Volwassene

Volwassene is a Dutch noun meaning an adult person, specifically someone who has reached the age of majority and is legally regarded as capable of making independent decisions. The exact age of majority varies by country and legal system; in many places it is 18 years. A volwassene is distinguished from a minderjarige (minor).

In legal terms, becoming a volwassene typically entails the ability to enter into contracts, vote in elections, marry without parental consent (where allowed), and be fully responsible for one’s actions. Rights and obligations such as taxation, consent to medical treatment, and liability for debts may be tied to this status. The designation is used in civil, administrative, and everyday language to mark a shift in autonomy and accountability.

Societal and developmental perspectives note that adulthood encompasses more than age. Psychologically, maturation of cognitive and emotional skills continues into the mid-20s, and social expectations—employment, independent living, and self-sufficiency—play a key role in the experience of being a volwassene. The term remains common in Dutch, Flemish, and other Dutch-language contexts to describe adults in contrast with minors.