Reconstructing Parentage [Paperback]

A groundbreaking analysis of parentage law, integrating legal doctrine and moral philosophy into a comprehensive system.Reconstructing Parentage offers a fresh perspective on the source of parental rights and duties. By scrutinizing the personal and political relationships tied to parenthood, this book develops a pluralistic theory of parentage law that provides a comprehensive solution to ongoing debates surrounding legal parentage.Reconstructing Parentage offers a fresh perspective on the source of parental rights and duties. By scrutinizing the personal and political relationships tied to parenthood, this book develops a pluralistic theory of parentage law that provides a comprehensive solution to ongoing debates surrounding legal parentage.Reconstructing Parentage is a comprehensive investigation into what makes someone a parent. Drawing on liberal-egalitarian philosophy, the book argues that the community must ensure children's basic rights, including their right to a parent. In light of parenthood's political foundation, no adult could have a natural right or duty to parent based in genetics, procreation, caregiving, or intentions. Nevertheless, by scrutinizing existing law, the book uncovers a limited role for each intuitive basis of parentage and reassembles them into a pluralistic system of parentage law. Reconstructing Parentage offers a timely and thought-provoking analysis of a complex and contentious issue in modern society.1. Political parenthood; 2. Parentage by genetics; 3. Parents by procreation; 4. Parents by caregiving; 5. Parents by agreement; 6. Parentage conflicts.Reconstructing Parentage is an amazing text: original, comprehensive, and persuasive. It combines policy, morality, and doctrine, without simplifying or distorting the issues or the positions. It will be the authoritative text on parental rights and duties for a long time to come. Brian Bix, Frederick W. Thomas Professor of Law and Philosophy, University of MinnesotaA superb book l“'