Family law:

1.What were the rights of fathers at common law?

2.When and why did mothers become the preferred custodial parent?

3.What is the best interest standard?

4.What factors is a judge likely to consider when determining best interest?

5.What criticisms are commonly made about the best interest standard?

6.What are the pros and cons of basing a custody decision on the stated preference of a child?

7.What impact does witnessing spousal abuse have on children? For what other reasons do courts take intra-spousal violence into account when deciding custody?

8.What are the two main approaches that jurisdictions take with respect to domestic violence in the context of a custody dispute?

9.What did the Supreme Court say in Palmore about the role of race in custody disputes?

10.Post-Palmore, can race and culture ever be taken into account when deciding custody? Explain.