21st birthday???

[The Tree]

why do we celebrate our 21st birthday.why not our 20th.why are all the other big birthday afterwards even?

[buildersmate]

Because it was the original age at which one moved to adulthood, when when could inherit property and do lots of other things that adults do. This age was moved to 18 many years ago, leaving the opportunity to celebrate twice on both birthdates.

[andy-hughes]

Twenty-one was the age at which a person reached 'the age of majority', or, in other words, the right to vote. This was traditionally accompanied by the 'key of the door', meaning you were free to come and go. This, as advised, was seen as the transition from childhood to adulthood - shows how times have changed, and not just with the lowering of the voting age to eighteen.

[heathfield]

Yes, but The Tree's question was - why specifically 21? Unless it's based on lucky numbers 3 x 7, 21 would seem to have been drawn out of a hat.

[Loosehead]

it was 21, as explained above that historically you could do a lot of things that you can now do at 18. Generally by 21 you could do anything an adult could do. It is nothing to do with the arithmetical qualities or perceived fortuned connected with 21.

[heathfield]

Yes, LH, it's for historic reasons nowadays. But why in those far-off times did they specifically choose the figure of 21? That's the basis of the question that's not being answered.

[DiscoStu]

No, heathfield, you're actually asking a new question. The Tree's question was quite clear- why do we celebrate our 21st? And the answers are here to see!
You are raising another equally valid question which deserves its own space an answers.

[Loosehead]

Heathfield are you not reading and digesting answers? 21 was chosen because that is when you could do anything that and adult could do, what part of that don't you understand? There are various ages that certain things are allowed ranging from 16 to 21.

Do you mean "why is/was the legal age for whatever 18/21"?

[gastwo]

I'm with Heathfield - the question is why '21', why not '20'?
All the answer posts explain why we celebrate it (and now the 18th birthday) but no-one has come up with a reason for choosing 21... and I can't, either!

[dirtydeano]

Becuz dey thot dat was wen dey thot that they had fully reached the end of puberty and were mature anough to be responsible

[greenie87]

and deano cnt spell. 21 is specifically choosen because they used to say that u are mature enough to do the things a adult can do ( i also agree with everything that Andy-hughes says) . but this has changed now to 18 , and in some cases 16 (mistake in my mind) the problem is that some ppl arent mature enough at 21. so now its at 18 and 16... 18 maybe, but 16 sorry i have 2 disagree. especially with youth these days. i suppose the even year ages such as 40, 50, 60 etc are milestones, because way back when ppl where lucky to live till there thirties.

[les saisies]

I am only guessing but I think that it is related to the old apprentice schemes of the 18th & 19th century.

Children were apprenticed to employers for a period of time for training and also a fixed period after training. I think that the total period before an employee could become a "freeman" was 7 years. Therefore 14 years plus 7 years apprenticeship makes 21 years and hence the reason why historically the 21st birthday was always celebrated.

Until a man was a "freeman" he could not vote, own property etc.

As I say I am only guessing, but I remember something along these lines from a history lesson many years ago.

[mibn2cweus]

That's when you run out of fingers and toes and have to find something more interesting to keep count with. Perhaps that explains why women mature faster . . . (or why they loss count of their age after twenty-two)?

. . . anyone want to guess my age?

[heathfield]

Les Saisies answer makes much sense. On reflection, a boy's title would be 'Master' up to the age of 14, at which age he would become a 'Mister'. Add the 7 year apprenticeship and you've got it. Voil� - 21.

Mibn - The figure of 42 comes to mind when I see your posts. lol ;-)

[Solarjunkie]

I believe 21 was the age when a young man was expected to be strong enough to wield a sword and therefore had reached manhood.