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Legal Definitions - Minority
Definition of Minority
The term "Minority" is not an acronym.
In a legal context, "Minority" typically refers to one of two distinct concepts:
- A group of people that constitutes less than half of the total population and often experiences social, economic, or political disadvantage, discrimination, or underrepresentation. This concept is fundamental to civil rights law and affirmative action, protecting groups based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
- A person who has not yet reached the age of legal majority, typically 18 years old. Such individuals are often referred to as "minors" and have limited legal capacity to enter contracts, make certain medical decisions, or vote, with specific laws designed to protect their interests.
Here are some examples illustrating these meanings:
Example 1 (Demographic Group - Civil Rights): A company consistently promotes employees from the dominant demographic group, while equally qualified employees from a specific ethnic minority group are repeatedly overlooked for advancement opportunities. This situation could lead to a discrimination claim under civil rights laws, which aim to protect minority groups from unfair treatment in employment based on their ethnicity.
Example 2 (Demographic Group - Representation): A city council is debating a new zoning ordinance, and community advocates highlight that the proposed plan disproportionately affects residents of a low-income religious minority neighborhood. They argue that the voices and needs of this minority group have not been adequately considered in the planning process, potentially leading to a challenge based on equitable representation.
Example 3 (Age - Legal Capacity): A 16-year-old attempts to sign a lease agreement for an apartment without a parent or guardian's co-signature. Legally, because the individual is still a minority (a minor), the contract may be voidable at their discretion, as they are generally considered to lack the full legal capacity to enter into binding agreements until they reach the age of majority.
Simple Definition
Legally, "minority" has two primary meanings. It can refer to a group protected by civil rights and affirmative action laws, often based on race or ethnicity. Alternatively, it denotes an individual who is a "minor," meaning they are below the age of legal majority.
