When does a man become a man? Biologically, I guess it's when he can reproduce - a point in development that varies from person to person. As does when he can grow a beard. But there are other milestones: At 16, he is usually eligible to apply for a driver's license (14 years three months for South Dakota, with restrictions; 17 if in New Jersey, and variations across the spectrum in the US). The age of 18 is a good one. He can then vote! Oh, and also sign up to defend his country and maybe die in its service (17 if given signed permission by a parent or guardian, though still not able to vote quite yet.) In September 2008, 12.2% of the Coast Guard, 14.4% of the Air Force, 18.3% of the Army, 18.6% of the Navy and a whopping 36.9% of the Marine Corps were between the ages of 18 and 21, with an average across all the services of 86% of them being male. It's a lot of responsibility for those so young. Why did I pick the range 18-21? Old enough to vote and fight... ...but this man we're profiling can't drink until he's 21. Or can he? The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 (23 U.S.C. § 158), only prohibits

the purchase or public possession in such State of any alcoholic beverage by a person who is less than twenty-one years of age

(or the Feds withhold highway funds for states that don't comply). But notice the wording! "Purchase or public possession". The Code section is called "National Drinking Age", but drinking was not prohibited! According to Wiki, 15 states and D.C. ban underage consumption, but 17 don't at all, and the remaining 18 have some conditions that allow it. I hope my 20 year old "minor" who can go die for his country isn't reading this! (Wiki has a summary if you want to know the laws in your state.) Note, said 20 year old already knows the law in Texas, which by the way allows that a minor can drink, not purchase, alcohol when in the physical presence of an adult parent, legal guardian or spouse - "adult" apparently meaning over 21. The car insurance companies think he's a man at 25, because that's when he's responsible enough to get out of the actuarial grouping of high risk and catch a break on those premiums. But the real kicker that floored me this past year was one few know about. I obviously didn't. It's the age of 24. My son, who owns his own house and hasn't been a "dependent" on my tax return for a couple of years was applying online last year for financial aid through FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). He called me and asked for my income information. My answer? "You don't need that." But apparently he did. The site wouldn't let him proceed without it. I checked. Twice. Then I checked the law. He was still dependent as far as federal financial aid was concerned. And up the proverbial creek without that stirring stick, because while he qualified hand over fist on his own (which he has since July 2009), factor in my income and he gets diddly. He turned 24 yesterday (an auspicious day...shares a birth date with Darwin and Lincoln among so many others) thus now is a man. By financial aid standards. And drinking age. And militarily...voting...driving...biologically. (And the dude's been growing a full beard since he was 15.) Happy Birthday, son. Welcome to manhood. Again.