still need to be nurtured. I know some adults who abuse alcohol and some young people who are sensible with drink. The same applies to voting, driving and sex. There will never be the right age of consent because some people are more or less responsible than others.
415477
Until they are of a certain age yes.  I think the child has to be 13 and then they are old enough to make the choice of wether they want to go or not, but either way, it will have to go through court to be done properly.
176967
No they should not. Ya it is fun but not healthy for children. I believe you should be 21 to be able to drink legally. The kids may have problems later in life due to under age drinking.
49822
I think that a serious age to consider is 16.  That is when life really opens up.
304084
There is no particular age. The law says, "The court first shall determine the reasoning ability of the child. If the court determines that the child does not have sufficient reasoning ability to express the child's wishes and concern with respect to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the child, it shall not determine the child's wishes and concerns with respect to the allocation. If the court determines that the child has sufficient reasoning ability to express the child's wishes or concerns with respect to the allocation, it then shall determine whether, because of special circumstances, it would not be in the best interest of the child to determine the child's wishes and concerns with respect to the allocation. If the court determines that, because of special circumstances, it would not be in the best interest of the child to determine the child's wishes and concerns with respect to the allocation, it shall not determine the child's wishes and concerns with respect to the allocation and shall enter its written findings of fact and opinion in the journal. If the court determines that it would be in the best interests of the child to determine the child's wishes and concerns with respect to the allocation, it shall proceed to make that determination." \n\nIn short, if they believe the child is able to reason well enough to form a knowledgeable opinion, they will consider it if it is in the child's best interest.
736179
I don't know that there should be an age applied to it.  I'm sure there are perfectly evil 5 year olds out there.  \n\nIf I had to pick an age at which it's POSSIBLE you would be tried as an adult, I'd pick 8.\n\nThat wouldn't mean every 8 year old who screws up is f'd for life - but if after careful evaluation it's determined that this is one bad-ass 8-year old, then off to adult court he or she goes.
669378
I think any child that commits an 'adult' crime should be tried as an adult. He is certainly old enough to know the difference between right and wrong.......... blimey, my kids are 9 and 8 and they have known the difference for years!!\nIf we were harder on the younger ones, as they get older hopefully they will grow into better people. After the age of 16 I think it is too late to change them.\n\nChildren know these days what the age limits are and I have seen that younger ones are pushing it to the limits because they know they won't get punished for it. Don't always blame the parents, it isn't always their fault. They didn't tell their children to commit crime (unless they are twisted) so any child that does so should face the consequences of their actions!!
1097847
NY state statutes set no age under 18 when a child is legally considered old enough to stay home alone. Thus parents are left with many case-by-case judgments, and prosecutors with vast discretion if something goes wrong.  With that said, prepare your kids, trust your kids and decide based upon your judgement of their abilities and be prepared to defend your decision if "god forbid" an unfortunate situation  requires you to.