Sixteen.
In a few days, I will be sixteen years old. While I won’t be getting a sweet sixteen party or the keys to a brand new car, turning sixteen is still a rite of passage. The moment the clock hits twelve, I will be embraced by the expectations and responsibilities that come with being a young adult.
Sixteen.
I could drive if I wanted to – I could hop into a car and let four wheels, gallons of gas, and my shaky hands to take me wherever I wanted to go. I could get married with my parents’ permission if I wanted to – binding my life and future to another individual. I could be tried in court like an adult. I could force my life in any direction I wanted out of either calculated decisions or sheer impulsiveness.
In my own little suburban town of America, sixteen seems like an enormous deal. I have all these opportunities to alter the course of my life forever for better or for worse. But above all – I have these freedoms, these opportunities and choices. I am lucky and enough to have a million paths where my feet could take me.
Around the world, sixteen carries more weight than opening up new doors and liberties. Sixteen means more than just upholding the responsibilities of a growing teenager. Sixteen marks the beginning of adulthood and a future dictated by milestones and traditions. For many young adults around the world, sixteen is the age that one start to follow the set-in-stone path laid out for them by cultural customs and beliefs.
In Amish country, the agesixteen is the beginning ofRumspringa, the first and final period of a person’s life in which he or she is free to break Amish traditions.For just a fraction of a lifetime, that person is free to explore the world — and then immediately return to responsibilities and conformity if he or she chooses to stay with the community.
In Pakistan, many sixteen-year-olds are already wives —21% of Pakistani girls are married before the age of eighteen.They’re already expected to fulfill domestic duties for their husbands, bear and raise children and act as adults responsible for caring for others’ lives. As some of the millions of girls wed at sixteen, they are often denied the opportunity to pursue their own educations and dreams.
In Brazil, boys of the Satere-Mawe tribe must endure excruciating pain to be recognized an adult.The boys, who may be as young as twelve years old, must wear gloves filled with stinging bullet ants and perform ritual dances to officially attain manhood.At just sixteen, they’ve already faced agonizing pain and the expectations of growing up.
In eastern Africa, some boys and girls of the Maasai people must undergo traditional practices of circumcision to be considered as adults.From the ages of fourteen to sixteen, boys often begin an initiation process calledEnkipaata. They travel across their land and perform rituals for months for theEnkipaataceremony and then move onto theEmuratareceremony for circumcision. Boys then are considered to be warriors, and females are regarded as adults. At the tender age of sixteen, they’re regarded as adults after enduring the pains of tradition.
In many cultures, reaching the age of sixteen is reaching the phase of adulthood and completing a crucial stage of life. I’m afraid to turn sixteen and bear the responsibilities and choices that come with being a young adult. But at the same time, I’m joining a class of remarkably mature, brave individuals, some of whom have been pushed to grow up at such a young age. Their lives as mere teenagers have been irrevocably changed, but their courage and strength persist. At the age of sixteen, I hope to have as much as a fraction of the resilience that they possess.
Photo byAlmos BechtoldonUnsplash
Author
High school junior and writer
FAQs
Turning 16 is big deal to most teens. Not only does their freedom expand with the addition of a driver's license, but they also are becoming more cognizant of what they want to do in their future. Those who plan to attend college may be visiting universities or preparing to take the appropriate standardized tests.
What does turning 16 represent? ›
16 is that in-between phase where you have a lot of newfound freedom with few responsibilities. You're old enough to drive, but you don't yet live on your own or have to pay for everything in life. Turning 16 is one of the last birthdays before you become an adult, and I think that's really something worth celebrating.
Why is turning 16 a big deal? ›
For many American youths, 16 is probably the most important birthday they'll celebrate before they reach legal adulthood. At 16, a young person can get a driver's license and a job—and, more importantly, they can enjoy the freedom and be expected to cope with the responsibilities that come with both.
Why is 17 an important age? ›
Transitional period. A lot of teenagers see the age of 17 as a period where they transition into young adulthood. It's often where they will experience growth, such as by developing emotional intelligence as they go through different life experiences, such as going to college or getting their first apartment.
Why 16 is special? ›
In the United States, the 16th birthday is a mark that a girl has come of age. She is not a legal adult yet, but 16 is when many girls learn to drive, can get jobs and assume other adult responsibilities. For many people, the 16th birthday is a celebration of womanhood and marks the end of a girl's childhood.
Is 16 a milestone age? ›
16th Birthday
The “Sweet 16” birthday is one of the most important milestones in a young person's life, symbolizing the beginning of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Most kids look forward to this birthday as a chance to throw a big party with their friends and family.
What is it called when a girl turns 16? ›
A sweet sixteen is a coming-of-age party celebrating a girl's 16th birthday, it is mainly celebrated in some parts of the United States and Canada.
Why is a girl's 16th birthday so important? ›
Coming of Age
Your daughter's birthdays are always special; however, turning 16 is a huge deal, as this is the year she enters womanhood. She is starting to figure out her place in the world and begins looking forward to the future.
What is a boy's 16th birthday called? ›
Pros and Cons of Sweet 16 Parties for Boys
With so much focus on social interactions in the modern world, Sweet 16 parties can benefit boys as much as girls. Young boys may feel more uncomfortable with socializing, and celebrating this stage in life with a sense of independence and individuality can boost confidence.
What is the mindset of a 17 year old? ›
Most 17-year-olds are goal-oriented. They are beginning to imagine what type of life they want to create beyond high school. Be sure you are allowing them the space to figure out who they are and what they want to do. Many 17-year-olds form strong relationships.
The answer to this question in international and domestic law is clear: a child is anyone under the age of 18.
Is it OK to be childish at 17? ›
Yes, it is completely normal to feel like a kid at 17 years old. At this age, you are still in the process of growing and developing, both physically and mentally. It is common to have a range of emotions and thoughts as you navigate through this stage of your life.
Why is 16 years special? ›
Historically, a girl's coming-of-age meant that she was ready for marriage, but today, its value has transcended mere marriage and child-bearing. Although many girls still celebrate turning 16 with some coming-of-age traditions intact, entering this phase means the opening of many doors and possibilities.
What is special about the number 16? ›
number symbolism
Because 16 is the square of 4, it inherits favourable attributes. It was popular in ancient India; the Vedas talk of 16-fold incantations, and the Chinese-Indian goddess Pussa has 16 arms. The Rosicrucians believed that nature consisted of 16 elements.
Why is it important when you turn 16? ›
Turning 16 is a significant chapter in a teenager's life, marked by a mix of privileges and responsibilities. It's a time to explore newfound freedoms while making choices that will shape their future. Although you open a lot more doors when you turn 18, turning 16 is still very exciting.
What does the 16 represent? ›
Number 16 is a number of completion, overcoming your struggles, and taking care of yourself and others. It's also associated with motivation and personal growth, making it quite a powerful and unique number.
