# What expectations does Western Society have on people over the age of 18 **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 14, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202 "2017-03-14T23:59:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ssgenius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/1 "2017-03-14T23:59:25Z")
Generally, I have found the following 1. It is assumed that everyone has a cell phone of some type. 2. It is assumed that everyone has access to the internet and is available on short notice if they are online. 3. It is assumed that most people have a driver’s license and an operational vehicle and can drive reasonably well. 4. Everyone has a credit/debit account of some sort. 5. Everyone knows basic English (even in non English speaking countries) 6. Everyone has some sort of a facebook/Twitter/Instagram/snapchat account. Anymore assumptions? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/2 "2017-03-15T00:26:05Z")
One is either in college or employed. The “just a kid” defense for crimes such as disorderly conduct, vandalism, driving under the influence, etc. is no longer valid. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/3 "2017-03-15T00:45:05Z")
I would say that those are assumptions for millenials, that is people who are currently between the age of 18 and their early thirties. I certainly wouldn’t expect all of those things of people over 40, for example. Not sure if you’re saying that most people would. As a person who is well over 40, half of them are inaccurate for me (and another if by cell phone you mean something other than a dumb flip phone). ---
**Author:** ![ssgenius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/4 "2017-03-15T00:46:58Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > One is either in college or employed. > > The “just a kid” defense for crimes such as disorderly conduct, vandalism, driving under the influence, etc. is no longer valid. Interesting point Since I have been semi-retired, I am often busier than when I was employed as everyone assumes that I can drop everything to help them out or volunteer. Unfortunately, being semi-retired is not that great on the finances. ---
**Author:** ![ssgenius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/5 "2017-03-15T00:51:37Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > I would say that those are assumptions for millenials, that is people who are currently between the age of 18 and their early thirties. I certainly wouldn’t expect all of those things of people over 40, for example. Not sure if you’re saying that most people would. > > As a person who is well over 40, half of them are inaccurate for me (and another if by cell phone you mean something other than a dumb flip phone). A surprising number of over 40 people have tablets. I prefer a laptop (I am 49) but my mother who is 74 loves her tablet as she can see what her grandchildren are up to. Yes, I mean smart phone Thanks ---
**Author:** ![ssgenius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/6 "2017-03-15T00:56:17Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > One is either in college or employed. > > The “just a kid” defense for crimes such as disorderly conduct, vandalism, driving under the influence, etc. is no longer valid. Agreed, there is a lot less tolerance on that. Part of this is the abundance of cell phone cameras all over the place recording everything. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/7 "2017-03-15T00:59:02Z")
I’m gonna question #3 as being US-centric and a bit rural/suburban in scope. Lots of adults live in cities - particularly European cities where cars (and thus driving ability, and less often even the possession of a license) are an unnecessary expense and bother. When you live within walking distance or have reliable public transport, it serves the same purpose. Assumptions for ‘adults’ You are either in a long-term relationship or looking to establish one, with the intent to ‘settle down’ for whatever value that has in your region. You have some means of paying for the occasional leisure activity: going out to restaurants, movies, attending concerts or sporting events, etc. You are in debt of some sort: college loans, car payments, credit card debt, alimony or child support. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/8 "2017-03-15T01:33:54Z")
I would expect them to vote and serve on a jury if called to do so. ---
**Author:** ![ssgenius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/9 "2017-03-15T01:43:21Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > I’m gonna question #3 as being US-centric and a bit rural/suburban in scope. Lots of adults live in cities - particularly European cities where cars (and thus driving ability, and less often even the possession of a license) are an unnecessary expense and bother. When you live within walking distance or have reliable public transport, it serves the same purpose. > > Assumptions for ‘adults’ > > You are either in a long-term relationship or looking to establish one, with the intent to ‘settle down’ for whatever value that has in your region. > > You have some means of paying for the occasional leisure activity: going out to restaurants, movies, attending concerts or sporting events, etc. > > You are in debt of some sort: college loans, car payments, credit card debt, alimony or child support. Yes, I was referring to the USA However, I did live in the Netherlands for a year and yes I got by with a bike and used public transit for that year (and occasionally borrowing a car) However, the freedom of having a car is quite liberating but as you mentioned, very expensive. Something many people in Europe doesn’t truly understand is the size of the USA and how (outside of the NE corridor) is the literal necessity of a vehicle ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/10 "2017-03-15T01:48:22Z")
> [@ssgenius](#): > > Yes, I was referring to the USA In which case your thread title betrays some alarming assumptions! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/11 "2017-03-15T01:48:54Z")
You conform to societal standards of proper dress, behavior and cleanliness, relative to the occasion. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/12 "2017-03-15T01:52:27Z")
I’m over 18. I live in Western Society. I don’t have 1, 3 or 6. I’m also not in debt and I don’t vote. ---
**Author:** ![ssgenius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/13 "2017-03-15T01:57:54Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > In which case your thread title betrays some alarming assumptions! 😉 Interestingly enough, between most of Western Europe and significant parts of the USA, the differences are not quite as much as commonly thought but that would be the subject of another thread. My source for that is the students that I taught in that there was not a huge gap between students from Western Europe or the USA. ---
**Author:** ![ssgenius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/14 "2017-03-15T02:05:11Z")
Sorry for not defining Western society but I would consider it as North America (including Mexico) Most of South America Australia and New Zealand UK and most of Europe (except for Russia and the Ukraine) Japan Not sure whether to include China but certainly many parts of it would qualify ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/15 "2017-03-15T02:13:09Z")
> [@ssgenius](#): > > Generally, I have found the following > > 1. It is assumed that everyone has a cell phone of some type. > > 2. It is assumed that everyone has access to the internet and is available on short notice if they are online. > > 3. It is assumed that most people have a driver’s license and an operational vehicle and can drive reasonably well. > > 4. Everyone has a credit/debit account of some sort. > > 5. Everyone knows basic English (even in non English speaking countries) > > 6. Everyone has some sort of a facebook/Twitter/Instagram/snapchat account. > > Anymore assumptions? > > Thanks I question numbers 3 and 5. 3.) Kids not deciding not to bother getting a license or learning to drive is a growing phenomenon in U.S. culture. 5.) This one is absolutely not true. It’s a topic of much controversy as to whether immigrants should be required to learn English or not. There is a large segment of the U.S. population that does not know English. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/16 "2017-03-15T02:25:37Z")
Japan as Western society? How does that work? Kinda turns that whole “west” thing on its head, does it not ;)? And if you include Japan, why not for example South Korea? ---
**Author:** ![ssgenius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/17 "2017-03-15T02:40:48Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Japan as Western society? How does that work? Kinda turns that whole “west” thing on its head, does it not ;)? And if you include Japan, why not for example South Korea? Sorry, I forgot about South Korea:smack: When I made the post, I originally considered Western society to be USA, Canada and Western Europe including the UK. After thinking about it, I expanded the definition to include most of South America, Australia and New Zealand and then decided to include Japan and segments of China as well. Sorry about missing South Korea:mad: Realistically, I should also include Indonesia as well. Not sure about India??? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/18 "2017-03-15T02:44:08Z")
Why not just say everything except the Third World? And everyone in a particular age group and socio-economic and educational parameters? ---
**Author:** ![ssgenius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/19 "2017-03-15T02:47:59Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I question numbers 3 and 5. > > 3.) Kids not deciding not to bother getting a license or learning to drive is a growing phenomenon in U.S. culture. > > Definitely true. Kids would rather text or chat with each other without driving or try to get their parents or friends to drive them > 5.) This one is absolutely not true. It’s a topic of much controversy as to whether immigrants should be required to learn English or not. There is a large segment of the U.S. population that does not know English. You probably have more experience with that than me but I have found that most young people Worldwide have some basic knowledge of English. (Blame the Internet and Hollywood for that) I wouldn’t doubt that there are sections of the USA where Spanish is common but even among most Spanish people, U have encountered they usually know some English ---
**Author:** ![ssgenius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202/20 "2017-03-15T02:50:48Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Why not just say everything except the Third World? And everyone in a particular age group and socio-economic and educational parameters? Exactly what I was trying to get at but I substituted “Western Society” for that definition and assumed that everyone else understood that Thanks 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-expectations-does-western-society-have-on-people-over-the-age-of-18/782202.md?page=2)