njrick:
From a narrative standpoint, that's the worst. Even if you're NOT trying to establish that a character is an adult, there needs to be a better way of pegging his/her age.
Easily done.
"Miss Jones, I'll need you to bend over and grab your ankles."
An indignant smirk formed on Cindy's face. She couldn't get out of a detention, but her paddling days were over. "I'm afraid you can't spank me anymore, Mrs. Stapleton. I turned 18 over the weekend, and I'm an adult now."
"And the state law clearly states that while in attendance at school, we still act
in loco parentis...in place of your parents...until you are 20 or until you graduate. Of course, as an adult, you're free to withdraw from school, but that would be a pity with you so close to graduation. But I'm afraid it's either that, or bend over for a seat-warming."