Canadian Journal of Family Law
Article Title
First Page
281
Document Type
Article
Abstract
In most jurisdictions, the two-parent rule does not take into account the social reality of intentional multiple-parent families where more than two parents share parenting tasks from a child’s birth. Many cases show that children in non-traditional parenting constellations are emotionally attached to all parental figures and perceive them as true parents. Unfortunately, the law does not adequately acknowledge multiple parenting practices, and thus a discrepancy exists between the social and the legal reality of (often young) children in intentional plus-two-parent families. This article argues that the law should aim to rectify this discrepancy by legally accommodating multiple parenthood, preferably (but not exclusively) on the grounds of parental intent.
Recommended Citation
Nola Cammu,
"Intent to Parent is What Makes a Parent? A Comparative Analysis of the Role of Intent in Multi-Parenthood Recognition"
(2019)
32:2
Can J Fam L
281.