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

Product Description 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. Review '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 Book Description Putting Children's Interests First in US Family Law and Policy details the rise of federal 'sexual expressionism' policy. About the Author Helen M. Alvaré is Professor of Law at the Scalia Law School at George Mason University, Virginia, where she teaches family law. For over three decades she has practiced family law and constitutional law, and writes in both scholarly and popular venues about the welfare of women and children. She has been an ABC news consultant, a Time Magazine '40 Under 40', an advisor to the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development, and a delegate to United Nations' meetings on women. She received her J.D. from Cornell University, New York.