Tornado Alley (PROG)

[12yearplan]

Lol, up to no good again I see ;). It is an interesting question and my keyboard robot pal kind of dispels the ageist knock:

Q. When some adults comment on others stupidity or ignorant behavior they will often use "12 year olds". ie A 12 year old would have known better.. etc,.. . My question for you is why is it always 12 year olds and not say 10, 11 or 13 year olds?. Is there some historical precedent or alike?. Thanks..

ChatGPT

The expression "a 12-year-old would have known better" or similar variations isn't necessarily rooted in a historical precedent or a specific rationale related to the age of 12. Rather, it's more likely a figure of speech used to imply that the behavior in question is so basic or obvious that even a child who is slightly older, such as a 12-year-old, would understand it.

The choice of age 12 might be somewhat arbitrary. It's likely used because it represents a stage in childhood where individuals are expected to have gained some level of maturity and understanding compared to younger children. However, it's not so old that one would expect sophisticated judgment or experience. Thus, saying "a 12-year-old would have known better" is a way of emphasizing the simplicity or obviousness of the situation, rather than referencing a specific historical or developmental milestone associated with that age.