In the United States, the legal age of adulthood is currently set at 18 years. This age is when individuals are granted full legal rights and responsibilities, including the ability to vote, join the military, and enter into contracts. However, given the complexities and challenges that modern young adults face, it is time to reconsider this threshold and raise the legal adult age to 20 years.

There are several compelling reasons for this change. With advances in neuroscience, research shows that the human brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex responsible for decision making, risk assessment, and impulse control, continues to develop well into the mid-20s. By increasing the legal adulthood age, we could provide young individuals with more time to mature both neurologically and socially, ensuring they make more informed and responsible decisions.

Moreover, society's expectations of young people have evolved. Today's youth face enormous pressure regarding education, career choices, and financial independence. By delaying the age at which they are legally considered adults, we can offer them more time to equip themselves with the skills and experiences necessary to thrive in adulthood.

The legal adult age in the United States should be raised to 20, the actual age one is no longer a teenager, not the 18 and 21 arbitrarily chosen in the past. An 18 or 19 year old is by definition still a teenager. This is true irrespective of the person's physical, mental and emotional development. The age of 20 should be the age at which one must register for the Selective Service and be allowed to enlist in the military. Ideally, it should also be the age when an individual is allowed to vote in elections and serve on a jury. It should be the age at which a person can obtain a credit card and legally purchase alcohol, tobacco and firearms. It should also be the age when one can obtain a driver's license and rent a car, not 16 and 21, respectively. In addition, it should be the age at which one is allowed into nightclubs and strip clubs, etc. Last but not least, it should be the age when one is allowed to book flights, cruises and hotel rooms.

We urge policymakers, lawmakers, and community leaders to consider this important change for the betterment of our society and the future of our youth. Please sign this petition to support raising the US legal adult age to 20, and protect the well-being and success of future generations.