Personal Responsibilty---at what age?

The March 05, 2019 edition of our local newspaper, the Parsons Sun, included an informative front page article titled, “City makes tobacco 21 more restrictive.” In which it was explained that on March 04 the Parsons City Commissioners voted 3-1 to eliminate exemptions in an ordinance that made it illegal for most people under 21 to buy tobacco or vaping liquid.

Adding but another chapter, so-to-speak, to the city’s seemingly never ending struggle to define to the satisfaction of all, the “age of personal responsibility” within the city limits. A no doubt well-intentioned struggle by all concerned, that none the less appears to have to date unduly discounted or minimized some meaningful perspectives, such as:

(1.) Within referenced Parsons Sun article is one City Commissioner’s acknowledgement that “. . . adulthood starts at 18 and the city shouldn’t take away an adult’s rights.”

(2.) The Twenty-sixth Amendment prohibits the federal government from using age as a reason for denying law-abiding citizens, at least 18 years old, their right to vote;

(3.) Our nation (including the city of Parsons) permits our law-abiding youth to join the military at age 18 (and at age 17 with parental consent);

(4.) The State of Kansas, for example, allows our youth, after reaching age 15 and having held an instruction permit at least one year, to apply for a restricted driver’s license; and at age 16 and a half to be issued a full license; and without parental consent take on the responsibilities of marriage at age 18.

Some seem to find logic and peace of mind in our law-abiding youth being “old enough” to drive a potentially deadly vehicle; vote in our nation’s elections; be put in harm’s way in our military; and get married—but not “old enough” to purchase and/or possess, for example, a hand gun, rifle, alcoholic drinks, or tobacco products.

Some feel otherwise. Some continue to ponder if it is truly age 21 (or ever), when many among us become able and willing to demonstrate good judgement regarding use of tobacco products, or in making other of life’s many choices, especially those affecting not only one’s self, but also others.

Personally, I have found that most if not all of my most poorly executed judgements were not carried out when I was 15, 17, 18, etc.—but after reaching so-called adulthood. And, looking around, it seems clear that my experience is by no measure uncommon.

Somewhere in our quest to control human behavior, is an often muted cry for common sense to prevail. 

                                                            —William James Moore