THE SOCIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE REFORM OF MARRIAGE SYSTEMS

A sociol'al analysis of the law of Jul 13, 1965 which reformed the French marriage legislation, in 7 sections. (1) MYTHES ET GROUPES DE PRESSION (Myths and Pressure Groups)-analyzes the myths of feminine dependence & feminine transcendence as reflected in literature & public att's; discusses pressure groups in favor of reforming the marriage laws, eg the Union of French Women with 100,000 members & the smaller but more radical Women's Civic & Soc Union; & reviews previous legislation. (2) LE ROLE DES SAVANTS (The Role of Scientists)-stresses the role of the sociol of the fam & the sociol of fam law. (3) LE RECOURS A LA SOCIOLOGIE JURIDIQUE (Appeal to Sociology of Law)-treats Maitre Grimaud's historical study of marriage contracts & the large-scale survey organized in 1963 by the French Instit of PO on att's towards marriage. (4) LE CHOIX DU REGIME (The Choice of System)- reports on the growing unpopularity of the systems of marriage based on the dowry & on the fact that the absence of the community of property leads to their being dropped by the law. (5) L'ATTACHEMENT AU PRINCIPE COMMUNAUTAIRE (Attachment to the Community Principle)-indicates that this preference, confirmed by the Instit's enquiry, is accepted by the law. (6) STATUT ET ROLE DE LA FEMME MARRIEE (Status and Role of the Married Woman)-argues that the law represents a compromise between the Instit's finding that 'there exists a consensus on the need of recognizing the equality of the 2 spouses &, in particular, giving the wife the power to administer her own property,' & the principle of the community of property which is traditionally interpreted as sign of the husband's domination. (7) APRES LA REFORME (After the Reform)-states that it is too early to judge the effects, but there are already voices of feminine discontent & signs that traditionalist forces, such as bankers & lawyers, are attempting to block the law's practical effects. I. lancnas.