What defines adulthood according to the text?

Adulthood is primarily defined by the acquisition of rights and responsibilities. This concept highlights that reaching adulthood is not merely about achieving specific statuses or financial situations, but rather about being recognized as a member of society with certain legal rights and societal obligations. In most cultures, adulthood typically confers the right to vote, the ability to enter into contracts, and other legal capacities, which are important indicators of one's status as an adult.

While other factors, such as financial stability or marital status, can contribute to one's experience of adulthood, they do not universally define it. The essence of adulthood lies more in the social and legal acknowledgment of an individual’s responsibilities, such as taking on roles that impact others and making decisions that can affect one’s community or society as a whole. Thus, the emphasis on rights and responsibilities encapsulates the broader, more socially accepted understanding of what it means to be an adult.