INFANTS
Persons who are under the age of legal majority—
at COMMON LAW, 21 years, now generally 18
years. According to the sense in which this term is
used, it may denote the age of the person, the con-
tractual disabilities that non-age entails, or his or
her status with regard to other powers or relations.
Modern laws respecting the rights, obliga-
tions, and incapacities of children are rooted in
ancient customs and practices. In 1765, SIR
WILLIAM BLACKSTONE, in his Commentaries on
the Laws of England, wrote that parents owe their
children three duties: maintenance, protection,
and education. Today, these three duties con-
tinue, and have been expanded by judicial and
