Regarding treatment consent, which term describes minors who can provide understanding and approval?

Mature minors refers to individuals under the age of majority who possess the capacity to understand the nature and consequences of medical treatment. This legal doctrine recognizes that certain minors, depending on their age, maturity, and the specific circumstances, can provide informed consent for their own medical treatment.

This concept acknowledges that some adolescents have developed sufficient cognitive and emotional maturity to make decisions about their healthcare, thereby allowing them to consent to medical procedures without needing parental approval. This legal recognition supports autonomy and acknowledges that mature minors may have valid perspectives on their health and wellbeing.

The other terms do not accurately reflect this legal capability. For example, dependent minors typically refer to those minors who cannot make their own decisions and rely on guardians for consent. Implied minors is not a recognized legal term related to consent. Legal minors simply describes individuals under the age of majority without indicating their ability to provide consent based on maturity.