If the legal age is 18 then why are pediatricians allowed to see patients up to 21?

Question

Doesn't that make you re think the legal age?

abc3643 · Answer

Because the law and biology are two different things.

The day you turn 18 is not some magical moment in which Nature flips a switch and, voilà!, you are an adult.

18 is a somewhat arbitrary number to set for adulthood for legal reasons because we have to establish it sometime. 18 year-olds are not that experienced as adults, but they have an idea of right and wrong and personal responsibility and that actions have consequences. But that doesn't mean that you have your shit together. Indeed, the voting age used to be 21 until the 26th Amendment in 1971 when the minimum age to vote was lowered to 18 throughout the country. But, the drinking age was elevated to 21 across the country in 1984. And, good luck renting a car if you are under 25.

My point in the above is to show two things: 18 is somewhat arbitrary and full-responsible adulthood varies depending on the situation.

And Nature is like that too. You may physiologically essentially be an adult by 18, but your body (including the brain) is still going through significant changes until about the age of 25. A pediatrician is a specialist in how the bodies transforms from childhood to adulthood, so continuing to see your pediatrician in your early adult years (18 to 21) is consistent with that philosophy.

Remember this always: Nature does not give a shit about you or anyone else or your society's laws or culture. Nature dictates what reality is and your job, as a functional adult, is to be aware of that and adapt accordingly to maximize your likelihood of surviving in the world.

FreyaRed · Answer

Pediatricians have always general medicine exam, they can treat adults, they are just specialized for children treatment .

Dr_Dixon_Cider · Answer

A lot of things make me re-think the legal age.

NathanDavis · Answer

pediatricians are not limited by age... so the transition can happen at any point between 16 and 25...

lilBigPotato · Answer

Because turning 18 isn't a magical switch that changes everything from one day to another and not everyone is developing at the same speed.

ElenaLena · Answer

Because body and brain keep developing past 18 y/o.. so

DonaldDarko · Answer

I didn't know they were. A 21year old doesn't have a child's body anymore and doesn't need a pediatrician. Children do.

slatyb · Answer

No one tells pediatricians who they can and can't see.

Anonymous · Answer

Because they realize things don’t magically change the day you turn 18 and people mature at different ages. Some people still depend on mommy and daddy for everything at 21

BadApple69 · Answer

I pediatrician decides at what age they stop seeing patients. There is no “legal” cutoff age.

Anonymous · Answer

Nail doctors can see anybody any age what are you talking about podiatrist

Agape93 · Answer

Nope, and who gives a shit?

exitseven · Answer

Kids today have a protracted adolescences.

In_Trance · Answer

You better check your local laws on that

moddy_the_mod · Answer

Does it really matter

MrChinaski · Answer

gaaawd

Danny_dan92 · Answer

Never heard of that

If the legal age is 18 then why are pediatricians allowed to see patients up to 21?

What Girls & Guys Said

Should people under 30 not be allowed to have children?

If the legal age is 18 then why are pediatricians allowed to see patients up to 21?

What Girls & Guys Said

Should people under 30 not be allowed to have children?

We're glad to see you liked this post.