Changing Families, Changing Family Law in Europe, Konrad Duden and Denise Wiedemann (eds.)

Extract

Changing Families, Changing Family Law in Europe, edited by Konrad Duden and Denise Wiedemann, is a comprehensive volume that features 18 chapters authored by 19 distinguished contributors. The chapters are thoughtfully organized into six thematic parts: Part I—Marriage and Partnership; Part II—Childbearing and Parenthood; Part III—Queer Identities, Queer Families; Part IV—Protection of Vulnerable Family Members; Part V—Addressing Divergences; and Part VI—Changing Families, Changing Family Law. Although the chapters are grouped thematically, each stands alone as an independent contribution, offering unique insights into the evolving challenges faced by family law in Europe.

In the preface, the editors highlight the increasing diversity in the lived realities of European families, a development that has evolved over several decades. They emphasize that European jurisdictions have responded to these changes in varying ways. Consequently, the book explores the critical question of how legal systems in Europe can effectively address the complexities of changing family dynamics when the Member States of the Union remain divided on how to approach these evolving realities.