age of discretion
Responsible decision-making milestone
The age of discretion is the point at which a person is considered mature enough to make certain decisions independently.
In Catholic canon law, it's traditionally around seven years old—when a child can distinguish right from wrong and receive communion.
In legal contexts, it varies by jurisdiction and purpose: She had reached the age of discretion and could choose which parent to live with.
Change from one state
- pubertySexual development stage
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- independenceFreedom from external control
- formative yearsChildhood and adolescence
awakening · threshold · turning point · bar mitzvah · bat mitzvah · confirmation · quinceañera · youth
Good judgment from experience
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- understandingMental comprehension of something
insight · self-awareness · reasoning · decision-making · foresight · sagacity · perception · cognition
Voluntary agreement given
- capacityMaximum amount containable
- minorScale with lowered third
- emancipationRelease from legal bondage
- competenceAdequate ability to function
guardianship · parental consent · juvenile · statutory · autonomy · informed consent · legal responsibility · civil rights
transition
Change from one state
- pubertySexual development stage
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- independenceFreedom from external control
formative years · awakening · threshold · turning point · bar mitzvah · bat mitzvah · confirmation · quinceañera · youth · teenager
wisdom
Good judgment from experience
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
understanding · insight · self-awareness · reasoning · decision-making · foresight · sagacity · perception · cognition · conscience
consent
Voluntary agreement given
- capacityMaximum amount containable
- minorScale with lowered third
- emancipationRelease from legal bondage
competence · guardianship · parental consent · juvenile · statutory · autonomy · informed consent · legal responsibility · civil rights · accountability
age of discretioninfancy
Earliest period of life
early childhood · tender years · immaturity · nonage · minority
age, ages, aged, aging, ageing, ageless, ageism, of, discretion