The desire to be an adult is one that cannot be overlooked in young children. Knowing when childhood ends is subjective, subjected to race, nationality, corporate institutions and well defined entities.
The legal stance in most climes puts childhood experience for a person who is below 18 years of age. Other subjective areas that determine the age for childhood experience includes:
- Registering for a drivers license
- When preparing travelling documents
- engaging in certain behavioral habits
- attempting to occupy certain societal roles.
This subjective nature makes it uncertain to specify the age at which a child could be called an adult. While there is no fortune teller that can tell you when you childhood ends, there are signs and experiences that by observation, will give you information that you are transitioning from childhood. Of course, this transition is a phase and the duration varies.
When children are exposed to taking responsibility early in life, they are in a better position to transition to adulthood early, the childhood experience for such children are often shorter compared to others who are not given responsibility early. I grew up as child in the city of Lagos, Nigeria, lavished with care and support from great parents. Of course, i would say that the phase when childhood ends is when you are able to take advantage of the knowledge you have acquired to make certain decisions, the moment you begin to be thoughtful, meditate and process information before acting.
Yes, it is that moment when you make certain decisions that leaves other people shocked and baffled knowing fully well that you understand the implications of such decisions.
