meresoojenemine

Mereseoone mine is a practice in Estonia that dates back to the 19th century. The practice involves excluding children from taking part in important family decisions and excluding them from inheritance. The practice was traditionally associated with peasant communities in Estonia and Latvia. Under the mareseoenine rule, children were not considered adult members of the family until they reached the age of majority, typically around 25 years.

Children who were considered too young to be treated as adults were denied the right to participate in decision-making processes within the family. This could include important decisions such as buying and selling land, signing contracts, and other significant life choices. The practice was also associated with social hierarchy, with children of lower-ranking family members often being denied more privileges than their higher-ranking peers.

Legal reform in 1922 abolished the practice of mereseoone mine in Estonia, bringing an end to its existence as a recognized social norm. The practice has since largely disappeared in modern Estonian society, and is no longer seen as a part of traditional Estonian culture. However, the concept remains a significant part of Estonia's cultural heritage, highlighting the country's unique historical and social developments. Modern Estonian law now grants equal rights to all citizens regardless of age, ensuring that children's rights and involvement in important family decisions are protected and respected.