In Germany and America, there are different customs and traditions that are upheld. Many people don't even know the reason for them anymore. There are many differences between Germany and America when it comes to ages of full adulthood.
German kids must be 18 to drive a car by themselves. This is very different to the US age of 16 that we can drive a car without our parents. The Germans may have it this way because they have more difficult driving than the US. Their roads are narrower and they also have the Autobahn which has no speed limit. Another reason may be that Germans have a better public transit system that the US does so they may not even need a car until 18.
The drinking age in the US is 21. In Germany the drinking age for beer and wine is 16 and the drinking age is 18. However, if you are accompanied by a parent in a restaurant, you are allowed to drink wine at the age of 14. Germans may have this law because they are one of the largest suppliers of beer in the world and they want to ease youths into drinking. In the US, you are able to drink anything at the age of 21 with no legal prior experience.
The marriage laws are different between the countries. In the US, both people have to be 16 for it to be legal to get married at that age. However, the legal age is 18 in most places. In Germany the legal age is 16 but one of the people getting married must be 18 for this to be legal and the 16 year old must get parental consent.
The working age between the US and Germany is quite different. In the US, you can work at the age of 14 but it must be part time and you must have a work permit. You can start working at the age of 13 in Germany if you have your parents consent. When they are 15 German can have a summer job that lets them work from 8 to 5.
There is only a slight difference between seeing rated R movies. In the US, one must be 17 to be able to see them. In Germany, you must be 18 to see them.
Joining the military is also another slight difference. In the US, a person must be 18 to join the military, while in Germany one can be 17 to join the military.
The countries of Germany and the US have many similarities and differences. Teens are given more freedom for different things in each country. Germans may be able to drink sooner but in the US, teens can drive earlier. These differences are what make us unique and our own countries.
Works Cited
http://www.gettingaroundgermany.info/regeln.shtml
http://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/cultural-comparisons/cultural-comparisons-part-2/
Why do you think it Germany they trust their minors to drink and work at a younger age, but they cant see R movies? It seems kind of strange to me.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with you there. It does seem strange but the reason may be that the parents may not think their kids are exposed to some of the things in the film yet.
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that they have to take the (speed limitless) Autobahn into account is an interesting reason that teens have to wait until they're 18 to drive.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that driving is'nt as big in Germany as it is in the US.
ReplyDeleteBut it would make sense then that since there are less people driving, they are more responsible about it, since driving is even more of a privilege there, whereas being an expectation in America.
ReplyDeleteThere are some people who would like to raise the U.S. driving age to 18. Do you think think this would be a good idea?
ReplyDeleteHow does all of this affect the youth though?
ReplyDelete