Still a child at 17 (2024)

FAQs

Is 17 still considered a child? ›

In the United States as of 1971, minor is generally legally defined as a person under the age of 18.

Yes, it is completely normal to feel like a kid at 17 years old. At this age, you are still in the process of growing and developing, both physically and mentally. It is common to have a range of emotions and thoughts as you navigate through this stage of your life.

But even though many 17-year-olds think they are adults, their brains still have not yet fully developed. So while they may have skills to regulate their impulses, they also may behave recklessly at times.

In reality, the end of childhood is actually subjective. Although the legal definition of a child is “a person under eighteen years of age,” the duration of childhood varies. It can be determined by resources, opportunities, and even race.

Legally, the term child may refer to anyone below the age of majority or some other age limit. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines child as, "A human being below the age of 18 years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier."

In most countries, teenagers between 13 and 17 years old are considered both children and teenagers simultaneously. They are neither infants nor adults but may still be regarded as children based on some medical, cultural, and legal contexts.

Some boys will reach their full adult before age 17, while others may continue growing until age 20 or 21. They'll grow around 3 inches per year during puberty, which typically occurs between ages 9 and 14 for boys.

Teens age 17 are working on understanding what it means to act responsibly. They are working to understand the rules and apply them in various settings. They are working on their own independence. They are increasingly taking care of their bodies (eating right, getting exercise).

Physical changes

Girls may experience a growth spurt in height and overall body shape in the early teen years. Girls will continue to grow, although a little more slowly, until age 17 or 18. Boys might notice pubic hair, a change in their voice, underarm hair, acne and facial hair.

Age 17 social and emotional learning milestones

Move toward a more adult sense of themselves and their purpose. Cope better with new problems and different situations than they did at younger ages (called fluid intelligence and emotional regulation). Focus on relationships and dating and likely become sexually active.

Why is being 17 so hard? ›

Teens at age 17 are in the process of learning about their strong feelings, dealing with academic and extracurricular performance pressures, considering the major life decisions ahead in their emerging adult lives, and growing friendships and romantic relationships.

Although there is a wide range of normal ages, females typically begin puberty around age 10½ and end puberty around 15–17; males begin around ages 11—12 and end around 16–17. Females attain reproductive maturity about four years after the first physical changes of puberty appear.

The answer to this question in international and domestic law is clear: a child is anyone under the age of 18.

Middle Adolescence (Ages 14 to 17)

Most males will have started their growth spurt, and puberty-related changes continue. They may have some voice cracking, for example, as their voices lower. Some develop acne. Physical changes may be nearly complete for females, and most girls now have regular periods.

Technically, the second after midnight on the day of your birthday you are over 17. In reality, what is often meant as “over 17” is a full year over 17, which would be when you turn 18.

Middle Adolescence (Ages 14 to 17)

They may have some voice cracking, for example, as their voices lower. Some develop acne. Physical changes may be nearly complete for females, and most girls now have regular periods. At this age, many teens become interested in romantic and sexual relationships.

Most pediatric clinics will treat young patients until the age of 18, although people aren't considered fully grown until they turn 21. No matter what stage your child is currently at, you should find a good clinic so that you'll know where to go if an emergency arises.

California does not set a minimum age for someone to date within the state legally. However, if an adult has sexual relations with a minor, the adult can be charged with statutory rape.