Family Policy

1
Family Policy
2
How do Families Vary Across Cultures, History?

• Polygyny
• Multiple wives
• Polyandry
• Multiple husbands
• Polygamy
• Multiple partners
• Matrilineal, Matrifocal, Matriarchal, Patriarchal
  families
• Uncles Grandparents important members

3
History of Anglo-American Family Law

• Coverture (interspousal immunity, naming)
• Separate Spheres (alimony domicile laws)
• Shared Equal Partnership (gender neutral)
• E.g. Rights to children
• Male ownership
• Tender years
• Best interest of child
• Naming

4
Tradition, Rituals and Symbols

• What gender roles are expressed in these marriage
  ceremonies? What is the position of the bride and
  the groom in the newly formed family?
• Are Bride Prices/Wealth and Dowries Related to
  Womens Marital Experience?
• What factors influence the selection of marital
  partners? With what consequences?