Under long-established law, minors generally have the power to avoid liability for their contracts. They seldom exercise this power, even though they make annual purchases measured in the billions of dollars. What are some possible explanations for this seemingly strange state of affairs?

Answer 1

a . Minors often work for pay and/or receive money allowances from parents and are free to spend their funds as they please.
b. Minors usually want what they buy and don't want to relinquish possession, which is what they'd have to do to disaffirm their contracts.
c. Minors are seldom exploited or victimized by adults (perhaps in part because the adults are aware of the availability of the law in the case of abuse!)
d. Most purchases are of items which are quickly consumed, or worn out and discarded (e.g., fast food, cosmetics, movies, faddish clothing). These things are generally sold at low prices and so even if a claim for a refund might be made, it hardly justifies the required effort.
e. To make contracts and to honor the contracts is often regarded as a sign of coveted maturity and responsibility by minors.
f. Often, and properly, both minors and their parents believe that they have an ethical or moral obligation to honor contracts freely entered by the minors.
g. Most minors, and probably most parents, are not aware of the special legal protection available for minors in contracting.
h. Parents often endorse or approve major purchases (e.g., of motor vehicles or musical instruments) made by their minor children, frequently helping to finance them and/or guaranteeing payment.