by Brian Ma

As folks say, “back in the good ol’, simple days…,” men and women married, took on social roles, matured and began the chapter of adolescence at an early age. According to an article published by the journal The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, humans have biologically and socially developed at an earlier and quicker pace. For example, earlier puberty has accelerated throughout one’s onset of adolescence, and its endpoint is well into ONE’S 20s.

I remember my father, George, told me about his first job at 13. He worked day and night at his father’s gift shop, selling wondrous oriental souvenirs. He studied in school and matured into a grown man at 19. Because back in those days, people would eat, sleep, work, study and play in conjunction with the ecological clock, the day was often shorter and more fast-paced. There was a lack of technological outlets and media influence to affect the health and wellbeing of others. In fact, my father, because he had no distractions from social media or television, chose his career when he was just 18 years old. The lack of resources and opportunities led him to choose a quicker, more realistic career option; he started “adulting” because he had to, not because he wanted to.

On the other hand, I am a first generation undergraduate student, and I made my college choice at the age of 17! My brother, at 21, landed his first job in the music industry. Another aspect to consider is that the age of marriage is explicitly delayed at present time. While not everyone marries at the same exact age, the average age one marries now is 25. I do not feel I am an adolescent because I still rely on my parents, and I still have the urges to be immature, naive and dependent. The stark contrast between my generation and that of my parents is transparent.

I certainly agree that the social construction of the age of adolescence has dramatically altered from generation to the current wave. Rather than 10-19 years old, the new interpretation of the adolescence age refers to 10-24 years.

In terms of joining the army, the minimum age requirement is set at 17 years with parental consent and at 18 without parental consent. During World War II, children as young as 13 or 14 years old were enlisted. I adamantly assert that the age requirement should be raised higher. Not only are teens more susceptible to being less mature, but they are also more easily coaxed and spoiled today. Because media and social influences have developed to become societal norms, many teens are believing one path or image is the right answer. For example, many men and women aspire to have supermodel bodies or great amount of wealth, as portrayed in film and in social media, in order to reach that “image” of success and worth; however, that is not the case since there are various shades of beauty and degrees of success. Teens cannot think for themselves as they had in the past. Media influences and technological advancements have made life less complicated, but have also promoted reliance, narrow views and socially constructed requirements. In order to produce more intelligent and reliable citizens, the minimum age requirement to enter the military should be raised; we need men and women of the army to be mature, both mentally and physically. Because teens are often oblivious to openness and lacking in mental growth, they can potentially harm themselves if they enter for military training as early as 17-years-old.

As for drinking age, the legal baptism of liquor consumption in the U.S. is 21 years old. Many people have drank liquor and spirits before that imposed age, either under parental supervision or not. Even though people both above and under the age of 21 have died of unhealthy alcohol consumption, I do not think the US legal drinking age should be changed. Instead, reforms and education gearing towards safe drinking and responsibility should be fostered.

In regards to driving, everyone has to drive at some point in their lives. Driving makes life much more convenient. The minimum driving age in New York state is 16. Because driving takes time, dexterity, mental quickness, strong perception abilities and responsibility, it is an arduous life skill to acquire. Many of my peers started driving at 18; many are responsible, intelligent and decisive individuals. Nonetheless, because the rates of recklessness and motor accidents among teens have risen steadily, the age for acquiring a driving license and should be higher.

College is a commonly spoken word about among family, friends and acquaintances. Graduating with a degree in a specific field has been an increasingly common goal and achievement in present American society. One must decide on one’s ultimate college choice at 17. Is not daunting that you have that empowerment to choose where you want to study and create new experiences for the next two, three, four years, or even more?

I did, and I do not regret that I had the authority to do so. I always believe that through different chapters in life, one must take a leap of faith. One might say that I am a hypocrite because I support raising the age eligibility for driving; however, it is a critical learning experience for a student to make a life-changing decision. When one grows up, one has to always make decisions.

While one can rely on public transportation rather than driving, going to college is a positive outlet for one to grow for the better. I certainly learned to socialize and educate myself in my field of study. It is true that the adolescent age has risen. I agree that, as a 19 year old, I do not exhibit “adult-like” qualities. Just wait a few more years.

Brian Ma, FCRH ’20, is a digital tech and emerging media major from Fort Lee, New Jersey.