Document: 421 U.S. 7 95 S.Ct. 1373 43 L.Ed.2d 688 Thelma B. STANTON, Appellant,v.James Lawrence Jr. No. 73—1461. Argued Feb. 19, 1975. Decided April 15, Syllabus When appellant wife and appellee husband were divorced in Utah 1960, the decree, incorporating parties' stipulation, ordered to make monthly payments for support of children, a daughter, then age seven, son, five. Subsequently, when daughter became 18, discontinued her support, divorce court, pursuant statute which provides that period minority males extends 21 females denied appellant's motion after she attained 18. On appeal Supreme Court affirmed, rejecting contention, inter alia, violated Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment. Held: 1. The issue is not rendered moot by fact are now both over 21, since if obligated decree between ages 18 there an amount past due owing. Nor does lack standing because group affected statute; another obligates 21. Pp. 11-12. 2. In context child classification effectuated challenged denies equal protection laws, as guaranteed Reed v. Reed, 404 71, 92 251, 30 225. Notwithstanding 'old notions' cited state court it man's primary responsibility provide home, salutary him have education training before he assumes responsibility, tend mature marry earlier than males, nothing rational statutory distinction females, which, related results appellee's liability only but son thus imposing 'criteria wholly unrelated objective statute.' 13-17. 2d 315, 517 P.2d 1010, reversed remanded. Bryce E. Roe, Salt Lake City, Utah, appellant. J. Dennis Frederick, appellee. Mr. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court. 1 This case presents whether specifying greater majority specifies denies, parent's obligation his laws § 2 * Appellant Stanton James Stanton, Jr., married at Elko, Nev., February 1951. At suit appellant, they on November 29, 1960. They Sherri Lyn, born 1953, Rick Arlund, January 1955. 12, 1971, 1973. 3 During proceedings District County, parties entered into stipulation property, alimony. awarded custody children their mother incorporated provisions its findings conclusions divorce. Specifically alimony provided: 4 'Defendant pay plaintiff sum $300.00 per month alimony, $100.00 each be paid or 1st day through office County Clerk.' App. 6. 5 thereafter remarried; modified relieve from payment further also later remarried. 6 support. May 1973 moved entry judgment favor against for, among other things, periods respectively years. concluded 'became years age, under (s) 15—2—1 Code Annotated thereby majority. Defendant maintenance Lyn date.' 23. An order denying was accordingly. Id., 24—25. appealed Utah. She contended, Ann. (1953)** effect invidiously discriminatory serves deny process violation Amendment corresponding Constitution, namely, Art. I, §§ 24, IV, this issue, affirmed. 1010 (1974). acknowledged: 'There no doubt questioned treats men women differently,' said people may treated differently 'so long reasonable basis classification, purposes act, applies equally uniformly all persons within class.' 318, P.2d, 1012. referred what called some notions,' 'that generally home essentials,' ibid.; 'it thing get good and/or undertakes those responsibilities,' id., 319, 1012; 'girls physically, emotionally mentally boys'; 'they earlier,' ibid. It concluded: 8 '(I)t our upon we would justified concluding so beyond conflict with constitutional should stricken down invalid.' 1013. 9 If such change desirable, said, matter commend itself attention legislature.' 320, thus, held entitled 'during minority' unless otherwise trial court. Ibid., 1014. 10 We noted probable jurisdiction. 419 893, 170, 42 137 II 11 initially suggests that, any event, lacks standing. These arguments reject them. 12 A. mootness suggestion based propositions neither possesses rights 'can outcome proceeding.' Brief Appellee 9. time us jurisdictional statement, suggested involved nonjusticiable political question. Appellee's Motion Dismiss 6—7. Each approach, course, overlooks during appellee, Sherri's period, has been fulfilled, owing then, plainly continuing live controversy. nor nonjusticiable. 13 therefore personal stake resolution issue. signed payments, took law waived, estopped asserting, right 14 satisfied makes difference interest regarded fiduciary. described money 'compensation spouse minor children.' Anderson Anderson, 110 300, 306, 172 132, 135 (1946). And appears supplying spouse's child's. Larsen Larsen, 224, 228, 300 596, 598 (1956). See Baggs 528 141, 143 (Utah 1974). therefore, clearly 'personal controversy assure concrete adverseness sharpens presentation issues largely depends illumination difficult questions.' Baker Carr, 369 186, 204, 82 691, 703, 663 (1962); Flast Cohen, 392 83, 102, 88 1942, 20 947 (1968). see directed question reached smacks waiver. addition, Uniform Civil Liability Support Act 1957. Laws 1957, c. 110, codified 78—45—1 78—45—13 (Supp.1973). Section 78—45—4 specifically provides: 'Every woman shall child.' addition mandate contained 78—45—3: man 'Child' defined mean 'a twenty-one years.' 78—45—2(4). 78—45—12 states: 'The herein created substitution (of) rights.' 15 herself had legal until That obligation, however, obviously derogation might decree. Her controversy, distinct significant one assures 'concrete adverseness' proper part. III 16 turn merits. argues Utah's prescription establishing different protection; solely sex affects child's 'fundamental right' fed, clothed, sheltered parents; compelling supports classification; can withstand judicial scrutiny, 'close' otherwise, relationship ascertainable legislative objective. contends test rationality endures attack protection. 17 find unnecessary decide inherently suspect. Weinberger Wiesenfeld, 420 636, 1225, 514 (1975); Schlesinger Ballard, 498, 572, 610 Geduldig Aiello, 417 484, 94 2485, 41 256 (1974); Kahn Shevin, 416 351, 1734, 40 189 Frontiero Richardson, 411 677, 93 1764, 36 583 (1973); 225 (1971). feel, controlling here. presented challenge provision Idaho probate code gave preference same entitlement applied appointment administrator decedent's estate. No regard applicants' respective individual qualifications. upholding challenge, reasoned accorded treatment 'thus establishes subject scrutiny Clause.' 75, S.Ct., 253. Clause, States 'the power legislate placed classes criteria 75—76, 254. 'A 'must reasonable, arbitrary, must rest ground having fair substantial relation object legislation, similarly circumstanced alike.' Royster Guano Co. Virginia, 253 412, 415, 560, 561, 64 L.Ed. 989 (1920).' U.S., 76, enough save objectives elimination area possible family hearing comparative merits petitioning relatives. 19 here, warrants drawn statute. conclude not. true, observed argued responsibility; girls boys; males. last mentioned factor, loses, whatever weight have, states 'all minors obtain marriage'; minority, goes it, abruptly lost marriage person either tender occurs. referred, perceive imposes A child, male female, still child. longer female destined rearing family, marketplace world ideas. Taylor Louisiana, 522, 535 n. 17, 692, 700, 690 (1975). Women's activities responsibilities increasing expanding. Coeducation fact, rarity. presence business, professions, government and, indeed, walks life where always necessary, antecedent apparent notice. specified required boy parental while attains training, so, too, girl. To distinguish two educational grounds self-serving: supported male, hardly expected attend school does, bringing end coincides role-typing society imposed. remains claim maturity concomitant inference absence need fail unquestioned truth significance, particularly marriage, provides, terminates sex. Only Arkansas, far investigation reveals, fixing Ark.Stat.Ann. 57—103 Petty Petty, 252 Ark. 1032, 482 S.W.2d 119 (1972). Furthermore, draws 18—21 defining 30—1—9 relating without consent parent guardian. 30—1—2(4) making void 14. Elsewhere, State's present structure, appear alike. Constitution citizens vote hold 'shall abridged account sex,' '(b)oth . enjoy civil, religious privileges,' 1, Nation's adoption Twenty-sixth did every citizen 'of upwards,' who satisfies durational requirements, vote.' statutes meets nonsex qualifications 'competent act juror,' 78—46—8, admitted practice law, 78—51—10, incorporator, 16—10—48, need, public assistance, 55—15a—17. serve legislative, executive, offices females. Const., VI, 5, VII, 3, VIII, Tobacco sold, purchased, possessed age. 76—10—104 76—10—105 (see 1974, 39 40). differential imposed respect issuance motor vehicle licenses. 41—2—10. State adult programs open over. 53—30 5. Gifts Minors defines minor, purposes, 'who 75—15—2.11 Juvenile jurisdiction designated 55—10—64 55—10—77. Every sound mind dispose property will. 74—1—1. Act, above sons daughters 78—45—2(4), 78—45—3, 22 say important application. 'minor' disaffirm contracts. 2—2. 'infant' guardian ad litem. Rule Civ.Proc. 17(b). action injury to, wrongful death of, 78—11—6. '(u)nder majority' competent estate, 75—4—4, executor 75—3—15(1). limitations tolled bring majority.' 78—12—36. Thus, duties. pervasive effect, direct collateral. 23 test—compelling interest, basis, something between—s survive attack. context, valid drawn. IV 24 Our conclusion Amendment, finally resolve With invalid, determine children's law. asserts eliminated, common claims unconstitutional inequality remedied treating adults rather withholding privileges adulthood reach resolved courts remand; noted, incidentally, 2d, although prevailing here federal ultimately win lawsuit. Harrigfeld Court, 540, 511 822 Commonwealth Butler, 458 Pa. 289, 328 A.2d 851 Skinner Oklahoma, 316 535, 542—543, 62 1110, 1113—1114, 86 1655 (1942). 25 remanded inconsistent opinion. 26 ordered. 27 Judgment 28 REHNQUIST, dissenting. 29 views requiring determination higher attaining United Constitution. regards constitutionality (1953) properly manner approached decided case. But constraints adjudication well bind bound rule, 'to rigidly adhered, never formulate rule broader precise facts applied,' Liverpool, N.Y. & Phila. S.S. Commissioners Emigration, 113 33, 39, 352, 355, 899 (1885), try avoid deciding questions 'come highly abstract form,' Rescue Army Municipal 331 549, 575, 67 1409, 1423, 91 1666 (1947). Fidelity these longstanding rules dictates factual background case, fully outlined Court's opinion, tendered us. invalidates 'in support,' ante, terms define ceases. concede Stantons could provided settlement agreement terminate turned Tr. Oral Arg. 4, 14, arises made terminate. faced necessity filling blank, general age-of-majority neglected specify themselves. 31 Had relied insofar cast light intention regarding obligations reaching missing term executed private parties, ordinarily looks customs, mores, attempt ascertain intended. If, consideration factors, including statute, intended bestow more limited resources perhaps reasons stated strikes me entirely permissible construe agreement. 32 hand, failed agreement, determining intent parties. determination, (1953), indeed implicated 33 I do think confidence approaches taken difficulty, element attenuation asserted behalf like brother actual comprehensive scheme dealing et seq. Under 'child' years,' precisely brother. Sherri, mother, source necessarily out voluntary 34 factors lead says decides, cannot adhere established policy avoiding adjudication. dismiss reason. supra; Socialist Labor Party Gilligan, 406 583, 1716, 317 ** '15—2—1. Period minority.—The eighteen years; marriage.' As frequently statutes, little history available 15—2—1. roots territorial approved 6, 1852. Comp.Laws 1876, 1035.

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