< Back to previous page

Publication

Multi-parenthood, kinship terminology and the role of law

Book - Dissertation

This dissertation explores the principle regarding the maximum number of legal parents for a child, which is generally limited to two (often biological) parents. The rich diversity of parental and family formations in contemporary society has challenged the legal and/or biological dualism of parenthood. Multi-parenthood has been theorized as the fragmentation of the concept of parenthood into gestational-biological, legal, genetic, social and intentional facets. By employing a socio-legal, mixed-methods approach, this dissertation first probes the ways in which intentional and social forms of ‘multi-parenthood’ are named, both within and outside the legal realm. Following this, the dissertation explores the triangular interplay between (1) current kinship terminology when appointing parental figures in intentional multi-parenthood constellations, (2) the social practices and public perception surrounding multi-parenthood and (3) the role of law. It additionally sheds light on potential legislative strategies that can be adopted by the legislatures in answer to multi-parenthood, kinship terminology and its many complexities for the domain of family law.
Number of pages: 160
Publication year:2020
Keywords:Doctoral thesis
Accessibility:Closed