Legal images of the family in the United States: An exercise in using law as data

The primary concern of the sociology of law properly has been the analysis of legal processes, professions, and institutions. Most sociologists who are not sociologists of law do not realize the usefulness of the substantive law as a source of data concerning their areas of interest. The utility of law as a source of data is illustrated with examples from recent law affecting the family. These examples are used to suggest a model of the relationship between the family as a unit, its members as individuals, and the larger society. In this model, the primary focus is on individuals but emphasis is given to the family as an important source of individual rights and expectations.