UFT Manhã 2022

Read the following text in order to answer QUESTION

FINALLY LEGAL: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN ADULT AROUND THE WORLD

    In Australia, turning 18 is often a big deal. Not only emotionally for their parents and family, but also legally. All of a sudden, overnight, you are legally allowed to do almost as you please.

    But is it all good news? And what does it all really mean? We spoke to Dr. Bosco Rowland of Deakin’s School of Psychology to get his opinion on the topic.

    As an 18-year-old in Australia, you are assumed to be somewhat independent, responsible and self-sufficient. On the day you legally become an adult, you’re allowed to purchase alcohol and cigarettes, gamble away your savings at the casino, apply for credit to buy a house and also marry your high school sweetheart.

    Dr Rowland believes turning 18 means big changes. It marks the time when we are also legally allowed to participate in a number of political and social activities. ‘Adolescence is associated with numerous physical, biological, and mental challenges and these affect adolescents in different ways,’ he says.

    Some countries, such as the USA, disperse the allowances over a few years. Although they can drive at 16, and vote and establish credit at 18, Americans cannot legally drink until they are 21.

    In other countries, teens must go through coming of age rituals and certain rites of passage to demonstrate they are mature and ready enough to be granted the title of adult.[…]

    Although in Australia turning 18 symbolises the end of childhood, other cultures celebrate impending adulthood in other ways.

    In the Brazilian Amazon, young boys need to wear a glove filled with angry bullet ants for 10 minutes several times over many months to prove they can withstand the pain, thus demonstrating they are ready for manhood.

    In some parts of South America, young girls celebrate their ‘Quinceanera’ when they turn 15 with a mass renewing their baptism vows before having a party with family and friends.

    The Japanese believe 20 is the age where a youth becomes a mature, contributing member of society. They attend a traditional coming of age festival known as Seijin-no-Hi where they dress up in their finest attire, attend a ceremony and are treated to gifts and parties. Only then are they allowed to do the things we in Australia are allowed to do at 18.

    Dr Rowland believes that while rites of passage or coming of age rituals sound impressive in theory, the best way to help a child transition into adulthood is to form and strengthen constructive bonds with positive role models. […]

    Regardless of what the legal age is in your country, or if your culture celebrates a traditional rite of passage into adulthood, one thing seems to remain consistent across all countries: becoming an adult should represent independence, responsibility and freedom from restrictions previously enforced by your elders. Though there doesn’t seem to be one tried and tested way to establish and ensure this is the case.

Available at: https://this.deakin.edu.au/self-improvement/finally-legal-what-itmeans-to-be-an-adult-around-the-world (Adapted)