Social Service Review, 81(2), June 2007, pp.229-243.
Publisher:
University of Chicago Press
This article explores changes in state laws in the United States that allow a grandparent to petition a court for visits with a grandchild, permitting a court to order visits over the objection of a fit parent. Such changes are altering the century-old rule that fit parents have a right to control the upbringing of their children. The changes allow the state to intervene in family life when intervention is in a child's best interest, and the state does not have to prove a parent unfit in order to make such an intervention. Also, this article briefly considers court decisions that allow a nonrelative to petition for visitation and custody. It concludes by examining the implications of these decisions for the meaning of family and for social policy.
This article explores changes in state laws in the United States that allow a grandparent to petition a court for visits with a grandchild, permitting a court to order visits over the objection of a fit parent. Such changes are altering the century-old rule that fit parents have a right to control the upbringing of their children. The changes allow the state to intervene in family life when intervention is in a child's best interest, and the state does not have to prove a parent unfit in order to make such an intervention. Also, this article briefly considers court decisions that allow a nonrelative to petition for visitation and custody. It concludes by examining the implications of these decisions for the meaning of family and for social policy.
Subject terms:
parental rights, rights, contact, decision making, Family Courts, family law, grandparents;
Child and Family Law Quarterly, 19(1), 2007, pp.17-41.
Publisher:
Jordan Publishing
Grandparents' pressure groups have been campaigning for enhanced legal rights in relation to grandchildren. This article examines those campaigns and their outcomes in the context of contact disputes with parents. Although the groups have not achieved their objective of legislative change, it is suggested that they have made gains in other ways, aided, to some extent by father’s rights groups.
Grandparents' pressure groups have been campaigning for enhanced legal rights in relation to grandchildren. This article examines those campaigns and their outcomes in the context of contact disputes with parents. Although the groups have not achieved their objective of legislative change, it is suggested that they have made gains in other ways, aided, to some extent by father’s rights groups. Finally, the article suggests that the new emphasis on the grandparent/grandchild relationship may prove detrimental for resident parents, usually mothers.
Subject terms:
interest groups, rights, children, contact, family law, family relations, grandparents;
Discusses the changing role of grandparents and how family law has responded. Looks in particular at private law contact cases; looked after children; and adoption.
Discusses the changing role of grandparents and how family law has responded. Looks in particular at private law contact cases; looked after children; and adoption.
Subject terms:
law, looked after children, rights, adoption, carers, child care, families, grandparents;
... abduction. Part III Acknowledging caring responsibilities, includes coverage on the legal rights of grandparents, duty to care for the elderly, elder abuse, home care for extraordinary children and global issues of caring.
A collection of essays which explore and conceptualizes responsibility in families and family law. Essays look at what it means to have family responsibilities, what constitutes an adequate performance of these responsibilities and the point at which the state should intervene. It is especially interested in the effects that legal regulation (and its absence) have on the day-to-day responsibilities that people in family relationships actually undertake. The collection is in three main sections. Part I, The gendered nature of family responsibility, includes coverage of the work-life balance, the roles of fathers and mothers, family finance and property law. Part II, Regulating responsibilities in fragmented families includes essays on shared residence, relocation disputes and child abduction. Part III Acknowledging caring responsibilities, includes coverage on the legal rights of grandparents, duty to care for the elderly, elder abuse, home care for extraordinary children and global issues of caring.
Subject terms:
joint residence, older people, parental responsibility, parental role, rights, separated parents, social policy, carers, families, family law, family relations, grandparents;
... elder abuse; pensions and benefits for older people; grandparents; the health care of older people; and inheritance issues. The author examines the complex social and legal issues these topics can raise. He believes the British social and legal systems let older people down in many ways and makes proposals as to how these could be improved, and arguing that the devaluation of ageing and the social
The author examines both the legal rights and responsibilities of older people. Although the focus is particularly on the legal issues surrounding old age it draws extensively on the gerentological, philosophical, sociological, and medical literature surrounding the subject. Among the key issues included are: ageing and law: ageism and age discrimination; mental capacity; care and older people; elder abuse; pensions and benefits for older people; grandparents; the health care of older people; and inheritance issues. The author examines the complex social and legal issues these topics can raise. He believes the British social and legal systems let older people down in many ways and makes proposals as to how these could be improved, and arguing that the devaluation of ageing and the social exclusion of older people not only impoverishes the lives of older people, but of society generally.
Subject terms:
law, mental capacity, older people, pensions, rights, social policy, age discrimination, benefits, carers, elder abuse, health care, grandparents;