18-year-olds – adults or still young?

The age of majority has always stirred emotions, and today the question of whether an 18-year-old is already a fully grown adult is becoming increasingly relevant. Supporters of keeping the current regulations emphasize that at this age one can vote, drive a car, or start a family – and thus should also be held accountable like adults. Critics, however, argue that young people’s brains are still developing, and impulsiveness and lack of experience should be taken into account in criminal law. There are also theories that harsh punishments for the young serve statistics more than justice. Is raising the threshold to 21 a protection for youth, or a path to impunity?