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.
This also comes in the wake of revelations that a total of 154 children aged 12 and under were arrested for sex crimes, including rape and sexual assault. At present, the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10, which means there is nothing police can do.