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Age of majority

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The age of majority is the threshold of adulthood as it is conceptualized (and recognized or declared) in law. It is the chronological moment when a minor ceases to legally be considered a child and assumes control over their persons, actions, and decisions, thereby terminating the legal control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardian over and for them. The word majority here refers to having greater years and being of full age; it is opposed to minority, the state of being a minor. The law in a given jurisdiction may never actually use the term "age of majority" and the term thereby refers to a collection of laws bestowing the status of adulthood. The age of majority is a legally fixed age, concept, or statutory principle, which may differ depending on the jurisdiction, and may not necessarily correspond to actual mental or physical maturity of an individual.

In practical terms, there are certain specific actions which a person who attains the age of majority is permitted to take, which they could not do before. These may include entering into a binding contract, buying stocks, voting, buying and/or consuming alcoholic beverages, driving motor vehicles on public roads, and marrying without obtaining consent of others. The ages at which these various rights or powers may be exercised vary as between the various rights and as between different jurisdictions. For example, the ages at which a person may obtain a license to drive a car or consume alcoholic beverages vary considerably between and also within jurisdictions.

Although a person may attain the age of majority in a particular jurisdiction, he or she may still be subject to age-based restrictions, such as the right to stand for elective office, act as a judge, and many other matters.

Explanation

Age of majority is frequently confused with similar concept, the age of license,[citation needed] which also pertains to the threshold of adulthood but in a much broader and more abstract way. As a legal term of art, "license" means "permission", and it can implicate a legally enforceable right or privilege. Thus, an age of license is an age at which one has legal permission from government to do something. The age of maturity, on the other hand, is legal recognition that one has grown into an adult.

For example, in any jurisdiction, the age at which an individual is allowed to exercise the franchise (vote), leave school without taking a diploma, enter into legally binding contracts (other than for necessaries, to which no age of license applies), operate a motor vehicle, purchase and consume alcoholic beverages, and so on – these are all ages of license, at which the law permits an individual to perform certain acts and exercise certain rights, with or without any restrictions.

Age of majority pertains solely to the acquisition of control over one's person, decisions and actions, and the correlative termination of the legal authority and responsibility of the parents (or guardian(s), in lieu of parents) over the child’s persons and affairs generally.

Many ages of license are correlated to the age of majority, but they are nonetheless legally distinct concepts. One need not have attained the age of majority to have permission to exercise certain rights and responsibilities. Some ages of license are actually higher than the age of majority. For example, the age of license to purchase alcoholic beverages is 21 in all U.S. states. Also, the age of majority in the Republic of Ireland is 18, but one must be over 21 years of age to stand for election to the Houses of the Oireachtas.[1] A child who is legally emancipated by a court of competent jurisdiction automatically attains to his or her maturity upon the signing of the court order. This is distinct from the legal process by which a child might be taken into foster care and/or made a ward of the court. Foster care and court wardship do not confer maturity upon the child so separated from his or her parents (or guardians). Only emancipation confers the status of maturity before a person has actually reached the age of majority.

Almost all jurisdictions automatically confer emancipation (and with it, the status of majority) upon otherwise minor individuals who are married. Some do likewise for minors who are on active duty in the armed forces.[2] The legal limit for anyone to purchase and have full rights to that item is 14. This applies to most states in the U.S., except for three: New York, Maryland, Delaware.

Countries and subdivisions

The following list the age of majority in countries (or administrative divisions) as appropriate:

Age 14

Age 15

Age 16

Age 17

Age 18

Age 19

Age 20

Age 21

References

  1. ^ "At what age can I?". Dublin: Citizens Information Board. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2010. [dead link]
  2. ^ Statutory and Judicial Emancipation of Minors in the United States, 2001-2002 analysis by law students of Northeastern University
  3. ^ Interpol report on Albanian law
  4. ^ Constitution of the Republic of Cuba 1992
  5. ^ Culture of Cuba - traditional, history, people, clothing, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, social, marriage, men, life, population, religion, rituals, Cultural name
  6. ^ Interpol report on Kyrgyzstan
  7. ^ Interpol report on Uzbekistan law
  8. ^ Interpol report on Austria
  9. ^ Interpol report on Andorra law
  10. ^ Telam: Política - El Senado aprobó la ley de la mayoría de edad a los 18 años
  11. ^ Interpol report on Armenia
  12. ^ "The Age of Majority". Website of the Tangled Moon Coven. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  13. ^ Interpol report on Azerbaijan
  14. ^ Interpol report on Bahamas
  15. ^ Interpol report on Barbados
  16. ^ Interpol report on Belarus
  17. ^ Interpol report on Bosnia and Herzegovina
  18. ^ a b Susan Munroe. "Age of majority". About.com. Retrieved 2009-09-23. The age of majority in Canada is determined by each province and territory in Canada.
  19. ^ Interpol report on Denmark
  20. ^ Interpol report on Djibouti (in French)
  21. ^ World Law Direct, Age of Majority list
  22. ^ Indian Majority Act
  23. ^ "Age of Majority Act, 1985". Irish Statute Book. Oireachtas. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
  24. ^ Republic Act No. 6809, December 13, 1989, Chan Robles Law library
  25. ^ The Citizens (Natural Persons)
  26. ^ Age of Majority in Sri Lanka
  27. ^ a b Mississippi Age of Majority Law - Age of Majority - Minors
  28. ^ Age of Majority Act 1970
  29. ^ Interpol report on Bahrain
  30. ^ Ordonnance 62-041 du 19 septembre 1962 relative aux dispositions générales de droit interne et de droit international privé

See also

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