In legal terms regarding healthcare, who is considered a minor?

In legal terms, a minor is defined as an individual who is under the age of 18. This age threshold is widely accepted in many jurisdictions for determining legal adulthood, when individuals have the capacity to enter into contracts, make medical decisions, and be held accountable for their actions in the legal system. Being classified as a minor affects rights regarding consent for medical treatment, as parental or guardian consent is often required.

Other definitions, such as being under the age of 21 or unable to make decisions, do not align with the established legal framework for minors. The age of 21 is typically related to the legal drinking age in the United States, while the inability to make decisions can apply to individuals of any age, including those who are legally adults. Similarly, the completion of high school is not a legal standard for defining a minor. The legal status of a minor is primarily focused on age, making the definition of under the age of 18 the correct understanding in this context.