Contemporary Fathers, Care, and the Law

Guest: Alice Margaria (Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology).

Defining what makes someone a father has become a complex task in contemporary Europe. What roles are attributed to genetics, marriage, gender, and active involvement in a child's life? Courts are increasingly grappling with these questions, prompted by a combination of societal shifts and scientific advancements, including assisted reproductive technologies and the growing social acceptance of LGBTQ families. In this episode, Alice Margaria reveals how the European Court of Human Rights has – perhaps inadvertently – played a significant role in reshaping notions of fatherhood. Indeed, in recent decades the Court has increased its focus on paternal care, thereby expanding the boundaries of legal fatherhood to encompass a growing number of unconventional fathers.

(Audio Production: www.citysoundstudio.de)