Responsibility, Law and the Family

by Lind,Craig; Keating,Heather

• ISBN13: 9780754671091
• ISBN10: 0754671097
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-08-28
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This volume explores the concept of responsibility in family life, law and practice. The authors examine the distinctions between rights, obligations and responsibilities in their moral, social and legal forms. Divided into four parts, the study considers the nature of family responsibility, constructions of children's responsibilities, shifting conceptions of family responsibilities and family, responsibility and the law. The collection brings together some of the leading experts from the disciplines of sociology, socio-legal studies and law to explore moral, social and legal responsibilities prior to birth, to children, of children, and of the state towards family members. The volume seeks to inform and challenge the developing conceptualization of responsibilities which arise in interdependent, intimate and caring relationships and their legal regulation. The book will be of interest to researchers and practitioners working in this complex field.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction: conceptualising family responsibility

The Nature of Family Responsibility

The right to responsible parents

Together for ever? The rights and responsibilities of adult children and their parents

Being a responsible mother: New Labour policy discourses versus lone mothers' contextualised accounts

State responsibility and the abuse of vulnerable older people: is there a case for a public law to protect vulnerable older people from abuse?

Constructions of Children's Responsibilities

Responsible children and children's responsibilities? Sibling caretaking and babysitting by school-age children

Being responsible, becoming responsible and having responsibility thrust upon them: constructing the 'responsibility' of children and parents

Responsibility, children and childhood

Shifting Conceptions of Family Responsibilities

Engaging fathers? Responsibility, law and the 'problem of fatherhood'

Responsible fathers: paternity, the blood tie and family responsibility

Being responsible: 'good' parents and children's autonomy

Family, Responsibility and the Law

Parental responsibility, responsible parenting and legal regulation

Family law and family responsibility

Conclusion: regulating for responsibility in an age of complex families

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.