The Right to Family in National Constitutions.

N. V. Dorodonova

doi:10.17803/2713-0533.2025.4.34.1023-1037

The Right to Family in National Constitutions.

N. V. Dorodonova

https://doi.org/10.17803/2713-0533.2025.4.34.1023-1037

Full Text:

PDF (Eng)

Generate QR code

Abstract

Constitutions are dynamic instruments that adapt to changes in society. A family plays a key role in social stability, generation continuity and national development. Worldwide, the constitutions increasingly recognize the family as a particular legal institution that needs state protection. The aim of the review is to make a comparative study of the concept of the family and its protection and support in the national constitutions of seventy countries. The author analyzes how different legal systems define, regulate and implement the right to family life. By means of comparative analysis, the study distinguishes three family models: traditional (marriage-centric), dynamic (with different types of family units) and neutral (protection through universal human rights). This shows that, despite consensus on the balance between traditional values and changing social conditions, there are still significant differences in the legal interpretation of the right to family. The review notes progress in recognizing the right to family life in the constitutions, but the practical implementation also depends on national legislation and legal mechanisms to ensure the family protection and support.

Keywords

Constitution, right to a family, family protection and support, state policy, family life

About the Author

N. V. Dorodonova

Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL)
Russian Federation

Natalia V. Dorodonova, Cand. Sci. (Law), Associate Professor, Department of Constitutional and Municipal Law

References

1. Cassidy, A., Rodriguez, L. and Devaney, C., (2018). Meitheal and Child and Family Support Networks: The Child and Family Support Networks Research Study. UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, doi: 10.52516/dtvp9428.

2. Choudhry, S. and Herring, J., (2019). The Cambridge Companion to Comparative Family Law. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; doi: 10.1017/9781316711750.

3. Churchill, H., Devaney, C. and Abela, A., (2024). Promoting child welfare and supporting families in Europe: Multi-dimensional conceptual and developmental frameworks for national family support systems. Children and Youth Services Review, 161, p. 107679, doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107679.

4. Green, M.C. and Kabata, F., (2021). Law, Religion and the Family in Africa. African Sun Media; doi: 10.52779/9781991201577.

5. Espejo, N. and Lathrop, F., (2019). Towards the Constitutionalization of Family Law in Latin America. The Cambridge Companion to Comparative Family Law, pp. 128–157, doi: 10.1017/9781316711750.006.

6. Herrera, M., (2011). La Familia en la ConstituciȖn 2020, Quȍ Famil ia? In: Gargarella, R. (coord.). La Constitucion en 2020: 48 propuestas para una sociedad igualitaria. Buenos Aires: Siglo Veintiuno Editores; ISBN: 978-987-629-180-4. (In Spanish).

7. Herzmann, K., (2019). The protection of marriage and family: a constitutional responsibility to enable all-embracing interaction as a means without an (objective) end. China-EU Law Journal, 6(3–4), pp. 189–203, doi: 10.1007/s12689-019-00084-5.

8. Martinez Munoz, K.X., (2022). La constitucionalizacion del derecho de familia. Retos Del Derecho de Familia Contemporaneo, pp. 1–24, doi: 10.12804/urosario9789587848663.01. (In Spanish).

9. Naldini, M. and Long, J., (2017). Geographies of Families in The European Union: A Legal and Social Policy Analysis. International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, 31(1), pp. 94–113, doi: 10.1093/lawfam/ebw017.

10. PutniŪa, A., (2020). Meeting the challenges of the 21st century: Social change and the family. Social Work and Social Sciences Review, 21(2), pp. 46–57, doi: 10.1921/swssr.v21i2.1419.

11. Rybakov, O.Yu., Rostovskaya, T.K. and Rybakova, O.S., (2025). Family and Demographic Policy in the Vector of Ensuring National Security of Russia. Kutafin Law Review, 12(1), pp. 1–18, doi: 10.17803/2713-0533.2025.1.31.001-018.

Review

For citations:

Dorodonova N.V. The Right to Family in National Constitutions. Kutafin Law Review. 2025;12(4):1023-1037. https://doi.org/10.17803/2713-0533.2025.4.34.1023-1037

JATS XML