I apologise to Americans for my ignorance....?

Question

but can you tell me what it means when someone says they were emancipated. Obviously freed, but of what? Is it like a coming of age or something? I live in Australia and we don't commonly use that word.
Thanks!

Additional Details: I didn't want to admit that I'm a TV fan of Judge Judy and often a young person says that they were emancipated in a particular year.

To Angel: I live in Brisbane Queensland

Answer 1

No need to apologize. Most Australians I've met are far from ignorant. And I doubt if many Americans know what the word means, let alone people in other countries.

It means being freed from slavery or being freed from custodial guardianship.

Child thespians often have this done so their money won't be spent like water by their exploitive parents. Child stars are often a modified form of slaves. The parents take all the money that they've worked so hard for and were forced to work for at such a young age.

When a person under the age of 18 becomes an emancipated minor he/she has all the rights of an adult, which in many cases includes human to human sexuality rights.

Answer 2

It's used in several different ways. If you're seeing it on a show like Judge Judy, it usually means that a teenager has been declared an independent adult and that their parents no longer have any responsibility for them. Sometimes, teenagers who don't get along with their parents and who would rather go to work than finish school (for whatever reasons) petition the court to be declared emancipated so that they can make adult decisions without being under the authority of their parent.

Another way "emancipated" is used in the United States is in referring to the freeing of the slaves during the Civil War. The Emancipation Proclomation, declared by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1963 made slavery illegal.

Answer 3

Two ways it's generally used in the USA, the slaves were "emancipated" by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. A young person can be emancipated from the jurisdiction of his/her parents at the discretion of the court. Some parents are abusive, etc., and some younger people are mature enough to handle their own lives; it is up to a judge to decide and there are guidelines.

Answer 4

Emancipation of minors is a legal mechanism by which a person below the age of majority ("adulthood") gains certain rights, generally identical to those of adults. An emancipated minor is free of any authority from his or her parent or other legal guardian. The extension of these rights, as well as the remaining prohibitions, vary according to the jurisdiction.

In most countries of the world, adolescents below the legal age of majority may be emancipated somehow: through marriage, pregnancy, economic self-sufficiency, educational degree/diploma, or military service.

In some cases, parental consent is needed to achieve the "emancipated" status. In some cases, court permission is necessary. Protocols vary by jurisdiction.

Answer 5

Emancipated in general means freed, like you said. It is often used in terms of the "Emancipation Proclamation", which was a declaration that ended slavery in the United States. So when a person is saying they are emancipated they may mean that they felt like they were in slavery and now feel free.

Answer 6

Laws in our country can be a bit overwhelming... Emancipation is when a minor (youth under 18 years of age) goes to the court and asks to be "freed" from their guardian or parent(s). Usually, the minor proves they can support themselves (legally) and are reliable enough to pay rent and expenses all on their own. Should the court agree, then they are "emancipated." This does not allow them any other fringe benefit until they reach the age for voting or purchasing liquor; just free to live on their own.

Answer 7

It is when a someone under the age of 18 wants to have to freedoms as an adult. They get emancipated so that they are no longer part of their biological family. It's like a divorce. Their parents are no longer responsible for them. Usually there are specific rules when it happens such as the person being emancipated has to have a job, have good grades in school and such as that.

Answer 8

Hiya vicky

i have to say that i am a big fan of judge judy as well. Shes one cool lady and not one to be missed arpund with.

I think i know what it means to be emancipated. Ok here it goes. to be emancipated is to treated like an adult without being in the care of parents. It basically means that if you are a kid and you are living with your parents and you dont like the way your parents are treating you you can divorce them. It menas that you can live life in the adult world. again i am not to sure about this. I have this to back my answer though i watched the simpsons ages back and bart handed homer and marge papers and in the papers he said he wasnt to be emancipated. Homer said bart does this mean you dont want to be a dude anymore so lisa had to expalin what this term means.

I am quite sure of this and i hope my answer helps you.

Answer 9

Usually a term used for someone under 18 years of age. They can be emancipated from their parents so they can make medical and legal decisions for themselves and it keeps their parents from taking any earned money. They are then able to live on their own. They must first prove that they can live on their own without government money. It is also used for someone who is over 18 and has a legal guardian. If they can prove to the court that they can make decisions on their own and provide for themselves, they can be emancipated. Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Usually you are the responsibility of your parents until you are 18 years old. When a person gets emancipated, they petition the court to release their parents of responsibility and instead be responsible for themselves.
It actually is not all that common of a thing here in the USA.
It is usually for people that are child stars on television and movies, or people that have an "unsatisfactory home situation", and they are close to being 18 anyways.