[HPforGrownups] Coming of age in the WW

[GulPlum]

No: HPFGUIDX 86898

At 21:37 10/12/03 , justcarol67 wrote:

>Anyone have any clear idea of what coming of age in the WW actually
>means and whether some privileges may still be withheld? (I'm not
>talking about sex here, since that topic is unlikely to surface in th
>HP books.) Are the twins full-fledged adults in OoP? Can they marry?
>Can they vote, assuming that the WW has some sort of elected
>government? Can they legally drink anything stronger than butterbeer?
>(Is there really such a thing as butterbeer?)

Last answer first: no.

It's impossible to be certain what "coming of age" means in the 
Potterverse,  partially because under (real) British law, the term simply 
doesn't exist.

The implication of stuff said in GoF and OoP, however, implies that in the 
Wizarding World, from the age of 17 (rather than 18 in the real world), as 
of halfway through OoP in the case of the Weasley twins, one has the full 
rights of any citizen, i.e. considered able to look after one's own affairs.

To complete the picture, here's what (real) British law permits at various 
ages in the place of any unified "coming of age". I suggest that any 
commentary on this list should go to OT-Chatter as it's of no direct 
relevance to the books.

10 (earlier if determined by Court specialists) is the minimum age for 
forming criminal intent (i.e. no child under ten can be held criminally 
accountable for their actions).

12 is the minimum age to:
Buy a pet;
See a '12' rated film (or '12A' unaccompanied by a responsible adult) .

14 is the minimum age to:
Get a National Insurance number (equivalent to U.S. Social Security number) 
and thus pay tax on earned income;
Engage in paid employment for more than 16 hours per week without express 
parental and school consent (including school holidays);
Go into a pub with an adult (but not drink alcohol);
Be fingerprinted by the police (subject to Magistrate's Order);
If you are a boy, be convicted of rape and illegal sex with a girl under 
the age of 16.

15 is the minimum age to:
See a '15' rated film;
Apply for driving lessons.

16 is the minimum age to:
Have consensual sex (with another person of either gender);
Leave school;
Work full-time;
Claim state benefits in your own name;
Join a trade union;
Drink alcohol in a pub as long as you don't buy it at the bar;
Buy cigarettes;
Buy lottery tickets;
Get married (with parental consent);
Take driving test (subject to special dispensation);
Own a motor vehicle;
Pay adult fares on public transport (unless still at school);
Pay prescription charges (unless still at school).

17 is the minimum age to:
Take driving test;
Go into a betting shop (but not place a bet!)
Be tried before an adult court and be sent to prison or fined up to £2000.

18 is the minimum age for most things, including to:
Vote;
See an '18' rated film;
Gamble;
Buy alcohol (retail or in a pub);
Marry without parental permission;
Own property/land;
Sign contracts;
Apply for credit cards and loans;
Make a will;
Serve on a jury;
Donate blood/organs.

That may (or may not) :-) clarify things for non-Brits.

--
GulPlum AKA Richard, who is NOT a qualified lawyer and thus possibly out of 
date on some of the items