Description
Book SynopsisWhat are the social and cultural features that have the most impact on the interpretation of the legal standard, best interest of the child? One method for answering this question is through a comparison of two societies, Sweden and the United States, both of which apply the same legal standard to similar contested custody and visitation cases. This study views love, law, and knowledge as separate discourses. Love encompasses the interpretations of the actors whose claims arise from the emotions associated with care, concern, and relationships, namely parents, the children who are the subject of a case, and other family members. Justice encompasses the interpretations and claims which are made by judges, but its discourse includes the legal process and legal policies. Knowledge is encompassed by the concerns and claims of professionals and/or experts including social science discussions of care, welfare, and psychology and the interpretations and descriptions given by the professionals
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Laws, Process, Parental Roles, and Continuity Chapter 3: Transferring Residence Chapter 4: Professionals and Experts in Sweden and the US Chapter 5: Cases of Alienation or Problems in the Parents’ Relationship? Chapter 6: Parents’ Narratives of Care Chapter 7: Violence and Abuse in the Parents’ Relationship Chapter 8: Children’s Opinions in the US and Sweden Chapter 9: Conclusion Appendix Notes Reference List
