In our society, it is agreed that adulthood is reached at the age of 18. Until that age, young people need to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. But experts say that children should be able to practice decision-making earlier.
Kristi Paron, a lecturer at the University of Tartu, says that adult decisions must be reasonable and considered. But young people have stricter rules and are often tested.
Estonian youth can vote in local government councils from the age of 16. However, their compulsory education was recently extended until the age of 18.
Pirko Tõugu, a professor at the University of Tartu, says that decision-making is important for both small and large matters. For example, whether to drink coffee or tea, or whether to buy a new apartment.
Legally, children's rights are established by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to this, every child has the right to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Kristi Paron says that a child's decision-making ability grows gradually. 15–16-year-olds can make decisions similarly to adults.
Pirko Tõugu adds that a child's decision-making skills can be practiced in safe conditions. For example, whether to wear long johns in cold weather or whether to choose red or green long johns.
Paron believes that parents should gradually increase their child's decision-making rights. For example, a younger child can choose the color of their long johns, while an older child can choose an extracurricular activity.
Experts find that practicing decision-making helps young people become good citizens. For this, it is important that a child can make small decisions in everyday life.