Fiona's Blog: 5 Things Turning 18 Will and Won’t Mean for Me

I’m turning 18 in a few days, and I recently realized I have no idea what that means. The end of childhood? The beginning of responsibility? The age of consent? The beginning of freedom? So I decided to make a list of exactly what turning 18 will and won’t mean for me.1.    While Rick Perry might disagree, the law seems to indicate that I will, in fact, be able to vote. As an 18-year-old, I no longer get to be that snarky underage kid who is way too critical of all the candidates, but gets aggravated about low voter turnout. I will finally have the burden and opportunity to be accountable for my opinions. And to be completely honest, I’m a little confused about which candidate I’ll vote for, since they all sort of make me feel a little nauseous at the moment. Can’t I just write in John Huntsman’s daughters?2.    I will be able to enlist in the army without parental consent. Uh, yay? While I’d say it’s probably more likely that I would become an elephant trainer than enlist in the army, it’s still fascinating to me that I can volunteer for the service if I so choose. Apparently, the law trusts me with a gun and the lives of others. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a pretty responsible kid, but that’s a lot to put on someone my age.3.    I can go to jail for offenses that would have previously warranted a slap on the wrist. Guess I have to resist TP-ing the neighborhood on this birthday. Shucks, what a disappointment.4.    I can be called for jury duty. Wow, turning 18 is just a barrel of fun. I mean, I realize the importance of a jury in our court system, and it might be exciting to actually listen to a testimony that isn’t on Law & Order, but I’ve heard that jury duty where I live can be a lot of sitting in a room waiting for stuff. So, I’m not exactly counting down the days.5.    I will be able to toast my birthday with a nice glass of sparkling apple cider, because turning 18 will not mean that I am able to drink alcohol. Apparently I am responsible enough to be entrusted behind the wheel of a car, and with a gun, and could determine the fate of an accused person, but I’m not quite mature enough for that glass of champagne.It looks like turning 18 just sort of means some more responsibility. It doesn’t really feel like much of a milestone to me, and my generation’s refusal to grow up isn’t helping this. All I know is, if being 18 means I have to throw out my stuffed animals, I am not OK with this.Fiona Lowenstein is a high school senior, weekly guest blogger and Girls Leadership Institute alumna. Read more of her work here.