Conceptions of Parenthood: Ethics and The FamilyOur parents often have a significant impact on the content of our beliefs, the values we hold, and the goals we pursue and becoming a parent can also have a similar impact on our lives. In Conceptions of Parenthood Michael Austin provides a rigorous and accessible philosophical analysis of the numerous and distinct conceptions of parenthood. Issues considered are the nature and justification of parental rights, the sources of parental obligations, the value of autonomy, and the moral obligations and tensions present within interpersonal relationships. Austin rejects the 'proprietarian', 'best interests of the child', and 'biological' conceptions of parenthood as failing to generate parental rights and obligations but considers more sympathetically the 'custodial relationship', 'consent', and 'causal' conceptions of parenthood and ultimately defends a 'stewardship' conception. Finally Austin explores the 'stewardship' view for practical and moral questions related to family life and social policy regarding the family, such as the education of children, the religious upbringing of children and state licensing of parents. |
Contents
| 1 | |
2 Unsuccessful Conceptions of Parenthood | 11 |
3 Successful Conceptions of Parenthood | 33 |
4 Stewardship and Parental Rights | 61 |
5 Stewardship and Parental Obligations | 105 |
| 129 | |
| 137 | |
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able abuse adequate adoptive adults allow Archie argues argument autonomy become belief biological causal cause chapter child choice claim conception of parenthood consent consider custody decisions discussion donors engage example existence facie fact fails father follows freedom fundamental interests genetic gestational give given Gloria grounds harm human impact important incurred individuals intimacy issue Jaycee justified least licensing limited lives means moral obligations moral rights moral status Moreover mother natural necessary objection occur one’s parent-child relationship parental obligations parental rights particular person Philosophy physical positive possess possible practice pregnancy present Press principle problem protect question raise reason regarding reject relational relevant religion religious respect responsible role satisfied seems sense significant social society someone sort standard stewardship strong sufficient true University well-being