Coming of age
In the United States, teenagers are allowed to drive at 16 in all states except New Jersey, which requires drivers to be 17 and older, and sometimes receive the responsibility of owning their own car. Teenagers may drive at age 15 in Idaho and Montana. At 16, teenagers are also old enough to donate blood and work in most establishments. At 18 one is legally considered an adult and can vote and join the military. The legal age for purchasing and consuming alcohol and recreational marijuana, the latter of which is only legal in the District of Columbia, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Alaska, is 21. The legal age for purchasing and consuming tobacco products is 18 in most states; 19 in Alabama, Alaska and Utah; and 21 in California, New Jersey, Oregon, Hawaii and Maine. Multiple localities have also raised the minimum purchase age independent of state laws.
Ages of consent in the United States
Texas age of consent is 17 years in regards to sexual activity alone. The age of consent is gender neutral and applies the same to both heterosexual and homosexual conduct and regardless of age difference. Like many other states, Texas does not enforce harsh penalties for individuals who have sex with someone under 17 as long as that person is not more than 3 years older than the minor.
If the victim is under the age of 17 (subject to a three-year close-in-age exception), then underage sexual conduct can also be prosecuted (without requiring proof of inducement) under section 21.11 of title 5. Sex with a child under the age of 14 is considered aggravated sexual assault Section 22.021(a.2.B).