This volume contains articles on three areas of family law that, at the dawn of the 21st century, have provoked passionate discussion. The topics of concern include: (compulsory) arrangements regarding children, registration schemes for same-sex couples (new jurisdictions), and the effectiveness of the pater est rule. The book's contributions are preceded by two introductory articles. The historical introduction addresses the 'cultural constraints argument' which, according to a few legal scholars, prevents both spontaneous and deliberate harmonization of family law. Is family law indeed embedded in unique national (legal) culture? What lessons can be learned from the past? The methodological introduction proffers some general ideas as to how comparative family law is perceived and what it should entail whereby a comparison is made between more recent developments in Europe and the United States.