Friend wants to leave home (18 years old)

[Jefe]

Later on when I become a father I won't throw my kids as soon as they get 18. I think it's fucked up to assume as soon as they reach x age they'll be able to take care of themselves. I guess filial piety is strong among us Latino folk. And another reason why most of our children don't dump our asses in an old folks home to rot and wallow in our own crapulence. Karma is a bitch :D

A little story: I've been living by myself since I was like 19 due to an emergency. My mum had to leave the country and I had to find a job within a week. Ever since then I've been working and studying, etc.

[Melchiah]

I live in Clay, about 20 miles north of Birmingham, AL. The age of majority here is indeed 19, but that only extends to privileges of majority. You can still get hit with the responsibilities of majority in the middle of your teens around here.

Example: A person in Alabama cannot buy alcohol, cigarettes, firearms, or own property until they are 19(21 in the case of alcohol). However you for damn sure get to pay taxes on any wages you earn regardless of age, and you can be tried as an adult at I think 14 or 15.

I have always been of the opinion that the disparity between privileges and responsibilities with regard to age should be addressed, unfortunately I am the minority here.