Law and Family Diversity

Abstract

Legislation presents a variety of challenges for different families and relationship forms. The goal of this project has been to find out what problems families with children encounter in legislation and to consider how these problems might best be solved. A total of six surveys for families have been carried out during the project, and the research has been informed by insights from them as well as by the problems recognized in the project’s mandate. Legal analysis and international comparisons have then helped explore potential solutions to these challenges.

This report examines legislative challenges in four contexts: in forming families, at the intersections of legal and de facto parenthood, in the structuring of everyday life in families with children, and in the social security system. In addition, the need for reforms in inheritance law has been analyzed in a separate report. 

All in all, finding simple solutions to the problems has proven tricky. Families’ situations, as well as their views on how various challenges should be addressed, are often complex and contradictory. Instead of looking for simple solutions, the focus should be on connecting families’ experiences with legislative goals and on strengthening the current knowledge base on families and family diversity. 

To this end, the report presents 25 recommendations for future legislative work and research.

Full text (julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi)

Authors

Sanna Koulu, Ella Sihvonen, Kia Aarnio, Anna Moring

Additional Information

• Peer-Reviewed: yes.
• Open Access: yes.
• Cite as: Koulu, S., Sihvonen, E., Aarnio, K., & Moring, A. (2023). Laki ja perheiden monimuotoisuus. Valtioneuvoston kanslia. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-383-274-9