ADULT HAVOC

      Everyone is striving to "take charge" of their lives by manipulating the factors influencing our life choices.
      When do we become an adult? Is question that usually ends with an unsatisfactory answer. Some will argue that to become an adult, you will need to attain a certain age and others will argue that it is by the character and behavior exhibited and not the age ,but i believe both ideas have to be combined to define an adult.

       The conflict spawns out from the fact that the "legal age"  varies in different countries but the general one is 18 years.
      Most people anticipate reaching their legal age of freedom rather than face the challenges of living, emotional conflict and psychological maturation they are exposed to. Most people see the age as a license to do whatever comes to their  mind and won't want to be questioned for their actions but we forget that the ability to decide on what is right and wrong is one of the characteristics that makes us "higher animals".
       To become an adult would still require the " age peak" of 16,18  as defined by a country, because of the psychological development occurring at this age where we have to define and recognize our personality.
        Even when some reach this age, they can not still be referred to as an adult  because their psychological and cognitive functioning may have been delayed due to a medical condition.
       Some people see this age as a milestone for the beginning of their success plans, which is a good thing if enthusiasm is put into planning on how to contribute to society's development with their ideas. This age should be the beginning of our productive years where we strive to commit ourselves to education, charity and skill development.
       Simultaneously, some others use this age to exploit all their inhibited excesses that have prevented as a child. They emulate everything they see older people do without thinking of the consequences. This explains why most of the vices carried out in the society are linked to young adults  because even at this developmental milestone that has been set , they still need guidance from older people around who have experienced trials of this phase of life and will have counselling tips  to give to young adults on how to address the situation they find themselves in.
       If we are to eradicate all these vices that are linked to our " adults" they would have to occasionally assess their actions to know those that need improvements. There should be mass media involvement to broadcast legal and illegal actions periodically to serve as a guide and reminder for them to realise that they have attained an age of responsibility.
        Adult havoc is not all about involving in crimes and upholding the laws. The choices being made about their career is also a pressing concern, we need to all be involved in. We need to our future leaders into the " circle of responsibility ", everyone should be ready to be a mentor by renouncing all acts of irresponsibilities being involved in and we should allow the young  adults take decisions with guidance because before attaining their " legal age", most decisions have been made for them with little or no involvement of their consent and now they are suddenly faced with the labyrinth of freedom and boomerang choices of consequences.
        We need to live with the  notion that with age comes responsibility and this brings us to the fact that we bear responsibility of contributing to our societal strength, development through our actions, behaviour and attitude we possess  and exhibit.
      Before we can classify ourselves as adults, let's take time to review decisions  we make daily and bear responsibility for their consequences rather than involving in power tussle for liberty to do whatever we please with no interrogation.
       A true adult is that person who has not only reached the "legal age" but also the person who has reached the psychological and cognitive level of "accountability " and enthusiasm for improvement of one's self.