The significance of the 21st birthday used to be that that was when a personSome of us 'missed-out' on both lots of gifts!
officially became an adult. I got married at 19, and at that time had to
have my parents' permission to do so as I was under 21. My husband then
became responsible for me as he was over 21 - but I'd have liked to have
seen him try to tell me what I could and couldn't do! I couldn't rent a
house or flat, get credit, have a mortgage, buy a house, vote and other
things which obviously didn't bother me at the time. I was officially a
minor until the age of 21. So getting the key of the door was symbolic of
becoming an adult and being able to set up your own household. The age of
majority was lowered to 18 many years ago so the significant birthday is now
18, but many still celebrate 21 as well to get a double lot of gifts :-D.
Like you I was married as a minor at 19, but came of age on 1st January 1970, the date when the age of majority came down to 18, when was 20 and a bit, although the 21st birthday was still celebrated as 'the big one'
Brenda in Kent, UK http://users.argonet.co.uk/users/paternoster/
To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
