For the last 15 years, I’ve wanted to be 18 years old.
My mother asked me, on my fourth birthday, what I wanted more than anything else. “A credit card,” I responded, matter-of-factly. I wanted to grow up quickly so that I could have all the responsibilities and powers that my parents supposedly had. I always thought that the moment I became an adult would be the climax of life, I would have reached my peak and finally have all the power that I knew I DESERVED.
On April 21, 2011 I turned 18 years old. It felt surreal as I made a list of all the things I could now do legally.
1. Buy Porn, (If I actually wanted to do this, I would have been able to a long time ago).
2. Buy Cigarettes, (I don’t need another bad habit).
3. Buy Cigars, (I did go buy a delicious cigar on my 18th birthday and smoked it with my legal friends. It was delicious… reminded me of smoking Dominicans with my father on our mountain porch. I enjoy a good cigar within moderation)
4. Have a credit card, (I could have done that before too, with the signature of one of both of my parents).
5. Lay in Tanning Beds, (An even worse habit than smoking, if you ask me).
6. Cross the Border alone, (The only land borders that I ever cross are between Haiti and the Dominican Republic; I already know the patrol officers and have made several deals, they never give me problems).
7. I can go to jail.
8. Commit Statutory rape.
9. I can build real debt.
10. Join the Army
11. Be Deported
12. Get married (ICK).
13. Buy lottery tickets.
14. Change your name
15. Get a tattoo, (this is semi-cool, but I could have done it a long time ago… with parent signature).
16. I can pay taxes.
17. Sign my own consent forms, (this is pretty cool… I suppose). I am now completely responsible for myself, (about the only positive thing about being 18, other than the occasional cigar).
Of course, there are many other things that I can do as an 18 year old… but these are supposed to be the most common. I've been eighteen for over two weeks now and I can honestly say it's not as exciting as I thought it was. So, I will mention the most important aspect of being 18.
18. I CAN VOTE
This means that I will have a part in making sure Donald Trump does NOT get elected president of the United States of America. So there we have it. I will be one of millions to go to voting booths in 2012 and have a small say in who becomes our nation's next leader. I wish it were more significant… but it's what I have now.
Now all I have to do is wait until I'm 21… so I can drink? Gosh. Not much too look forward to.
You can do more things at 18 than at 17 though :) Just about all I gained was the ability to watch R-rated movies on my own...
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post!
Happy belated birthday. As I read your list, I realized that about half of the things are negative. It's kind of sad that the government decided that we have to be a certain age to "enjoy" or "benefit from" these negative things. I wonder how they decided that 18 was the right age, while we're eligible to get driver's licenses at 16. Good post.
ReplyDeletewhat's semi-unfortunate is how much of this stuff is available way before you turn 18. Kind of takes some of the joy of the privledge. Plus alot of people who turn 18 don't even vote. Nice post, very creative!
ReplyDeleteEven though you have access to most of the privileges 18 provides, it still seems like it would be pretty cool to be able to call yourself an adult. (This coming from a 16 year old)
ReplyDeleteGood post!
I have paid taxes before. You can start paying taxes as soon as your have an income at the national taxable amount.
ReplyDeleteYou can get married younger, especially in Southern States.
I am fairly sure that the age of consent in Illinois is 17.
Otherwise, this post was good, especially the point which I contributed. ;)
The biggest thing for me is that I can vote in the next presidential election. Can't wait! Great post
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ezra. I think it's less about the privileges (because you already sort of have them) and more about the mentality. Great post! Have fun in Haiti!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on #5. And I'm glad you take #18 seriously. I hope you always do.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday!
I think I will commandeer this list for my own use. Out of your entire list, only numbers 4 and 17 appeal to me. I've always wanted my own credit card (especially for the vending machine) and sign my own forms (no more hounding my parents for signatures). Of course, obtaining alcohol is no hassle judging from my college visits.
ReplyDelete