What legal doctrine allows minors to void contracts they enter into?

The doctrine that allows minors to void contracts they enter into is known as the doctrine of Infancy. This legal principle is grounded in the understanding that individuals below a certain age, typically 18 in most jurisdictions, lack the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts. The rationale behind this doctrine is to protect minors from their own lack of judgment and experience. It acknowledges that young individuals may not fully comprehend the implications and responsibilities associated with contractual agreements, hence allowing them to disaffirm these contracts to prevent exploitation.

In practice, if a minor decides to void a contract, they must do so while still within the age defined by the doctrine, or shortly thereafter. This ability to disaffirm aims to safeguard minors from being held to agreements that they may have entered into without a full understanding of their significance. Contracts that involve "necessities," such as food, clothing, and shelter, are exceptions where minors may not have the right to disaffirm, but the overarching rule remains that they can void most contracts due to the Infancy doctrine.