http://www.bbc.com/news/health-42732442
EXCERPT: Young people continuing their education for longer, as well as delayed marriage and parenthood, has pushed back popular perceptions of when adulthood begins. Changing the definition is vital to ensure laws stay appropriate [...but...] another expert warns doing so risks "further infantilising young people".
Puberty [...] used to happen around the age of 14 but has dropped with improved health and nutrition in much of the developed world to around the age of 10. [...] Half of all females now have their period by 12 or 13 years of age.
[...] "Age definitions are always arbitrary" . . . but "our current definition of adolescence is overly restricted". "The ages of 10-24 years are a better fit with the development of adolescents nowadays." [...] "In the UK, the average age for leaving home is now around 25 years for both men and women."
MORE: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-42732442
EXCERPT: Young people continuing their education for longer, as well as delayed marriage and parenthood, has pushed back popular perceptions of when adulthood begins. Changing the definition is vital to ensure laws stay appropriate [...but...] another expert warns doing so risks "further infantilising young people".
Puberty [...] used to happen around the age of 14 but has dropped with improved health and nutrition in much of the developed world to around the age of 10. [...] Half of all females now have their period by 12 or 13 years of age.
[...] "Age definitions are always arbitrary" . . . but "our current definition of adolescence is overly restricted". "The ages of 10-24 years are a better fit with the development of adolescents nowadays." [...] "In the UK, the average age for leaving home is now around 25 years for both men and women."
MORE: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-42732442