The video explores whether age is the best way to measure maturity, using the example of two siblings who are only minutes apart in age but differ in voting eligibility. While many countries define adulthood at 18, some advocate lowering the voting age to 16, arguing that younger people can be just as politically aware.
Neuroscience shows that the brain continues developing through adolescence and into the twenties, with changes in gray and white matter impacting decision-making abilities. Though cognitive abilities like reasoning and problem-solving are strong by age 16, teens are more susceptible to social and emotional influences, which can lead to riskier decisions.
The video suggests that maturity comes in waves rather than a single age and that different aspects of adulthood develop at different times. As a result, age may not be the best measure of adulthood, and factors like experience and brain development should also be considered. Some scientists even propose expanding juvenile courts to include young adults due to their still-developing brains.
Vocabulary:
• Trajectory: The path or process of development over time.
• Gray matter: Brain tissue involved in short-range communication and processing.
• Pruning: The process of removing unnecessary connections in the brain.
• Susceptible: Easily influenced or harmed by something.
• Rash: Acting hastily or without careful consideration.
Source: Ted-Ed