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When they try minor defendants in the USA as "adults," aren't they saying the kids aren't what the seem to be, that they aren't actually their chronological age? "Young at heart," an "old soul," saying the same thing.
Maybe we should respect someone who says they're old enough to be free of parental guardianship, or an adult child who isn't 26 in their self-view and shouldn't be kicked off their parents insurance.
Lots of possibilities here
Ehhhh careful. That line of thinking could easily turn into "I am the age that I say I am and I don't care that you think Gary is a creepy pedo. My body is 8 years old but I feel like a 40 year old and Gary understands that!"
To your point. Age shouldn't matter beyond that one transition from "legal guardian protects you while your brain finishes development" and "you are now legally an adult and in control (and responsible for) your own actions".
I think this is why the US legal system actually gets this one pretty close to right.