Reply #143: One of my ancestors immigrated to America at the age of 12 ...

[eppur_se_muova]

traveling alone, and with no friends or relatives waiting to greet him. He was considered old enough to strike out on his own then (1700's), and find a means of earning a living. The age at which we consider out children "adults" has been creeping farther and farther back over centuries, not just decades. Of course, we've managed to do away with child labor and exploitation, but in the process, we've left children with no "adult" activities to participate in and no way to contribute to society, even when they're both capable and eager to do so, except to be students for as long as they (and we) can stand it.

Of course, I know many people who have prolonged their adolescence into their 40's and 50's, so I realize not everyone is going to resent that.