Going on 16 As I sat, flat out from my busy day of doing nothing but looking at the TV, watching the beautiful American ‘sweet’ sixteen year olds, ‘swanning’ in to a magnificent room full of fire breathers, dancers and ‘famous’ artists on a elephant, I was taken back to my ever so recent 16th birthday party. In my case I ‘swagged’ into the back room of the local pub in my bright pink tights, through a bar full of elderly men and women on the town; my party, although much appreciated, was an ant in comparison! This did lead me to think about the ‘big’ 16th and whether or not it is actually that big?
Some may say yes, however the 16th has never traditionally been treated as a big deal in the UK, just the 18th. When you actually look at the list of things you can do at 16, although different websites slightly disagree, the list is quite impressive. Here is the best I can find from Cambridgeshire County Council : When you are 16 you are allowed to: • Get married or register a civil partnership with consent • Drive a moped or invalid carriage • You can consent to sexual activity with others aged 16 and over • Drink wine/beer with a meal if accompanied by someone over 18 • Get a National Insurance number • Join a trade union • Work full-time if you have left school • Be paid national minimum wage for 16/17 year olds • Join the Armed Forces with parental consent • Change name by deed poll • Leave home with parental consent • In certain circumstances you must pay for prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests • Choose a GP • Consent to medical treatment • Buy premium bonds • Pilot a glider • Buy a lottery ticket • Register as a blood donor, but you won't be called to give blood until you're 17 • Apply for a passport without parental consent In short you don’t need to wait until you are 18 to have fun....Happy sixteenth to everyone! See you soon on my hand gliding moped.
