Don’t care how you slice it...18 is young. Just because they were running businesses and farms does not change their age. Women/girls were getting married and having children anywhere from 14-18. They were still young, but acted like adults not permanent infants. We do not allow our youth to grow up soon enough.
The regime strives to convince Pajama Boy & Julia that they are still unable to fend for themselves @ age 26 and need the fedgov to take care of them.
you are right, chronologically, they were young. mentally, they were mature, spirit they were uncowed.