“Douglas provides an insightful overview of the changes in family demography and their impact on family law, which presents a good snapshot of the radical transformation to social life in the UK... Overall, the book is clearly presented and well written. It is essential reading for family law scholars.” – Henry Kha, Macquarie University,
The Cambridge Law Journal
“There are many different ways in which one can approach this subject, and individual preferences will vary. The one chosen by Gillian Douglas has yielded many insights and also allowed a masterly exposition of relevant law. It is a most valuable addition to the literature.” – John Eekelaar, Pembroke College, Oxford,
Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law
“Douglas concludes this fascinating book by highlighting, first, her original observation about the ill-fit of emotion and personal commitment within the legal domain and second, the way in which modern law's celebration of individualism and individual emotional fulfilment has tended to favour men and not women or children... Douglas's arguments are compelling and her analysis offers family lawyers a way of understanding both the successes and failures in reform of family law and policy over the last century.” – Alison Diduck, UCL,
Journal of Law and Society