Final answer:
In the U.S., teenagers become legal adults at 18, allowing them to vote and enlist, but cannot purchase alcohol until 21 due to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. Driving licenses are obtained through state-specific tests and criteria. Education opportunities also vary, with some colleges having open admission policies while others require certain academic qualifications.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the United States, teenagers gain various rights at different ages. Once you turn 18, you're considered a legal adult which allows you to vote and join the armed forces. However, you cannot buy or consume alcohol until you're 21 years old because of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984.
Colleges and universities may have admissions criteria using scores from standardized tests like the SAT or ACT, reflecting a form of academic discrimination. Adulthood legally starts at 18 in the U.S., but markers of adulthood can culturally vary. Nations worldwide define adulthood and the associated rights differently, some more restrictive and some more liberal compared to the U.S.