People don't become 'adults' until their 30s, say scientists
19-03-2019, 14:18

Font size: [ A+ ] / [ A- ]

 

Have you ever been told to "grow up" in your 20s or need an excuse as to why you still find cat videos on the internet really funny?

Well now you might have an official reason as to why you're not acting like a mature adult.

People don't become fully "adult" until they're in their 30s, according to brain scientists.

Currently the UK law says you become a mature adult when you reach the age of 18.

Scientists who study the brain and nervous system say the age at which you become an adult is different for everyone.

Research suggests people aged 18 are still going through changes in the brain which can affect behaviour and make them more likely to develop mental health disorders.

Professor Peter Jones, from Cambridge University, said: "What we're really saying is that to have a definition of when you move from childhood to adulthood looks increasingly absurd.

"It's a much more nuanced transition that takes place over three decades."

He added: "I guess systems like the education system, the health system and the legal system make it convenient for themselves by having definitions."

When you reach 18, you can vote, buy alcohol, get a mortgage and are also treated as an adult if you get in trouble with the police.

Despite this, Professor Jones says he believes experienced criminal judges recognise the difference between a 19-year-old defendant and a "hardened criminal" in their late 30s.

"I think the system is adapting to what's hiding in plain sight, that people don't like (the idea of) a caterpillar turning into a butterfly," he said.

"There isn't a childhood and then an adulthood. People are on a pathway, they're on a trajectory."

Prof Jones is one of a number of experts who are taking part in a neuroscience meeting hosted by the Academy of Medical Sciences in Oxford.

 

BBC.COM

 

Comments: 242
#242   Kali
      
References:


Casino app echtgeld android

References:
https://www.udrpsearch.com/user/nationconga33
7 April 2026 02:40
#241   Ricky
      
References:


Instant Casino Einzahlungsmethoden

References:
https://p.mobile9.com/gymlamb1/
6 April 2026 08:32
#240   Gladys
      
References:


Instant Casino Auszahlungsdauer

References:
https://tvoyaskala.com/user/homesmash4/
6 April 2026 00:42
#239   Raquel
      
References:


Gewinne bei Instant Casino auszahlen

References:
https://md.chaosdorf.de/s/9MtTb6TgIi
6 April 2026 00:14
#238   Rosita
      
References:


Instant Casino Einzahlungsmethoden

References:
https://output.jsbin.com/misocelila/
5 April 2026 12:52
#237   Cassandra
      
References:


Instant Casino Willkommensbonus

References:
https://moxymuse.com/forums/users/collarjar0/
5 April 2026 12:24
#236   Curtis
      
References:


Steroid pills vs injection

References:
http://tools.refinecolor.com/qulchristal120
22 March 2026 18:48
#235   Sheree
      
References:


George thorogood bad to the bone

References:
https://matkafasi.com/user/peanutsushi8
19 March 2026 08:53
#234   Alica
      
References:


Hard rock casino punta cana

References:
https://fkwiki.win/wiki/Post:Hotel_Cocktail_Lounge_Cafe
19 March 2026 05:55
#233   Ana
      
18 March 2026 21:35
#232   Sima
      
18 March 2026 19:31
#231   Flossie
      
References:


Casino world challenge

References:
https://schoolido.lu/user/steplocust5/
18 March 2026 15:08
#230   Polly
      
References:


Granite falls casino

References:
https://ryu-ga-index.com:443/index.php?hjortlane907650
18 March 2026 13:01
#229   Flor
      
muscle pills that work


https://waywoman3.bravejournal.net/buy-clenbuterol-usa-legal-clenbuterol-for-sal
e-online https://waywoman3.bravejournal.net


https://zenwriting.net/quillnose6/clenbuterol-40mcg-cut-fat-quickly zenwriting.net


http://09vodostok.ru/user/waydance4/ 09vodostok.ru


https://medibang.com/author/27868229/ medibang.com


https://brewwiki.win/wiki/Post:Crazy_Bulk_Review_I_Tried_It_For_30_Days_Heres_My
_Results https://brewwiki.win/wiki/Post:Crazy_Bulk_Review_I_Tried_It_For_30_Days_Heres_My
_Results


https://rentry.co/zksvagwa rentry.co


https://fravito.fr/user/profile/2194230 fravito.fr


https://erickson-lam.mdwrite.net/buy-clenbuterol-the-best-steroid-source-online https://erickson-lam.mdwrite.net/buy-clenbuterol-the-best-steroid-source-online


https://medibang.com/author/27868229/ medibang.com


https://levesque-gylling-2.thoughtlanes.net/risks-and-safety-of-clenbuterol-for-
bodybuilding https://levesque-gylling-2.thoughtlanes.net/risks-and-safety-of-clenbuterol-for-
bodybuilding


http://ezproxy.cityu.edu.hk/login?url=https://thehollywoodtrainerclub.com/static
/pgs/?buy_clenbuterol_4.html http://ezproxy.cityu.edu.hk/


https://molchanovonews.ru/user/foxonion6/ molchanovonews.ru


http://gojourney.xsrv.jp/index.php?eyearcher9 gojourney.xsrv.jp


https://eskisehiruroloji.com/sss/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=edgeson7 eskisehiruroloji.com


https://king-wifi.win/wiki/Clenbuterol_Clenbuterol_Hydrochloride king-wifi.win


https://hikvisiondb.webcam/wiki/Sopharma_Clenbuterol_20mcg_Tablets_Fat_Burning_C
utting_Support https://hikvisiondb.webcam/


https://sfenglishlessons.com/members/shoewaiter4/activity/582390/ https://sfenglishlessons.com/members/shoewaiter4/activity/582390/


https://waywoman3.bravejournal.net/buy-clenbuterol-usa-legal-clenbuterol-for-sal
e-online https://waywoman3.bravejournal.net/buy-clenbuterol-usa-legal-clenbuterol-for-sal
e-online
3 March 2026 19:56
#228   Cara
      
beast 2 shredded gnc

References:
humanlove.stream
3 March 2026 08:03
#227   Dessie
      
the adverse effects of using anabolic steroids are
serious because

References:
https://humanlove.stream
3 March 2026 02:45
#226   Stormy
      
politikuri tamashi

References:
cpdbouvxc3m7.blog.fc2.com
1 March 2026 04:45
#225   Edwardo
      
turning stone casino

References:
bitpoll.de
28 February 2026 23:18
#224   Bradford
      
bodybuilding get cut

References:
www.garagesale.es
26 February 2026 18:42
#223   Lazaro
      
26 February 2026 13:17
Add Comments

Name:*
E-Mail:
  Geo Keyboard  
 

Dear reader, guardian.ge welcomes your comments. Please express your views on topic and be respectful of others.

bold italic underline strike | align left centered align right | Ensert smilies insert linkInsert protected URL Choice the color | hidden text insert quote Convert selected text from transliteration to Cyrillic alphabet Insert spoiler

Code: *


Back1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 13Next