Marriage at the intersection between tradition and globalization: Turkish marriage migration between Emirdag and Belgium from 1989 to present

In this paper, we will investigate the popularity of marriage migration between Turkish communities in Western Europe and emigration regions in Turkey. Our focus here is specifically on the Belgian case, namely the ‘Emirdag connection’. In Belgium, the majority of immigrants with a Turkish background come from the region of Emirdag, in the province of Afyon. On the basis of quantitative research methodologies, we first consider the magnitude of the phenomenon and the socio-economic situation of those involved. Using the qualitative research techniques of participant observation and in-depth interviews, we analyze the mechanisms in an attempt to explain marriage migration between these regions. Why do so many young people, born and raised in Western Europe, opt for an unknown partner from a region that is largely unknown to them but which proves to be their parents', or even grandparents', region of origin? Why does migration remain such a valuable life project for many young people in these regions of origin, despite the real danger of many negative side effects? The popularity of marriage migration is often explained by its role in making migration possible. However, migration theories alone cannot explain this phenomenon. Here we will argue that the existence of a ‘culture of migration’ that binds the region of origin with the region of destination and in which ‘the family’ as an institution is capable of building a bridge between traditional praxis, as well as the challenges linked to international migration, are crucial for understanding the enduring popularity of marriage migration.     

我国婚姻家庭法的变革与局限

我国2001年颁布的《婚姻法》顺应经济社会发展婚姻家庭关系调整的需要,修改并发展了1980年颁布的《婚姻法》,构建了多元化的夫妻财产制度体系,建立了离婚救济制度,强化了对妇女权益、无过错配偶方和未成年子女利益的保护,形成了家事纠纷多元解决机制的雏形。但新《婚姻法》对夫妻约定财产制的设立、变更与效力等规定不够明确,现行离婚救济制度未达到预期的调整效果,未成年子女最大利益原则体现不够充分,家庭暴力的调查、预防与救助机制以及家事纠纷调解制度不够健全等诸多问题,仍有待进一步发展和完善。     

The recent marital transition in Bulgaria between historical diversity and Pan-European integration

This paper deals with the development of family dynamics in Bulgaria with particular emphasis on the transformation in individual marital behaviour observed since the early 1990s. First, a brief overview of the development of nuptiality over the last century is provided, which establishes the stability of important features associated with the eastern European marriage pattern. The recent marital changes in the country are then discussed in the context of an evolving Second Demographic Transition, which challenges the last remnants of the eastern European marriage pattern and proceeds as an integrative trend toward the plurality of family forms observed within and between European countries. Special attention is directed towards the urban–rural differences in the development of the recent marital transition in Bulgaria. These differences are analysed from the perspective of the subjective preconditions associated with the change or stability of particular values and world-views related to marital life. The analysis shows that in Bulgaria during the 1990s it was the big cities that tended to be innovative centres, disseminating the new familistic values and behavioural patterns that facilitated the development of new marital trends. Conversely, the towns and villages tended to be places in which traditional values were stronger and prevailed for longer. These values, along with some structural factors, maintained the more traditional marital profile of the rural areas for longer.     

《民法典·婚姻家庭编》之我见

尽管 2 0 0 1年《婚姻法》(修正案 )取得了可喜的进步 ,但作为一个阶段性、过渡性的立法措施 ,其制度性的缺失以及内容的失之过简 ,难于操作 ,使其仍然有很大的修改空间。民法的法典化为婚姻法的第二步修订提供了极好的机会。完善婚姻家庭法就应当按照法律规范的科学性、前瞻性、实用性 ,全面、系统地对婚姻家庭关系的各项制度作出明确具体的规定 ,而非该制度的纲要性规范。     

建国初期婚姻制度改革研究

婚姻制度是规范男女两性关系和家庭关系的一种法律制度 ,婚姻关系处在社会生活的表层 ,是社会变迁的指示器。建国初期是中国从传统社会向现代化社会过渡最为剧烈的时期 ,这一时期的我国婚姻制度改革体现了由家庭本位到个人本位的过渡 ,婚姻制度改革对普通民众的生活和社会发展产生了极大的影响     

Transgender Marriage and the Legal Obligation to Disclose Gender History

Section 12 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 as amended by the Gender Recognition Act 2004 requires transgender people to disclose their ‘gender history’ to the other party to a marriage prior to the marriage ceremony. Failure to do so enables the other party to exit the relationship through nullity proceedings. This article argues that this provision is discriminatory and encroaches on the right to privacy, breaching Articles 14 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It challenges the idea, implicit in the provision, that non‐disclosure of gender history is unethical or fraudulent. Crucially, the article considers and rejects the claim that discrimination against and encroachments on the privacy of transgender people are justified because inadvertent sexual congress with a transgender person is potentially harmful. Finally, if a consent‐based right to know exists, it argues that it ought to be trumped by considerations of justice, legal consistency and public policy.     

我国夫妻约定财产制及其登记的必要性探析

我国现行的婚姻法对夫妻财产约定的主体、形式、内容、效力等一系列问题做了明确的规定,但由于法律在有些方面的规定不够明确,在实施过程中还存在着一定的困难,本文主要对夫妻约定财产制度的内容和夫妻约定财产制的不足进行了分析,在此基础上,对现行夫妻约定财产制度的完善和登记的必要性提出了自己的看法。     

Why weren't (many) European women ‘missing’?

In a 1990 article, Amartya Sen observed “More than 100million Women … Missing” from the populations of parts of south and east Asia. Direct observation and census data suggested that gender ratios deviated sufficiently from what is known to be normal in modern human populations to suggest that the phenomenon was not random. Researchers have explored major proximate causes of “missing” girls and women such as female-selective abortion, routine neglect of young girls in their families including differential access to modern medical care, and even infanticide. This article uses Sen's work and the research of others on Asia to compare with evidence of the disadvantaging or even “mortal neglect” of girls and women in Western European society in the early modern and modern periods — roughly from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. It argues that the current state of the evidence suggests little support for similar gender-specific forms of mortal neglect in Western Europe. It explores why this may have been so, using evidence from economic, social, demographic and religious life.     

Public investment in private problems: legal aid and the family justice system

This paper examines findings from the Legal Aid Board Research Unit's Case Profiling Study in the light of the current reform programmes for both legal aid and family law. The findings relate to over 650 legally aided family cases including divorce, separation, ancillary relief and Children Act 1989 applications. The main aim of the study was to gain a better understanding of what is currently funded by the legal aid fund. Costs have been related to stages of cases and to the strategies employed by solicitors. Finally, I comment on the future role of legal aid in family law, suggesting that, to a large extent, public investment will be maintained. Remuneration of service providers will evolve as systems of contracting are introduced in January 2000. There will be continued emphasis on family mediation as an alternative method of dispute resolution. However, cases involving issues relating to children and their welfare will remain within the scope of public support. Domestic violence and other emergency issues will also merit high priority. Although there will be extensive changes in other areas of legal aid, family law appears to remain relatively unscathed.     

Marriage and power: Age at first marriage and spousal age gap in lesser developed countries

This paper examines age at first marriage for women and spousal age gap as an indicator for female agency from 1950 to 2005. Using a dataset of 77 LDCs this paper seeks to explore which variables determine differences at a country level in marriage patterns. We look at the influence of urbanisation, education, percentage population of Muslim faith, and family type. We find that education is a key in determining at what age women marry, having as would be expected a positive effect on age at first marriage and depressing spousal age gap. Urbanisation is significant, with a positive effect on age and negative on spousal age gap, although the effect is not very large. The percentage Muslim variable depresses female age at first marriage and increases spousal age gap but only when family type is not controlled for. The initially strong negative effect of percentage population Muslim over the period under consideration on age of first marriage has decreased, which raises some interesting questions about the role of Islam in female empowerment.     

国家与婚姻:婚姻自由的宪法之维

作为宪法基本权利的婚姻自由,是指婚姻当事人享有自主地决定自己婚姻的权利,免受国家的非法干预与侵犯.婚姻当事人按照法律的规定,有权基于本人的意志,自主自愿地决定自己的婚姻问题,既不受国家的强迫、限制或其他方式的影响,也不受第三人的干涉和强制.我国法律规范中限制公民结婚和离婚的某些规定,与宪法婚姻自由基本权利是相冲突的,国家对婚姻自由限制只能是在宪法精神下基于合理的、正当的理由且只能由法律予以规定.婚姻自由是否可以包括同性婚姻近年来被少数群体呼吁,其法律理论需要从宪法平等的层面进行探讨.同性婚姻的法理学源于宪法平等而非婚姻法,即性的平等而非男女平等,同性婚姻如果需要国家的保护,首先需要对宪法平等权作扩张的解释,然后才有可能进入由法律规范调整的讨论视角.     

论行政调查中的不得自证己罪原则

不得自证己罪原则在行政调查领域的适用,在美国等西方国家,是一个宪法问题。在我国,从长远来看,不得自证己罪原则的适用,包括刑事诉讼领域和行政调查领域,是必然的趋势。在行政调查领域,适用不得自证己罪原则,应当考虑行政法本身的特点,与行政程序中的证据规则配合使用。     

变性人婚后变性权及其婚姻家庭关系问题探析

变性权是自然人根据自己的意愿选择并依法通过变性手术改变性别的权利。已婚者享有变性权,可以独立行使该权利,无须征得其配偶的同意,也不应以离婚为条件,但其变性权应受法律规制。同时,婚后变性不能引起婚姻关系的自然解除。对婚后变性不离婚的,应将其婚姻关系作为一种例外予以承认。双方欲解除婚姻关系的,只能依照行政程序登记离婚,或者依照司法程序诉请离婚,并妥善处理好未成年子女抚养、监护和探望问题。     

“省直管县”体制改革与行政问责制度构建

自2009年中央一号文件颁布后,包括海南、重庆、湖南等在内的许多省、直辖市都加大了"省直管县"体制改革的力度。扩权、放权后为了对县级政府的权力行使加以严格监督,很对地方都出台了地方性的行政问责制度。当前中央也出台了《关于实行党政领导干部问责的暂行规定》。这些行政问责制度无疑对规范和监督县级政府的行政行为发挥了重要作用,但是,在实践过程中也存在各种问题,比如问责主体单一、客体有限、内容狭窄,以及程序不完善等问题,从而致使行政问责制度难以发挥其应有的功效。因此,在"省直管县"体制改革中应针对上述问题,对行政问责制度逐步加以完善,从而促使县级政府的行政权力得以良性行使和"省直管县"体制改革的顺利进行。     

家务责任法律化的思考与立法建议

家务是家庭存续的重要方式,长期以来一直处于由女性承担的不公平状态。家务劳动的繁重性与无偿性严重阻碍女性进入社会生产领域,限制女性的发展,并成为引发家庭矛盾的重要原因。但我国相关法律对此还少有提及。家务责任法律化在我国不仅重要,而且将会具有特别的意义。     

现代性与私法文化精神论纲

现代性运动展现了差异性、多样性、自由自主性的私人生活领域和活动空间 ,促进了私法文化精神和法治信仰的形成 ;而现代性的当代困境、危机和重建倾向 ,则促进了私法文化精神的当代转型和反思超越。在现代性追求和重建的复杂背景下推进中国法治进程 ,就要积极培育具有时代诉求的私法文化精神 ,以促进私法秩序和法治国家的建立。     

涉外结婚的法律适用比较与我国立法的完善

目前各国关于涉外结婚法律适用都是将结婚的实质要件和形式要件进行分开规定,并主要采取混合制的做法。我们应根据国际社会的实践以及我国的实际情况,完善我国涉外结婚法律适用的立法。     

传媒监督权行使如何法治——从“宜黄事件”切入

“宜黄事件”是一起因传媒监督而具有法律意义的典型事件。对该起事件的调研及对相关新闻内容的梳理表明,其传媒监督权行使的信息基础存在瑕疵,有违新闻报道的基本要求;相关传媒也未能坚持中立的立场,报导中未能做到尽可能的客观公正,未能兼顾冲突双方的话语权。因此,该案传媒监督权的行使出现了法治偏差。这与传媒介入的特性有关,更与传媒追求商业利益的倾向有关。社会和公共领域中的政治力量,也可能影响传媒监督权的立场。承担公共表达职能的传媒,是现代法治国家共同价值的维系纽带之一,因此需要平衡商业利益和政治力量的制约,塑造传媒监督的健康立场。这可以通过职业伦理约束和法律规范的共同作用来实现。