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Governing Parenting: Is There a Case for a Policy Review and Statement of Parenting Rights and Responsibilities?
Author(s) -
Henricson Clem
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of law and society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.263
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1467-6478
pISSN - 0263-323X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-6478.2008.00419.x
Subject(s) - legislation , government (linguistics) , statement (logic) , context (archaeology) , political science , corporate governance , public administration , politics , perspective (graphical) , public relations , law and economics , sociology , law , economics , management , paleontology , philosophy , linguistics , artificial intelligence , computer science , biology
This paper addresses the governance of families in the context of a political philosophy that endorses a rights perspective in social policy and the need to promote transparent government. The status of parenting as a function of government has grown substantially under the present Labour administration and now commands cross‐party support as a priority issue. However, it would be wrong to claim that there is a national consensus regarding the role of the state in supporting and regulating families in their upbringing of children. This paper assesses current parental rights and responsibilities in relation to financial support, and the physical and emotional care and control of children. Emerging themes and ambiguities are drawn out, and consideration is given to the need for a strategic policy statement embracing the broad ambit of government legislation, discussion documents, and commentaries. In conclusion, the case is made for a regular policy review and for a national debate as to whether there should an official statement of parents’ rights and responsibilities.