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The age of eighteen is an age that in many societies gives rise to various additional rights and responsibilities.

  • Is there a scientific reason for assigning such right and responsibilities at the age of 18?
  • What are some of reasons and history for this convention?
Jeromy Anglim
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Fereydoon Shekofte
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1 Answers1

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A cursory search strongly suggests that the distinction is arbitrary and practical, with little link to developmental science.

I can find no evidence for any particularly compelling biological change centered around the age of 18. That, along with the fact that the age of eighteen is not a universal age-of-majority, makes me say that there is no scientific basis for the choice.

Louis Thibault
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