18 is the age of majority, or maturity, in most countries around the world. Depending where you live, it might be when you can vote, buy alcohol, or get married. But what's so special about 18 that makes it the beginning of adulthood? CrowdScience listener Lynda didn't feel very mature back then. She recalls a difficult decision that made her wonder what science has to say about when we’re truly grown up. How developed are we, physically, mentally and emotionally, by the age of 18? And how much does this differ between people, or from culture to culture? Presenter Caroline Steel digs around for answers with the aid of neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, biological anthropologist Barry Bogin, and cultural anthropologist Bonnie Hewlett. And even some teenagers. Contributors: Barry Bogin, Emeritus Professor of Biological Anthropology, Loughborough University Sarah-Jayne Blakemore - Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge Professor Bonnie Hewlett - Associate Professor, Cultural Anthropology, WSU Vancouver Presenter: Caroline Steel Producer: Richard Walker Editor: Cathy Edwards Production Co-Ordinator: Ishmael Soriano Studio Manager: Neva Missirian
This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk.
So a neutron star is kind of.
About the size of Chicago.
Unexpected elements from the BBC World Service.
Search for unexpected elements wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
What changed when you turned 18?
More responsibilities and, like, you know, just feeling like you're not a, like, a kid anymore.
You know, you have, like, things you have to pay for and, like, things you have to, like, take care of with the government and fear of, like, growing old.
Meet friends Marla, Milu and Clara, who recently reached the ripe old age of 18.
Well, very excited, because I've been waiting to turn 18 for a very long time.
Of course I could finally, like, go out and get drinks and stuff like that.
So it was very fun.
I've been so excited and it's finally there.
So I was excited about being able to show my id, because now I can get in wherever I want.
Normally, you, when you're 17 and you want to get a drink, you have to, like, play dumb and like, oh, no, I forgot my ID.
I forgot my ID.
And now I'm like, yeah, I am actually 18.
Yeah, look at it.
So I feel very proud when I'm buying cigarettes or drinks.
Like, I feel very mature.