Linda McClain
Introduction to book symposium on Clare Huntington, Failure to Flourish: How Law Undermines Family Relationships (Oxford University Press, 2014)
It is my pleasure to introduce a symposium this week on Professor Clare Huntington’s recent book, Failure to Flourish: How Law Undermines Family Relationships (Oxford University Press, 2014). A staple in political rhetoric, particularly in presidential election cycles, is the premise that there is an important relationship between strong families and a strong nation. As 2016 draws closer, we can also expect to hear rhetoric about the need to close the gap between talking about “family values” and adopting policies that value families. Even now, the future of marriage is a matter of intense discussion: even as marriage becomes available, in a growing number of states, to same-sex couples formerly excluded from it, policy analysts worry about the implications of the growing class-based marriage divide for child well-being and family stability. Thus, it is a propitious time to consider a new book that argues that “strong, stable, and positive” relationships matter for child well-being, for adults, and for society, and insists that a "flourishing" family law and policy can do much more to support those relationships. This week’s book symposium will feature several commentaries on Failure to Flourish, as well as responses by Professor Huntington.
Linda C. McClain is a Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law and may be reached at lmcclainatbu.edu
Introduction to book symposium on Clare Huntington, Failure to Flourish: How Law Undermines Family Relationships (Oxford University Press, 2014)
It is my pleasure to introduce a symposium this week on Professor Clare Huntington’s recent book, Failure to Flourish: How Law Undermines Family Relationships (Oxford University Press, 2014). A staple in political rhetoric, particularly in presidential election cycles, is the premise that there is an important relationship between strong families and a strong nation. As 2016 draws closer, we can also expect to hear rhetoric about the need to close the gap between talking about “family values” and adopting policies that value families. Even now, the future of marriage is a matter of intense discussion: even as marriage becomes available, in a growing number of states, to same-sex couples formerly excluded from it, policy analysts worry about the implications of the growing class-based marriage divide for child well-being and family stability. Thus, it is a propitious time to consider a new book that argues that “strong, stable, and positive” relationships matter for child well-being, for adults, and for society, and insists that a "flourishing" family law and policy can do much more to support those relationships. This week’s book symposium will feature several commentaries on Failure to Flourish, as well as responses by Professor Huntington.
Linda C. McClain is a Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law and may be reached at lmcclainatbu.edu