Full Description
This book continues the themes addressed by its two predecessors in this mini-series by examining the role of the principle of the welfare interests of the child in the law of the U.S. and Canada. It provides a record of the key milestones in its development in each country and conducts a comparative analysis of the contemporary law relating to children in both. In doing so, it focuses also on the Indigenous communities - the AN/AI and the First Nations - of the U.S. and Canada respectively.
By identifying and analysing the functions of the principle in the public (care, protection and control, etc), private (matrimonial, adoption, etc) and hybrid (adoption from care, surrogacy, etc) sectors of family law, it builds a picture of the law relating to children in the two countries and reveals significant jurisdictional differences. By examining the legislation and related caselaw, it assesses the different effects of the same legal framework on the welfare of Indigenous and other children.
In addition to a digest of cases and legislation that identifies and tracks the role of this legal principle, lawyers, academics and other researchers will find a wealth of information on how it has evolved to reflect corresponding changes in social mores. For those interested in politics and social policy, there is much illuminating evidence of how the law has balanced this principle relative to others in both civil and criminal contexts.
Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I
Background
Chap 1 Concepts, Constructs & Cultural Context
Part II
United States of America
Chap 2 Policy, principles, legislation and courts
Chap 3 The welfare principle in contemporary practice: public family law; civil
and criminal jurisdictions
Chap 4 The welfare principle in contemporary practice: private family law and
hybrid proceedings
Part III
Canada
Chap 5 Policy, principles, legislation and courts
Chap 6 The welfare principle in contemporary practice: public family law; civil
and criminal jurisdictions
Chap 7 The welfare principle in contemporary practice: private family law and
hybrid proceedings
Part IV
The Indigenous Children of North America
Chap 8 Americans/Indians and the First Nations/Inuit
Part V
Themes of Commonality and Difference
Chap 9 Themes and a comparative jurisdictional analysis
Conclusion
Select Bibliography
Index
