ABSTRACT
Family law represents the intersection of two of the most pervasive and fundamental institutions in our society. Not surprisingly then, the confusions and contradictions that characterize contemporary family life, including those that relate to men’s and women’s “proper” familial roles, tend to be reflected in family law. Moreover, because legislative statutes and judicial decisions reflect the particular culture from which they arise, a thorough understanding of men’s legal rights and responsibilities within the family requires not only an appreciation of the family and legal systems in relation to one another, but also in relation to their broader socio-historical context. As such, the legal institution has become a prime testing ground for the ever-evolving cultural definitions of marriage, parenthood, and family.
