enfants

Enfants is the French word for children, the plural form of enfant; the singular is enfant. The term derives from Old French enfant, from Latin infantus, related to the English word infant. In everyday use, it denotes human beings from birth through adolescence and typically reflects a stage of dependence on adults.

Legal definitions of childhood vary by jurisdiction, but many countries consider individuals under 18 to be children or minors. Developmentally, childhood encompasses infancy, toddlerhood, early and middle childhood, and adolescence. Growth includes physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes, with milestones such as language development, motor skills, learning to read, and social participation.

Rights and protection: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms rights to survival, development, protection, and participation. Education is widely regarded as a core right; health care and protection from exploitation, abuse, and neglect are also emphasized. Jurisdictions legislate child welfare, guardianship, and age-related restrictions on work; the age of majority marks legal adulthood.

In francophone contexts, enfants is used similarly to children in English, and the term appears in literature and common expressions such as enfant terrible and enfant prodige. The concept and welfare of children vary across societies, reflecting differences in family structures, culture, and economics.