Policy analysis
In your analysis, discuss one existing law, or an area of law as it exists today, and as it creates or reinforces social norms and boundaries. For instance, you could write about reproduction, elder law and policy, marriage law, or could focus on economic or criminal justice policy as they shape families. Respond to the following questions in your analysis: a) How does this area of law work? b) What critiques or observations do you have about this area of law? c) If you were meeting with policymakers and recommending reforms to this area of law (or if you ran for office ourself), what changes would you want to make? You are not required to integrate and cite specific materials from the class, but will likely find it helpful in supporting your discussion. Your policy analysis should be a minimum of 800 words (no maximum). See the assignment guidelines for formatting instructions.
Sample Solution
The majority of states limit people to one living husband or wife at a time and will not issue marriage licenses to anyone with a living spouse. Once an individual is married, the person must be legally released from the relationship by either death, divorce, or annulment before he or she may remarry. Other limitations on individuals include age and close relationship. In 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which, for federal purposes, defined marriage as “only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife” (1 U.S.C. § 7). DOMA further provided that “No State, territory, or possession of the United States, or Indian tribe, shall be required to give effect to any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other State, territory, possession, or tribe respecting a relationship between persons of the same sex that is treated as a marriage under the laws of such other State, territory, possession, or tribe, or a right or claim arising from such relationship” (28 U.S.C. § 1738C).
