1. In China, what is the legal age of adulthood?
In many countries there are limits set in place for people of certain ages. In China there are no set laws restricting people because of their age. There are no laws set restricting young people from buying cigarettes or alcohol. Most young people do not attempt to buy these products; and if they do, shop keepers use common sense when selling them. Many countries also have ratings on their movies because of adult material being portrayed. But in the movie theatres in China these scenes have been cut out of the film. There is a legal working age of eighteen. Basically there is no real need for a legal age of adulthood in China, it is just implied and enforced by the local community.
2. What sorts of things can people do when they reach this legal age of adulthood?
It’s kind of different from foreign countries. Even after reaching the legal adult age, young people don’t usually drink or go out to clubs; they usually just study and go to school. But after turning 18, youngsters can get more respect from their parents. They are treated as adults, because parents would understand they can take care of themselves. For example, they can go travelling or camping alone.
3. Since young people seem to be maturing faster than before, do you think it will be necessary to change this legal age for reaching adulthood?
I don’t think it is necessary. Getting mature is about experience, not only about age. Take China for example, people normally go to college at 19; only after that, they begin to take care of themselves and live on their own. They begin to try and learn how to deal with people and other problems, and they just start to get to know what real life is. So, I believe 18 is still a sensible age.
4. What is the minimum age for getting married in China?
There is no set minimum age, but many people try to get married before they turn 22. There are a lot of people, especially in the rural areas, that get married before that. Many get married as teenagers, and they put more importance on raising a family; mainly because they don’t go to universities. In big cities, such as Beijing, there are some people that do not get married until later in life, because they are more focused on their careers.
