Age of majority From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
The age of majority is the threshold of adulthood as it is
conceptualized in law. It is the chronological moment when
children legally assume majority control over their persons and
their actions and decisions, thereby terminating the legal
control and legal responsibilities of their parents over and for
them. 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, 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 jurisdict