Child

International children in traditional clothing at Liberty Weekend

A child (pl. children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty,[1][2] or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty.[3] It may also refer to an unborn human being.[4][5] The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority.[1] Children generally have fewer rights and responsibilities than adults. They are generally classed as unable to make serious decisions.

Child may also describe a relationship with a parent (such as sons and daughters of any age)[6] or, metaphorically, an authority figure, or signify group membership in a clan, tribe, or religion; it can also signify being strongly affected by a specific time, place, or circumstance, as in "a child of nature" or "a child of the Sixties."[7]

  1. ^ a b "Child". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  2. ^ O'Toole MT (2013). Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions. St. Louis MO: Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 345. ISBN 978-0-323-07403-2. OCLC 800721165. Wikidata Q19573070.
  3. ^ Rathus SA (2013). Childhood and Adolescence: Voyages in Development. Cengage Learning. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-285-67759-0.
  4. ^ "Child". OED.com. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Child". Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  6. ^ "For example, the US Social Security department specifically defines an adult child as being over 18". Ssa.gov. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  7. ^ "American Heritage Dictionary". 7 December 2007. Archived from the original on 29 December 2007.