I’m turning 18 in three months, and this gives me the rights of an adult; however, it does not make me an adult. There are three main influences in the development of an adult: emotional, biological, and cultural. Many components of adulthood can be attributed back to these concepts; however, they’re only factors. Becoming an adult is a mindset and a choice. This transition occurs over time but is defined by a change in personal evaluation rather than age or a singular event in life. 

       In my household the defining point of adulthood is stepping up for others, having the maturity to put forth family needs above all else including your own at times. My mother’s side of the family is Polish, and it has been the centered aspect of culture in my house. Despite my upbringing of Catholic Polish values, I never experienced a coming of age tradition myself.  Everything for my mother was centered back in faith, relying on Catholicism to guide herself and her family. Therefore, the mindset I’ve developed entering adulthood is to “ be selfless and forgiving.” 

     We know how religions and family culture determine our outlook, but how does social culture determine mindsets? 

 As citizens the right to vote is very important and privileged, having the power to make decisions regarding those in governmental power is very instrumental in social values such as America's democracy. In the upcoming graduating class of 2024 we have many young adults, 18 year olds.  My peers are conflicted with who to vote for,  viewing the upcoming options of say Trump or Biden to be daunting . The lack of understanding most of us have regarding our political state combined with the pressure of voting and being a part of a brighter future leads us to feel we truly have adult standing. Our voices should be heard, but our minds are not necessarily 18. 

In 2020, 50% of young adults ranging from the ages 18-29 voted in the presidential election. The difference is this year's 2006 babies entering adulthood  share more tenacity toward adult responsibilities. In a time of global political chaos and manipulation, it is hard for first-year voters to make informed decisions. The mindset of wanting to be a part of the culture trumps the mindset of evaluating if we really believe in the decisions we are making. Although we cannot understand the reason behind our decisions as young adults always, we can understand the sensation of power, within life it breeds responsibility, the kind that's overwhelming.

      If being an adult is a mindset, how do we reach living  this mindset after deciding on it? The answer is Self Actualization. 

    As human beings at all ages and levels of development, we make personal goals in hopes to better ourselves, but the amount and intention of goals changes into a hierarchy as we grow in experience. 

Self actualization is at the pinnacle of what psychologist  Abraham Maslow defined as the hierarchy of human needs. This hierarchy goes as follows: physiological, safety, love/ belonging, esteem, self actualization. As individuals we start at the bottom fluctuating in unique orders through these levels, only do we start to tackle them on our own once we reach the later ages of adolescence. Maslow claimed if we were able to meet the first four needs, this would lead to self actualization. But he noted, this couldn't be done without fully appreciating every other need leading up. To reach the full potential of ourselves, we must provide ourselves with the greatest level of introspection. Any one with desires can form a mindset, but they can only live it by being honest with themselves. 

   Voting traditions carry immense emotional value, but mean little to growth if the child in which they surround does not understand their position. Our psychological needs drive our behavior; therefore, it is okay to stumble on this hierarchy. To become an adult, the biggest mindset one must allow themselves to appreciate is the right to make mistakes. 

I am not an adult and on the day of my 18th birthday. I will not be an adult when I vote, rather I will be growing with a mindset to set me forward, an intention towards my humanity. As I remind myself to slow down I hope this can be a message to others. However, I will celebrate my transformation thus far, in  a time old valued tradition that marks the importance of my responsibility and forthcoming freedom, my high school graduation. 

“Half of Youth Voted in 2020, An 11-Point Increase from 2016.” Tufts' CIRCLE, 29 April 2021, circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/half-youth-voted-2020-11-point-increase-2016. Accessed 17 May 2024.

Sullivan, Erin. “Self-actualization | Psychology, Maslow's Hierarchy & Human Potential.” Britannica, 23 April 2024, britannica.com/science/self-actualization. Accessed 16 May 2024.