What legal obligation do both parents have towards their unemancipated child?

In New York, the legal obligation of both parents towards their unemancipated child generally mandates that they provide support until the child turns 21 years of age if the child is still in high school. However, the fundamental legal obligation to support the child exists until the child reaches the age of 18 in most circumstances, which includes the duty to provide for essential needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and education.

This understanding originates from the state's child support laws, which specify that parental responsibility continues until the child reaches the age of majority. Although parents may have a longer obligation if the child continues their education, the minimum duty to support exists up to the child's 18th birthday. The fact that support obligations can change based on circumstances, such as the child's situation regarding education and overall well-being, solidifies the notion that 18 is the definitive age where this obligation generally concludes, unless specific conditions extend it.

The other answer choices do not accurately reflect the legal framework governing child support in New York.