Abstract

Today we can reflect back on the 20th and 21st century and conclude that they were worlds apart. However, there is one correlation which can be drawn from the recent history of the United Kingdom and that is an increase in equality and a change in the family structure. Equality for parents has been predominantly navigated by legislation thus, highlighting the importance of influences of the legislative process. The 20th Century had seen the implementation of the Children Act 1989, which aimed to ‘put children at the centre of the court’s decision making. Whereas in the 21st century, we have seen fathers’ chain themselves to railings in order to bring change to the custody rights of fathers. However, with it being submitted that society still holds the view that ‘women are the care givers within the family and fathers are the bread-winners’, then poses a question: To what extent has the law adapted to reflect the view of a modern society: Fathers should have equal rights, compared to mothers when it comes to matters relating to that of their children.