What age does adolescence end at?

Assuming adolescence begins at age 10 with the onset of puberty, what age do YOU think it lasts until?

Within various perspectives (psychology, biology, history, sociology, education, and anthropology) adolescence is viewed as a transitional period between childhood and adulthood, whose cultural purpose is the preparation of children for adult roles (Larson, R., & Wilson, S.; 2004)

16 years old 6
17 years old 3
18 years old 16
19 years old 6
20 years old 15
21 years old 6
22 years old 2
23 years old 1
24 years old 4
25 years old 11
26-30 years old 10
31-35 years old 7
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Comments ( 19 )
  • peaceandlovebro

    I majored in psychology and if you want to go with psychological over physical, that ends at 25 for females and 30 for males as they don't fully mature until those ages.

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  • TrollsAreStupid

    As peaceandlovebro said, the brain is fully developed at the age of 25 for females and 30 for males, but for physical changes the start and end of puberty varies. I'd say puberty can start between the ages of 8-14 and end between the ages of 15-20. So I don't think there's a specific age when adolescence ends; you don't turn 18 and suddenly you're an adult, it's gradual and you can't pinpoint the day or even year it happens.

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  • poopsmith

    either 18, or if you want to get technical 25- when the brain stops developing and you are (supposedly) a fully matured adult

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    • idontgiveafack

      yes!

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  • dom180

    It seems to me like a very arbitrary distinction between childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Even if everyone "came of age" at the same time in their lives, I think of it more as crossing an imaginary line than a wholesale change in the nature of their being.

    Do you have to be fully matured to exit adolescence? I don't think so. If adolescence is a cultural idea - and I think it's better viewed as a cultural idea than a biological one - then it ends at the time we become accepted as adults in society, which in my society is 18.

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  • teltrum

    Perhaps it is different for different people. I know it's crazy but I heard one person got married at 23 years old and the entire human race didn't get married at exactly the same age.

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  • The onset of adulthood doesn't naturally start at the age of ten; that's the result of chemical changes in the atmosphere of the modern world. It is a problem, one that needs to be addressed and corrected.

    Personally I believe that we don't give young people nearly as much credit as is warranted, and that people should be expected to get part-time jobs at perhaps twelve or so, and become fully independent at maybe fifteen.

    It could be said that it's a complicated matter, but I absolutely do reject the notion that anyone under the age of eighteen is a blameless little baby, whereupon reaching that iconic age they suddenly and perhaps magically become capable of being productive and responsible.

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  • NurseDiesel

    I'm over 30 and still transitioning. I don't think I'll ever consider myself a fully matured adult. Fuck dat shit!!!

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    • You have been bitten by birds and now you are a dirty little birdy.

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      • NurseDiesel

        You know it!

        Oh, and its nice to see you, kid :)

        *squirts a little*

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        • Ewww gross!

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    • shuggy-chan

      idk....*strokes chin* look pretty mature to me >8)

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      • NurseDiesel

        Brat!!! You need some discipline.

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        • shuggy-chan

          that kinky old lady wants to spank me now xD

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          • NurseDiesel

            Go cut me a switch and prepare for a whippin.

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            • shuggy-chan

              what is this, the Jackson household. are you gonna kill my pet mouse next lol

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  • idontgiveafack

    around your mid 20's. Some men longer. That is why most men feel more comfortable marrying in their 30's

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  • CrazyHorse6ty9r

    NurseDiesel ... I want to experience your dirtiness , and match it up with mine to see if we can hit a whole new level of bad ! Dam I ready to give it a shot !

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  • gorillaphant

    We need more rite of passage ceremonies.

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