Now+You+Are+Becoming+of+Age

In our community, there are many different significances that define our age groups. The various age groups are used to create responsibilities and other actions we prepare to take on as we reach certain ages. In Judaism, Bar or Bat Mitzvah are the terms to describe the coming of age of a Jewish boy or girl. It is a ceremony that usually occurs when a Jewish child turns thirteen and it symbolizes that they are now an adult in the Jewish community. Being a part of the Jewish community, they are expected to fast on Yom Kippur, go to synagogue on Shabbat, and eat kosher food. The Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are clearly differentiated at the synagogue. One can tell who is a Bar or Bat Mitzvah if they are wearing a tallit and or tefillin. The driving age in America is fifteen years old. Once somebody turns fifteen they can go and get their driving permit. A driving permit allows you to drive but you must be accompanied by an adult over twenty one. When somebody turns sixteen they can get their driving license which allows them to drive unaccompanied by an adult. The driving permit differentiates the drivers that must be accompanied from the drivers that don’t need to be accompanied. Eighteen year-olds in the United States have the right to bear arms, own property, marry without parental consent, get an abortion, donate their body to science, and serve on a jury. When an American citizen turns eighteen they are given the choice to vote in the upcoming presidential election. This is a very important responsibility. Voting gives the population a choice and once the citizen turns eighteen he is permitted to take part in that decision. Eighteen is also the minimum age to purchase tobacco and alcohol. With these new privileges come responsibility: eighteen year-olds are tried as adults in court. Once somebody has turned the twenty one, they are then considered an adult. They can adopt children, supervise a learner driver, become a Member of Parliament, obtain a flying license, and be sent to prison. Twenty one is also the legal age to drink alcohol.
 * Journal One **