Age of majority

Age of majority From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search"Legal age" redirects here. For other uses, see Legal age (disambiguation).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 minors cease to legally be considered children and assume 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 vast majority of countries set majority at 18, but ages as low as 14 and as high as 21 also exist. 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. Age of majority should not be confused with the age of sexual consent, the driving age, the voting age, etc., which all may sometimes be higher or lower than majority. Although a person may attain the age of majority in a particular jurisdiction, he or she may still be subject to age-based restrictions regarding matters such as the right to vote or stand for elective office, act as a judge, and many others. {| class="toc" id="toc"

Contents
[hide] *1 Explanation
 * 2 Countries and subdivisions
 * 3 See also
 * 4 References
 * }

[edit] Explanation
Age of majority can be confused with a 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. Another example is the voting age which prior to the 1970s was 21 while the age of majority was 18 in most states. In the Republic of Ireland the age of majority is 18, but one must be over 21 years of age to stand for election to the Houses of the Oireachtas.[1 ] Also, in Portugal the age of majority is 18, but one must be at least 25 years of age to run for public office.[2 ] 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.[3 ]

[edit] Countries and subdivisions
The following list the age of majority in countries (or administrative divisions) as appropriate:

Age 13

South Pole

Verde

Aratic Circle

Snowland

Alanland

Pegnuin

New Michoacan, United States

Pennbrook, United States

Age 14 Age 16 Age 17 Age 18 Age 19 Age 20 Age 21
 * Armenia[4 ]
 * Georgia
 * Scotland [5 ]
 * El Salvador (for females)
 * Indonesia (or upon marriage)
 * Korea, North
 * Tajikistan
 * Gibraltar [6 ]
 * Afghanistan
 * Albania [7 ]
 * American Samoa, United States [8 ]
 * Andorra [9 ]
 * Austria
 * Argentina [10 ]
 * Angola
 * Australia[11 ]
 * Azerbaijan [12 ]
 * Bahamas[13 ]
 * Barbados[14 ]
 * Belarus[15 ]
 * Bhutan
 * Bolivia
 * Bosnia and Herzegovina <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15">[16 ] (16 if minor gets married or has a child)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16">[17 ]
 * Brazil (those aged 16 or older can be emancipated upon marriage, by being approved for civil service, by graduating in college or for being economically independent)
 * Brunei
 * Bulgaria
 * Burundi
 * Cambodia
 * Cameroon
 * Canada (provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-canada_17-0">[18 ]
 * Chile
 * China
 * Colombia
 * Costa Rica
 * Cote d'Ivoire
 * Croatia (16 if minor becomes a parent or marries – a judicial act is passed with prior hearing of minors parents and getting an opinion of the Social Care centre)
 * Cyprus
 * Czech Republic (16 if minor marries)
 * Denmark (incl. Faroe Islands and Greenland)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-18">[19 ]
 * Djibouti <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19">[20 ]
 * Dominican Republic
 * Dominica
 * Ecuador
 * El Salvador<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-20">[21 ]
 * France
 * Fiji
 * Finland
 * Gabon
 * Germany
 * Georgia
 * Ghana
 * Guatemala
 * Guernsey
 * Guinea
 * Guyana
 * Haiti
 * Hong Kong
 * Hungary
 * Iceland
 * India <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-21">[22 ]
 * Iran <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22">[23 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23">[24 ]
 * Ireland (or upon marriage)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24">[25 ]
 * Isle of Man <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25">[26 ]
 * Israel
 * Italy (those aged 16 or older can be emancipated upon marriage, by being approved for civil service, by graduating in college or for being economically independent)
 * Jamaica
 * Jersey <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-26">[27 ]
 * Kenya
 * Laos
 * Lebanon
 * Liechtenstein
 * Macau
 * Macedonia
 * Malawi<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27">[28 ]
 * Malaysia
 * Malta
 * Mauritania
 * Mauritius
 * Mexico
 * Moldova
 * Monaco
 * Mongolia
 * Montenegro
 * Nepal
 * Netherlands
 * Norway
 * Oman
 * Pakistan
 * Panama
 * Paraguay
 * Peru
 * Philippines<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28">[29 ]
 * Poland
 * Portugal
 * Qatar
 * Romania
 * Russia (minors are emancipated upon marriage or in case of working on a labour agreement or being engaged in business activities) <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29">[30 ]
 * Rwanda
 * Saint Kitts and Nevis
 * Saudi Arabia
 * Senegal
 * Serbia
 * Seychelles
 * Slovakia (16 if minor marries – a judicial act is passed with prior agreement of minor's parents)
 * Slovenia
 * South Africa
 * Spain
 * Sri Lanka<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-30">[31 ]
 * Sudan<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-31">[32 ]
 * Sweden
 * Switzerland <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-32">[33 ]
 * Syria
 * Tanzania
 * Trinidad and Tobago
 * Tunisia
 * Turkey
 * Ukraine
 * Uruguay
 * United Kingdom (with the exception of Scotland)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-33">[34 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-34">[35 ]
 * United States,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-usa_35-0">[36 ] (with these exceptions: Alabama<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-alabama_36-0">[37 ] if unmarried<sup class="Template-Fact" style="white-space: nowrap;">[citation needed], Nebraska<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-nebraska_37-0">[38 ] )
 * Venezuela
 * Vietnam
 * Yemen
 * Zimbabwe
 * Alabama, United States<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-alabama_36-1">[37 ]
 * Algeria <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-algeria_38-0">[39 ]
 * Botswana<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39">[40 ]
 * Canada (provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and Yukon)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-canada_17-1">[18 ]
 * Korea, South <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40">[41 ]
 * Nebraska, United States<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-nebraska_37-1">[38 ]
 * Japan; as of 2008<sup class="plainlinks noprint asof-tag update" style="display: none;">[update ], the age of majority in Japan was 20, but it had plans to lower it to 18.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-41">[42 ]
 * Taiwan
 * Thailand
 * Bahrain <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-42">[43 ]
 * Chad
 * Egypt <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-43">[44 ]
 * Honduras <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-44">[45 ]
 * Kuwait
 * Lesotho <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-45">[46 ]
 * Madagascar <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-46">[47 ]
 * Namibia <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-47">[48 ]
 * Puerto Rico
 * Singapore (Only for casino entry age, voting and marriage)
 * Swaziland <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-48">[49 ]
 * United Arab Emirates
 * Zambia<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-49">[50 ]

[edit] See also

 * Age of consent
 * Age of criminal responsibility
 * Emancipation of minors
 * Mature minor doctrine
 * Legal drinking age
 * Marriageable age
 * Voting age

[edit] References
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 * 1) ^ "At what age can I?". Dublin: Citizens Information Board (Bord um Fhaisnéis do Shaoránaigh / BFS). http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/reference/checklists/checklist_at_what_age_can_i.html. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
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 * 21) ^ "World Law Direct, Age of Majority list". Worldlawdirect.com. http://www.worldlawdirect.com/forum/law-wiki/27181-age-majority.html. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
 * 22) ^ Indian Majority Act
 * 23) ^ "Iran changes law for execution of juveniles". http://www.iranwpd.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=3066:iran-changes-law-for-execution-of-juveniles&Itemid=64. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
 * 24) ^ ghanoononline.ir
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 * 26) ^ http://www.tynwald.org.im/papers/hansards/2005-2006/kh07032006.pdf / Hansard, House of Keys, March 7, 2006, 699 K123
 * 27) ^ Age of Majority (Jersey) Law 1999
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 * 29) ^ Republic Act No. 6809, December 13, 1989, Chan Robles Law library
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 * 31) ^ "Age of Majority in Sri Lanka". Lawnet.lk. http://www.lawnet.lk/process.php?st=2001Y3V66C&hword=%27%27&path=5. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
 * 32) ^ "Human Rights Wtach, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan: End Juvenile Death Penalty". Hrw.org. 2010-10-08. http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/10/09/iran-saudi-arabia-sudan-end-juvenile-death-penalty. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
 * 33) ^ "Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation". Admin.ch. http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/101/a136.html. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
 * 34) ^ "Age of majority". Hmrc.gov.uk. 2011-06-28. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/dmgmanual/html/DMG46001/10_0092_DMG47063.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
 * 35) ^ "Age of Majority Act (Northern Ireland) 1969". Legislation.gov.uk. 2011-05-26. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1969/28/contents. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
 * 36) ^ "Age of Majority". Minors.uslegal.com. http://minors.uslegal.com/age-of-majority. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
 * 37) ^ a b "Section 26-1-1 — :: Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS. :: Title 26 — INFANTS AND INCOMPETENTS. :: 2006 Alabama Code :: Alabama Code :: US Codes and Statutes :: US Law :: Justia". Law.justia.com. 1975-07-22. http://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2006/19865/26-1-1.html. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
 * 38) ^ a b "Nebraska Age of Majority Law - Age of Majority - Minors". Minors.uslegal.com. http://minors.uslegal.com/age-of-majority/nebraska-age-of-majority-law/. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
 * 39) ^ {{cite web|url=http://www.dgsn.dz/fr/guide_pour_le_passager.php
 * 40) ^ Chigunta, Schnurr, James-Wilson and Torres (2005). "Being “Real” about Youth Entrepreneurship in Eastern and Southern Africa: Implications for Adults, Institutions and Sector Structures". International Labour Office. p. 3, Table 1.1. http://www.uneca.org/itca/youth/Documents/Being%20%E2%80%9CReal%E2%80%9D%20about%20Youth%20Entrepreneurship%20in%20Eastern%20and%20Southern%20Africa.pdf. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
 * 41) ^ :::: 법률지식정보시스템 ::::
 * 42) ^ "70% oppose lowering Japan's age of majority to 18: gov't poll+". Associated Press. September 13, 2008. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D935Q8RO0&show_article=1. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
 * 43) ^ https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/default.asp
 * 44) ^ https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/default.asp
 * 45) ^ https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/default.asp
 * 46) ^ https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/default.asp
 * 47) ^ Ordonnance 62-041 du 19 septembre 1962 relative aux dispositions générales de droit interne et de droit international privé
 * 48) ^ https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/default.asp
 * 49) ^ https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/default.asp
 * 50) ^ Chigunta, Schnurr, James-Wilson and Torres (2005). "Being “Real” about Youth Entrepreneurship in Eastern and Southern Africa: Implications for Adults, Institutions and Sector Structures". International Labour Office. p. 3, Table 1.1. http://www.uneca.org/itca/youth/Documents/Being%20%E2%80%9CReal%E2%80%9D%20about%20Youth%20Entrepreneurship%20in%20Eastern%20and%20Southern%20Africa.pdf. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
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