At this point, it is important for me to step in and clarify the situation. In fact, the article that mel noted is not quite relevant to the topic at hand, because whether or not someone is a minor is really not that important a distinction, and is not the distinction that you are really discussing. Let me explain. . .
Quote by melmachine18Over the last year, one thing has been bothering me a lot. My mother keeps telling me that even after turning 18, I'm still legally a minor.
Your mother is using the wrong term, mel. At 18, you are no longer legally a minor, but most likely you're legally still a dependant, which means that you are still the responsibility of your parent(s).
Quote: The article states that after turning 18, you are able to leave the custody of ones who take care of you, such as from those who are no longer minors.
Having the theoretical ability to do something does not mean you should be able to do it or that it should be automatic. It is possible for you to shed your dependant status when you turn 18, but it is difficult to do so until you're at least age 25. You can only be considered an independant after you can demonstrate that you do not need to rely upon your parents for your livelihood. In the simplest of terms, it means that you can completely provide for yourself without the assistance of your parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
Quote: I don't like to be considered a minor because I feel that I'm able to handle myself more than I could do in the past. However, it seems that my parents still think I cannot make it on my own, even if I tried and vowed to do my very best. Thus, while I'm under their care, I still can't do many of the things I want to do, such as traveling by myself or even having them pay for my college and I could go where I want. What can I do? What do you think about this?
Forgive me for saying this, but mel, while you may be able to handle yourself better than you could in the past, you're not quite at the point where you're responsible or experienced enough to be able to deal with everything on your own. Do you have a job with which you can support yourself such that you can pay for all of your travels, go to the schools that you want to go to, and most fundamentally, have a place to live? Do you know how to deal with your taxes and income reporting? Do you know how to deal with insurance in case you get injured?
Believe me, mel, you really should be grateful for what you have right now. Right now, your mother is taking care of all the details you do not have time to deal with, details you might not even know about, for you so that you can focus on your studies and building the foundation on which you will be able to be truly independent in the future.
I hope this makes sense, and that it clarifies the situation for everyone else who has posted in this thread.
