Journal of Family & Adoption Law

Marriage Counseling: A Path to Stronger Relationships

Sapna Sukrut Deo — 2025-08-18

Marriage is a significant commitment that requires continuous effort, understanding, and communication between partners. However, conflicts, misunderstandings, and emotional distance can lead to marital distress, sometimes resulting in separation or divorce. Marriage counseling serves as a professional intervention to help couples navigate challenges, improve communication, and strengthen their bond. This paper explores the importance of marriage counseling, the psychological and legal aspects involved, the role of technology in counseling, and the challenges faced in providing effective marital therapy.

The Problem of Gender Bias in Maintenance and Alimony: A Critical Study of Indian Family Law

Mithun Senthil Kumar — 2025-05-27

The paper examines gender bias in maintenance and alimentary laws in India. While legal provisions such as the HMA [Hindu Marriage Act] and various personal laws appear to be gender neutral on paper, their real-world applications are tied to patriarchal assumptions. Men have been facing social and legal barriers, while women have been the preferred recipients of this provision of law. Through doctrinal analysis, judicial trends, and international comparisons, this research reveals the inconsistencies and systemic gaps that prevent equitable outcomes. It argues that there are social inequalities and judicial arbitrariness. This paper also proposes legal and social reforms intended for fairness. In doing so, it envisions family law to evolve with societal changes.

Abortion Law the Fundamental Right of Women: A Comparative Study Between India and United Sta

Malobika Bose — 2025-05-20

Abortion continues to be one of the most hotly contested legal and moral topics in the world, with a wide range of political, religious, and cultural viewpoints. This study compares and contrasts the abortion laws in the US and India, looking at how they affect women's basic rights to healthcare and reproductive autonomy. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, which governs abortion in India, has a comparatively permissive framework, but societal stigma and the lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure make it difficult to implement. The United States, on the other hand, has seen a change from federal protection under Roe v. Wade (1973) to a state-regulated model after Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organisation (2022), which has resulted in notable differences in access to abortions between states. The study investigates the ways in which sociocultural elements, legislative frameworks, and court rulings affect the right to an abortion in both nations. India has a consistent legal system, however there are still issues with enforcement. However, because of statelevel restrictions, access to abortion varies greatly in the US, disproportionately affecting underprivileged populations. This study emphasises the necessity of a well-rounded legal strategy that protects women's reproductive rights while attending to moral and public health issues. This study adds to the conversation on reproductive justice by examining laws, significant court decisions, and sociopolitical factors. It provides suggestions for enhancing legislative frameworks in both India and the US and emphasizes the significance of policy changes to protect women's rights and access to safe abortion services.

Cruelty against Men in India: A Focus on Partner Abuse, Divorce, and the Need for Legal Reform

Sukhpreet Kaur — 2025-05-18

The issue of cruelty against men by their partners remains a largely overlooked and major reported problem in India. Deeply entrenched in societal biases and gender stereotypes, this article explores the various dimensions of male victimization in intimate relationships, with a specific focus on divorce cases and the gaps of India legal frameworks. Despite increasing recognition of gender equality in legal and societal discourses, the existing laws including those addressing domestic violence remain overwhelmingly focused on protecting women, leaving male victims without adequate redressed mechanisms. Cruelty, encompassing emotional, physical, psychological and financial abuse are often dismissed or stigmatized when men are the victims. This gender bias is particularly evident in divorce proceedings where men frequently face challenges in disproving cruelty or are subjected to counter allegations of harassment the misuse of laws like in erstwhile section 498A IPC further exacerbate
issues often leading to emotional and financial distress for men. The article underscores the urgent need for gender neutral laws that recognizes and addresses the suffering of all victims, irrespective of gender. Drawing on international practices from countries such as UK, Canada and Australia, it highlights the benefits of inclusive legal frameworks and support system for male victims furthermore, it advocates for safeguard against the misuse of laws and the establishment of unbiased mechanism for
investigating and adjudicating cases of cruelty. The broader societal implications of ignoring male victimization including its psychological and financial impacts are to be examined. The article concludes with the call for legal reform in educational initiative and societal awareness to ensure justice and dignity of men while maintaining protection for women by addressing this critical gap. India can take a significant step towards achieving true gender equality and a more inclusive justice system.

From Sacred Bond to Consent Violation: The Call to Criminalize Marital Rape

Somya Chaubey — 2025-04-30

From Sacred Bond to Consent Violation explores the urgent issue of marital rape and questions why Indian law still ignores consent within marriage. Rooted in colonial-era thinking, the marital rape exemption clashes with constitutional rights and India’s international commitments. The article examines the legal, emotional, and social stakes for women whose suffering remains hidden. While concerns like misuse and marital sanctity are cited in defense of the exemption, it challenges whether
these outweigh a woman’s right to dignity and safety. Ultimately, it calls for a moral and legal reckoning, urging recognition of married women as individuals with inalienable rights.

The Stigma Surrounding Adoption: A Social Work and Psychological Analysis

Bhupal Bhattacharya — 2025-02-16

Adoption serves as a crucial mechanism for providing children with stable homes and families. However, despite its benefits, adoption continues to be surrounded by significant social stigma. This paper explores the stigma associated with adoption from both social work and psychological perspectives. It discusses how cultural attitudes, societal norms, and media representations contribute to misconceptions about adoption. The role of social workers in addressing these stigmas through education, advocacy, and support for adoptive families is examined. Furthermore, the psychological impact of stigma on adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families is analyzed. Understanding these factors is essential in promoting more positive perceptions of adoption and supporting individuals affected by their stigma.