家族とは、そして親になるとはどういうことでしょうか。子どもにとっての権利とは？ 家族法とは何かを説明するにとどまらず、現状がどのように作られていったかについても考察します。将来、家族の在り方が変化していけば、法律も変わっていかざるを得ません。そうしたことから、未来の家族像や、家庭裁判所が将来抱えることになると予想される問題についても検討します。
   

• Provides a clear and accessible introduction to family law
• Explains the legal principles which underpin the law
• Explores the changing nature of family law and future issues the courts will deal with
• Focusses on international examples, including the UK and USA

 
What is a family? What makes someone a parent? What rights should children have? Family Law: A Very Short Introduction gives the reader an insight not only into what the law is, but why it is the way it is. It examines how laws have had to respond to social changes in family life, from rapidly rising divorce rates to surrogate mothers, and gives insight into family courts which are required to deal with the chaos of family life and often struggle to keep up-to-date with the social and scientific changes which affect it. It also looks to the future: what will families look like in the years ahead? What new dilemmas will the courts face?