Essay Outline

Name: Ivy (Po Wai), Li

Student No.: 201532083
Topic: At what age should a person be considered an adult? Make a
decision about this and then argue your point of view. Do not forget
to include a counter argument and refutation.
1st paragraph (Introduction)
Hook: At most times, people are considered an adult when they are
legally qualified for marriage, getting a driving license, enlisting in
the military or voting in the President election.
Connecting information: In most countries, 18 is the age set for
adulthood and it is the time when civil rights are granted. Therefore,
most people traditionally consider 18 as the mark for adulthood.
Thesis statement: However, in my opinion, 25 should be the new
18 which marks adulthood.
2nd paragraph
Thesis statement: First of all, the first rule to be an adult is to be
financially independent.
Connecting information:
It doesnt truly symbolize adulthood if one still has to be
financially supported by family members to pay the tuition fees
or to buy an iPhone 6
almost 60 percent of youngsters expect financial support from
parents till the age of 24 because of economic depression and
escalating living costs
Due to insufficient financial knowledge and excessive care from
parents, the number of teenagers who lack the ability to handle
financial issues is growing fast
3rd paragraph
Thesis statement: The second rule to be an adult is to be capable
of managing different emotions, which means one must not abuse
drugs out of curiosity, beat people up out of rage, rape a woman out
of sexual arousal or rob a shop driven by despair due to poverty.
Connecting information:
the peak age-crime involvement is younger than 25 for all
crimes reported in the FBIs Uniform Crime Report program
except gambling, and rates begin to decline in the late teenage
years for more than half (Ulmer & Steffensmeier 377)
Puberty should be the crucial factor for high teenage crime rate:
hormonal and physical changes
teenagers highly socialize with their peers during puberty
peer influence or pressure will affect teenagers mental

development and behavior a great deal

Compared to those before their mid-twenties, people who reach
25 become much more resistant to peer pressure and
moodiness complete cognitive and emotional development

4th paragraph
Thesis statement: The third rule to be an adult is to be fully
developed physically and psychologically.
Connecting information:
psychiatrists have found out that major neurological changes
occur till the mid-20s and putting off responsibilities such as
marriage, a career or parenthood, encourages the brain to stay
in a state of adolescence (Knapton 2015)
brain scans: the human brain, especially the part that affects
decision making and inhibits impulses for adult-like planning
and behavioral organization, will not be fully developed until 25
Conclusion
Despite the fact that adulthood cant be simply judged by a number,
25 is the best age to quantify and to determine maturity based on
many medical studies and teen research results stated above. From
today, don't call yourself an adult if you still havent hit the age 25.