Alaikäisen

Alaikäinen is a term used in Finnish law to refer to a person who has not yet reached the age of majority, which is 18 years. The concept covers children and adolescents who are under adult legal status and who are entitled to special protections and support.

In practical terms, an alaikäinen is typically under guardianship by parents or other approved guardians. This status affects decisions about medical treatment, school arrangements, and many everyday contracts or legal transactions, which generally require parental consent or supervision. Finland maintains comprehensive child welfare protections to ensure the well-being and safety of minors, including reporting obligations for suspected abuse or neglect.

The rights and responsibilities of alaikäiset are shaped by age. While education is compulsory in Finland until around age 16, many other civil and legal activities require consent from a parent or guardian unless explicitly allowed by law. Rights such as voting, standing for public office, or entering into binding legal agreements independently do not apply to minors.

Criminal liability in Finland also reflects the alaikäinen status. Generally, individuals under 18 cannot be treated as adults in criminal matters. Criminal liability begins at age 15, but those aged 15 to 17 fall under a youth justice framework with measures focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Younger children are typically handled through child welfare and preventive services rather than the criminal system.

Overall, alaikäinen denotes a protected and supervised stage of life designed to balance growing autonomy with safeguards for health, safety, and development.