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Family courts

The issue of reasonable goals

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Law and Human Behavior

Abstract

Family courts are increasingly accepted as altermatives to juvenile courts. Arguments for the establishment of these courts rests on the assumption that a consolidated jurisdiction looking beyond any particular offense to the best interests of a family can better coordinate services and devise creative dispositions. This paper questions whether this movement may not be underestimating the inherent, difficult problems associated with any attempt to regulate family dynamics legally. Theoretical and organizational impediments to the family courts movement are examined. Conclusions are drawn about potentially fruitful roles for family courts to pursue in order to avoid later claims of misdirected idealism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Virginia, USA

    Edward P. Mulvey

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  1. Edward P. Mulvey
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Additional information

The author wishes to thank Walter Wadlington N. Dickon Reppucci, and Roger Kobak for their comments on drafts of this paper.

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Mulvey, E.P. Family courts. Law Hum Behav 6, 49–64 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01049314

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