Weekend Frivolity: Sarah Dooley Explains Infancy Doctrine in “Stupid Things”

Readers of this blog are probably tired of me taking every possible opportunity to encourage people to download Sarah Dooley’s new album, Is This Heartbreak?   I know.  It’s tiresome.  But Sarah is the daughter of my fabulous former colleague, Laura Dooley, and I can honestly say that Sarah is to music what Laura is to Civil Procedure.  I can also honestly say that I don’t know what that means.

I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf.  Today, I’m pushing people to buy Sarah’s first album, Stupid Things. And the infancy doctrine has given me a reason to do so.  Readers of this blog are familiar with the infancy doctrine, which lets people under age 18 disaffirm their contracts, often without any adjustment for depreciation or damage (unless caused by the infant’s tortious conduct).  Seems nuts, especially if the contracts are basically fair and the infant gets to enjoy whatever was bought without having to compensate the seller for depreciation.  Sarah’s lyrics on the title track explain why this might make sense from a policy perspective:

You’re allowed to do stupid things
When you’re young
People look the other way
It’s okay
At least that’s what people say
You’re allowed to try pot
You’re allowed to get shot
You’re allowed to do anything once
Cause you’re young
Yeah you’re young
Yeah you’re young

Public policy analysis you can dance to.