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Times Newspaper in Education

Emancipation of minors



Free to be an adult

According to the Juvenile Law Center, "Emancipation is a legal process by which minors can attain legal adulthood before reaching the age at which they would normally be considered adults (this is called the “age of majority”). The rights granted to legally emancipated minors might include the ability to sign legally binding contracts, own property and keep one’s own earnings." In Florida, the age of majority is 18. If a child is emancipated from his or her parents, the parents are no longer required, by law, to provide food, clothing or shelter for that child.

This issue of emancipation for minors is a controversial issue. To prepare for this discussion, look for an article on a controversial issue in the St. Petersburg Times.  As you read the article, take notes on both sides of the argument presented. Share your thoughts about the issue you have found. Do you agree with the issue? Why or why not?

Now that you have analyzed the pros and cons of an article in the Times, let's go back to the issue of emancipation of juveniles. What are the pros and cons of this issue? What would the benefits of being emancipated be? What would the negatives of being emancipated be? Should minors be allowed to become emancipated from their parents? Why or why not?



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