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‘My Friends are my Family’: an argument about the limitations of contemporary law's recognition of relationships in later life.

Abstract

Current law and social policy in the various UK legal systems privilege the conjugal couple, biological and filial relationships. Friendship remains on the margins of regulatory recognition. Yet friendship is of growing significance in contemporary social relationships. This is particularly so for older people, especially older lesbian, gay and bisexual people. This paper explores the place of friendship in key areas of law and social policy relating to older age: pensions, benefits and inheritance; medical decision making; mental health and mental capacity legislation; and social care policy. The extent to which contemporary law is keeping up with changing relationship forms will be considered, together with its implications for equality in later life.

Acceptance Date Jan 1, 2013
Publication Date Jan 1, 2013
Journal Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law
Print ISSN 0964-9069
Publisher Taylor and Francis
Pages 347-363
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/09649069.2013.801688
Keywords relationship regulation, older people, lesbian, gay and bisexual, equality, friendship, family
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1080/09649069.2013.801688

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