[CaptainMattJ.]

Originally Posted by Skybird

16 years is too young to let kids go to vote, candidate for offices, let them drive cars without adult's surveillance, let them get full legal access to hard drinks, fully legalised sexual intercourse without any age restrictions, and so on.

The only two things coming to my mind that seem to be exceptions from this ager scheme, are exposure to religious indoctrination - and exposure to military indoctrination.

I wonder if right the vulnerability of the still not fully formed out character and intellect and the small amount of life experience have something to do with this desire to access the young while they are as young - and suggestible - as possible.

The military should not be allowed to approach anybody below the age of consent. And I think age of consent set at 18 is too low for many things in life and regarding many individuals - at 18, many still are not "adult". I'd prefer 20 years in many cases.

Oh wait - to battle the constantly falling applaus for parties, German politicians in some federal states have made elections accessible for even 16 year old now. Well, the same critical questions as for religion and military apply (ignoring for a moment that I am against a general right for voting anyway).

Theres Subjectability in every single part of life. In our schools, in our homes, on the television, children are exposed to frequent ideas all throughout their life. How to behave, what they should do, commercials suggesting what they should buy. Why dont you just throw everyone in a box so they cant be tainted by outside thoughts.

By 18 a person has generally gone through their necessary education. Without the rights of an adult a teen wouldnt progress in life. Without needing to make decisions for themselves, where they want to direct their life, youd be not only be stifling them but theyd grow more and more accustomed to suckling off their parent's financial teet and becoming less accustomed to being on their own.

Personally i think its fine the way it is. Except for the drinking age, which makes absolutely no sense. You're allowed to go get your legs blown off in some hellhole halfway across the world, allowed to wield weapons of war and watch your buddies get killed, to be thrown into battle where its kill or be killed, but GOD FORBID you be allowed to drink (not both at the same time, of course, the military is rightfully merciless when it comes to drinking on the job).