Parent Responsibility and the Law

The age of consent, also referred to as the age of majority, is the point in time when a child is recognized as a person legally independent from his or her parents. People below the age of majority are commonly referred to as minors, infants or children. In most states the age of majority is 18, but in a small number of states it is 19 or 20 years of age.

Legally a minor child remains under the control of his or her parent or guardian, and the legal parent has the authority to make a broad range of decisions regarding the minor's property and welfare without state interference, as long as those decisions are not in violation of child protection laws.

Limitations on minors
There are a number of limitations placed on minors with regard to:

• where they live,
• what property they own,
• whether they can enter into contracts,
• what hours they can work and what type of work they can perform,
• the right to get married,
• the ability to write a will, and
• the right to vote.

In some circumstances, judges may give minor children the rights of an adult. This is called emancipation and usually occurs only in limited circumstances.

Parents' responsibilities
The primary legal obligation of the parents of a minor is to provide the child with necessary support, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care and a safe home environment. If parents don't provide for a child, the state department of social services can institute a civil action with serious consequences, such as the removal of the child from the home. In addition, if the parent's conduct constitutes abuse or neglect, criminal charges may be filed.

Another parental responsibility is child support. Courts usually order the parent without physical custody of the child to pay child support to the parent with physical custody. A divorced parent who doesn't pay court ordered child support cannot only be sued for back support, but can also be put in jail for contempt of court.

Parents often have to make decisions for their children. This may include decisions on the proper medical treatment for a child and what type of education to provide the child.
In addition, in some circumstances, parents may be liable for a child's wrongful or criminal behavior.