[chrisandchris]

IMHO, it is all about right and duties.

So you're allowed to vote, but you don't need to pay your taxes. You're still considered a child regarding justice law, but considered adult regarding voting?

So basically you're not allowed to camp somewhere without the consent of your parents but you're "suddenly old enough" to judge about some laws?

I think the consensus is missing if voting is permitted by 16, but everything else stays the same.

[_Algernon_]

If you have sufficient income or wealth at 16 you do have to pay taxes. It just happens that most 16 year olds don't have sufficient wealth or income to pay taxes. There is very little difference in terms of duties of a 16 year old and an unemployed adult who does get to vote.