The Parental Obligation - by Mavis MacLean & John Eekelaar & M MacLean (Hardcover)

About the Book

Study showing that parenthood, rather than marriage, is the mechanism through which moral principles are converted into legal and social obligations.

Book Synopsis

Parenthood, rather than marriage, is emerging as the main mechanism for converting moral principles into legal and social obligations. However, this study shows that living with both parents gives children a social capital not found in other cases.

Review Quotes

"Maclean and Eekelaar's exploration of social and biological parenthood is thought-provoking and full of insights." --Social Policy

"The Parental Obligation is an extremely useful addition to our understanding ...which will no doubt stimulate further research and thought." --Cambridge Law Journal

"... the book is based on methodologically rigorous empirical research and meticulous scholarship, and is well worth reading." --Family Law

"This book should certainly be on the reading list of anyone considering the current debate about the parenting of children of lone parents" --New Law Journal

"It is clear, accessible, and adds authoritatively to the growing and impressive canon of work in this area." --International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family

"The book is stimulating and thought-provoking." --Queensland Law Society Journal, Proctor

"This is an important and timely book.. It complements and extends the invaluable socio-legal work Maclean and Eekelaar have been undertaking for many years on parenting and divorce, and provides much needed empirical data." --Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law

"The Parental Obligation is thought provoking, and as promised, the study does raise important new questions against which current knowledge should be viewed." --Alternative Law Journal

"...a most valuable contribution to the debate about the nature of the obligations of parenthood chiefly because of its attempt to stimulate lateral thinking which takes on board the complexity and fluidity of family relationships." --Journal of Law and Society

About the Author

Mavis Maclean is co-founder of the Oxford Centre for Family Law and Policy, Oxford University.

John Eekelaar is Reader in law and Fellow of Pembroke College, Oxford.