Article on the Mutual Recognition of Parenthood in the EU

Development summary

Víctor Hugo Ramírez García’s article in the JCMS Journal of Common Market Studies analyses the European Union proposal on the mutual recognition of parenthood as a case through which to examine how European integration proceeds in politically sensitive fields such as family law. Based on a framing analysis of institutional documents, parliamentary debates, Council negotiations and interviews, it finds that children’s rights were mobilised as a central frame in the legislative process and that Member States acted not only as legal gatekeepers but also as custodians of domestic political equilibria.