It’s hard when they are 17 and have almost no options because of rules about “children.”
Exactly, and some are ready sooner than others, but the indications that they’re ready are pretty similar. Seventeen is a very awkward age — not a kid but not a man. Favorite Son entered the army at 17. It served him well, because he’s seldom been out of work, since.
Strange, in’it? Someone somewhere threw a dart at the board and decided 18 would be the age of majority. But no 2 18-y-o children are the same. Some could be trusted with a contract at 15, some can’t be trusted at 25.