Families We Choose? Visions of a World Without Blood Ties

International Journal of the Jurisprudence of the Family, Vol. 2, 2011

64 Pages Posted: 3 Apr 2018 Last revised: 13 Jul 2018

See all articles by George W. Dent

George W. Dent

Case Western Reserve University School of Law

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Date Written: 2011

Abstract

The natural family is under attack. In virtually every culture throughout history, blood ties have been considered paramount, transcending even such bonds as nationality and ethnicity. "Who are you?" We answer with a name, usually comprising the name of our biological family and an individual name given to us by our biological parents-a name we generally keep for life. Family relationships are central to most concepts of human well-being. We are all moved by the American slave hymn, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child. The Bible commands us to “Honor thy father and thy mother...”. The loss of one parent is universally regarded as a misfortune; the loss of both-to be left an orphan-is a tragedy. Ties to siblings and relatives in the broader family are important to most people.

Suggested Citation

Dent, George W., Families We Choose? Visions of a World Without Blood Ties (2011). International Journal of the Jurisprudence of the Family, Vol. 2, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3154889

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Case Western Reserve University School of Law ( email )

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