Putting Children's Interests First in US Family Law and Policy
With Power Comes Responsibility

Putting Children's Interests First in US Family Law and Policy details the rise of federal 'sexual expressionism' policy.

Helen M. Alvaré (Author)

9781107176492, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 December 2017

164 pages
24.3 x 16.4 x 1.5 cm, 0.38 kg

'The concise volume provides a broad overview of jurisprudence and legislation in the United States concern­ing reproductive rights and marriage with a corresponding analysis of its ef­ficacy at reducing nonmarital child bearing.' Kara R. Finck, International Journal of Children's Rights

The well-being of children should be a social priority, and should consider the family circumstances into which children are born. Putting Children's Interests First in US Family Law and Policy: With Power Comes Responsibility details the rise of a federal policy of 'sexual expressionism', which prioritizes adults' interests over children's welfare. It describes the costs to children in the areas of family structure and stability, and the federal programs attempting to ameliorate the situation of non-marital children. Offering a detailed empirical and ethical critique both of 'sexual expressionism' and of the related federal programs, this study will be of interest to scholars and activists supporting children, women and the poor.

Introduction
1. The rise of sexual expressionism
2. Non-marital birth and child outcomes
3. To treat the wounded or to prevent their birth: two federal responses
4. An ethical and anthropological critique
5. Conclusion and recommendations.

Subject Areas: Family law: children [LNMK], Family law: cohabitation [LNMC], Family law: marriage & divorce [LNMB], Sociology: sexual relations [JHBK5], Sociology: family & relationships [JHBK]