The New Economic Theory of the Family": Critical Notes by a Lawyer

Abstract

The article gives the author’s assessment of modern approaches of economists to the family and family relations. The study was based on the "new economic theory of the family", at the origins of which was the American economist G. Becker. The article notes that a purely economic approach to the family and family relations ignores the subjective element, makes the approach to love and altruism, as the initial elements of family relations, extremely reductive, not to mention the use of economic terminology (value, benefit, efficiency, rarity, etc.). to family law phenomena. As a conclusion, it is emphasized that the arguments of economists are very significant for taking into account the share of a spouse who does not work, but keeps a household, when dividing property during a divorce, when determining the amount of alimony, etc. However, outside of property relations, the economic approach does little to give both law and other humanitarian disciplines.