Emancipation Child Parents Minors Actors Eslpod Work Money

The word "emancipation" means setting someone free and is often used to talk about the end of "slavery" (a system in which people are bought and sold, and required to work without receiving payment). But we also use the term in the "emancipation of minors," which is the process by which a "minor" (a child; someone under the age of 18) legally becomes independent and "beyond" (not affected by) the control of his or her parents. At the same time, the parents of an "emancipated minor" no longer have any "legal responsibilities" (legal requirements to care for someone) for the child.

In most states, a child who wants to be emancipated must "file" (submit) a "petition" (an official request) "demonstrating" (showing; proving) why the emancipation is in his or her "best interest" (will help the child and presents the best possible solution to a problem). The minors often have to demonstrate that they are "financially self-sufficient" (have enough money to pay for the things they need, without needing their parents' money).

Emancipation sometimes happens when there is "child abuse" (repeated, damaging behavior and mistreatment of a child). In other cases there isn't abuse, but the child believes that the parents' rules are unfair and "harmful" (causing damage).

Some of the best-known cases of emancipation of minors are "celebrities" (famous people, especially actors and musicians). Child actors sometimes "seek" (look for; try to get) emancipation if they believe their parents are "stealing" (taking money without permission) from them. And other child actors seek emancipation so that "child labor laws" (laws that limit how many hours children may work) won't apply to them, so that they can work more hours.