Family Values and Family Justice

This volume collects together Michael Freeman's work on the family and society, and the part law plays in defining, structuring and controlling it. He questions the role of family law and its interface with family values, as well as the rights and best interests of children. Responsible parenthood is examined as well as the relationship between family law and medical law, examining surrogacy and saviour siblings. On adult relations the volume centres on domestic violence, same sex marriage, and alternative dispute resolution. Finally he examines the relationship between law and religion, focusing on Jewish divorce and the role of the state. The book is essential reading for scholars and students of family law, as well as those interested in gender and patriarchy, law and feminism, rights, and dispute resolution.

Contents: Family values and family justice; Disputing children; The best interests of the child? Is the best interests of the child in the best interests of children?; What's right with rights for children; The end of the Century of the Child?; Children are unbeatable; Saviour siblings; Why it remains important to take children's rights seriously; Legal ideologies, patriarchal precedents and domestic violence; The right to responsible parents; Does surrogacy have a future after Brazier?; Not such a queer idea: is there a case for same sex marriages?; Questioning the delegalization movement in family law: do we really want a family court?; Is the Jewish Get any business of the state?; Towards a critical theory of family law; Name Index.