Michaelstedman81
Premium Member
While I don't have anything personal against the Masons that are under 21, I do think that the age requirement needs to be 21 and not 18. This fraternity is a group for "men". Just because the law of the land pretty much labels a person as an adult at the age of 18, I don't think necessarily that is the case for all persons. An 18 year old is just barely out of high school and for the most part, not all of them are even taking care of things on their own yet. They are still basically late teenagers and have a few years to go of taking care of adult things and learning about the real world.
However, on the other hand I do think that 18 is a good age for someone to be eligible to become a Mason. I know that there are some very mature 18 year olds out there, and bigger than that, some 18 year olds have completed a lot of Masonic things that the older cats haven't done yet. There are also some guys that are over 21 that aren't as mature as some 18 year olds. I also have a son and can't wait for him to turn 18 and to join the fraternity if he so chooses...lol
But, overall and what is best for the fraternity, I think that the age requirement should be 21 to join the fraternity. Maybe go back to some of the old times where there were waiting times for each degree. Wait one year for the EA, then wait a whole year for the FC, and then another year for the MM. That way the young Mason can be monitored a bit and he can prove that he is a good candidate for the craft and will stick around and take Masonry seriously. But that is just my seven cents.
However, on the other hand I do think that 18 is a good age for someone to be eligible to become a Mason. I know that there are some very mature 18 year olds out there, and bigger than that, some 18 year olds have completed a lot of Masonic things that the older cats haven't done yet. There are also some guys that are over 21 that aren't as mature as some 18 year olds. I also have a son and can't wait for him to turn 18 and to join the fraternity if he so chooses...lol
But, overall and what is best for the fraternity, I think that the age requirement should be 21 to join the fraternity. Maybe go back to some of the old times where there were waiting times for each degree. Wait one year for the EA, then wait a whole year for the FC, and then another year for the MM. That way the young Mason can be monitored a bit and he can prove that he is a good candidate for the craft and will stick around and take Masonry seriously. But that is just my seven cents.