During the past 2 years state laws lowering the age of majority to 18 and other statutes that confer some majority rights on minors have considerably altered the status of young people in our society. In 7 states, the age of majority has been lowered in an effort to relieve young people of the minority disabilities originally intended to protect them from corrupting influences, economic exploitation, hasty action in social relations, and improvident decisions on commercial matters. During the past years Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington have lowered the age of majority from 21 to 18; in all of these states 18 year olds may contract, own property, make wills, and in all but 1 of the states may marry without parental consent; in 3 states those 18 years of age were authorized to drink intoxicating beverages. This document presents the background of majority legislation, the recent changes in the past regarding the youth of the country. (Author/HS)