Task 5. Discuss the problem in a group or with your partner

Capital punishment is the only way to deter criminals from committing crimes,

it must not be abolished.

Give arguments for and against

FAMILY LAW

(4 hours)

(A – 2 hours) Warming up

1. How do you understand the term Family law?

2. What is the legal marriageable age in Kazakhstan?

3. Is domestic violence a serious crime? Do you think it must be prosecuted?

4. What reasons do you think are valid to start divorce proceeding?

5. What leagal instrument do you know which protects the rights of family members in Kazakhstan? When it was adopted?

Task 1 Read the definition. How do you understand it?

Family law is a comprehensive body of law that deals with family relationships. It stipulates the rights and obligations of parties in domestic relations. Family law covers a wide range of topics, including marriage, divorce, child custody, visitation, alimony, and adoption.

from: USlegal dictionary

Task 2 Read the text and pay attention on the new words and expressions:

THE LAW AND THE FAMILY

Here, we will look at how the law sees the family a special institutions; how some legal systems treat married couples and their children differently from unmarried; the process of divorce; custody of and responsibility for children; and protection from violence in the home. Finally, we will consider the rights of succession to the property of a family member when they die.

Beyond the mere function of providing a new generation of children, the family is often promoted for its moral contribution to society. Despite a growing labor shortage, the Japanese government has passed very little legislation challenging the assumption that mothers should stay at home rather than go out to work. In Ireland, which is strongly influenced by the doctrines of the Catholic Church, divorce remains illegal.

In some societies the family is thought to be so important that there is very little legal intervention in family life. In many Islamic co untries, for example, fathers, brothers and sons are allowed considerable authority over the females in their family. As late as the 1970s, the male head of the household in Switzerland was deemed to represent the interests of everyone within that household, and, consequently none of the women could vote in national elections. But in many parts of the world, the law now promotes the rights of individuals within the family unit, and regulates family relations through legislation. Raised from the taxes of the working population as a whole, child benefit is paid directly to the mother, and retirement pensions are paid to grandparents, so that they are less dependent upon financial support from a family member. In Sweden, parents can be prosecuted for physically punishing their children and children have a limited capacity to divorce their parents. In Britain, as in many countries, there are special family courts with very strong powers to control and transfer private properly in the interests of children. Much of the work of other courts is also directly relevant to family life.[12]

Learn the new words

Task 3. Answer the questions:

1. What is the main idea of the text “The Law and the Family”?

2. What is the family promoted for?

3. Is there much intervention in family life in Islamic countries?

4. What courts control private property in the interests of children in Britain?