Unpacking Concepts of Maternity

• Who is a mother? In recent decades, a broader array of family and parenthood scenarios has been legally recognized in Sweden, as well as in several other jurisdictions. However, at least in Sweden, the rules of maternity continue to be rooted in ancient Roman principles, presuming that a child's mother is the woman who gives birth. This principle has been challenged by adoption, uncertain maternity, egg donation, surrogacy, same-sex couples, and transgender parents. Yet, these situations are governed by exception rules, which are often more complicated and less favourable for the child. My PhD thesis explores the evolution of legal parenthood from a norm-critical perspective. This involves critically examining and highlighting what is perceived as standard or neutral, what are considered special cases or exceptions to such norms, and what is viewed as non-existent. Maternity is intimately tied to perceptions of womanhood. This paper seeks to explore how patterns of norms and exceptions in legal parenthood can be understood when approached from different angles, such as essentialism, social constructivism, performative acts, and material conditions.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Juridik -- Juridik och samhälle (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Law -- Law and Society (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Juridik -- Juridik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Law -- Law (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Juridik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Law (hsv//eng)

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