'Big Love?' The Recognition of Customary Marriages in South Africa

13 Pages Posted: 19 May 2008

See all articles by Penelope Andrews

Penelope Andrews

New York Law School; New York Law School

Abstract

This Comment contextualizes the issue of polygamous marriages within the South African constitutional paradigm, one committed unequivocally to the principle of equality. This Comment analyzes how South African law, European in origin, had to incorporate the laws and institutions of indigenous communities within the national legal framework, as part of the overall transformative legal project underway in the country since 1994. By focusing on the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, this Comment examines such incorporation, while questioning its effect on the overall project of constitutionalism, human rights, and equality.

Keywords: Women's Rights, Human Rights, Constitutional Law

JEL Classification: K10, K19, K40, K33, K39

Suggested Citation

Andrews, Penelope and Andrews, Penelope, 'Big Love?' The Recognition of Customary Marriages in South Africa. Washington and Lee Law Review, Vol. 64, No. 4, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1134001

Penelope Andrews (Contact Author)

New York Law School ( email )

185 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013
United States
212-431-2351 (Phone)

New York Law School ( email )

185 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
322
Abstract Views
3,026
Rank
170,784
PlumX Metrics