2.Background information Important birthdays in the West At 21,the age of majority(now lowered to 18 in many countries),one becomes an adult.Usually the family has a big party for the new adult and a major present-an expensive watch or a car-is given him or her.The present,of course,varies from family to family. 2. Background information Important birthdays in the West At 21, the age of majority (now lowered to 18 in many countries), one becomes an adult. Usually the family has a big party for the new adult and a major present—an expensive watch or a car—is given him or her. The present, of course, varies from family to family