Definition of mutism. : the condition of being unable to speak whether from physical, functional, or psychological cause.
Adolescents rushing to become adult have pushed the government reconsider the age of responsibility. Therefore, 21 is the age of responsibility taking account: decision making, impulse control and maturity. To begin with, the age of responsibility is defined by a persons decision making. Poor decisions at times lead teenagers to more dangerous/complicated situations.
Children can be held criminally responsible from the age of 8. [Juvenile Act, Sections 2 and 3. See also Cipriani, D. (2009), Childrenâs Rights and the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility: A Global Perspective, Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Limited]