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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Legitimacy and the politics of status: an abortive legislative change in Sierra Leone
Author:Harrell-Bond, Barbara E.ISNI
Year:1975
Periodical:African Law Studies
Issue:12
Pages:21-58
Language:English
Geographic term:Sierra Leone
Subjects:illegitimate children
law of inheritance
External link:https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/jlpul12&id=25&collection=journals&index=journals/jlpul
Abstract:This paper describes an attempt to pass legislation which would have equalized the status of legitimate and illegitimate children, especially with respect to inheritance rights. The drawers saw it as a means of bringing about harmony between the law and their societal norms. Its proponents viewed it as a means of ridding the society of one of the evils which had resulted from the imposition of a foreign law during colonial rule. Although the attempt to pass the bill was dropped, the effect of the publicity led the professional group to believe that the law had been passed and this belief produced considerable changes in attitudes and behaviour among married couples. Sections: Establishment of the colony; Marriage law; Inheritance law; Illegitimacy: the scope of the problem; The social position of the child born out of wedlock; Women's attitudes towards their husbands' extra marital affairs; The legal status of children born out of wedlock; The attempt to eliminate illegitimacy; Reactions to the proposed legislation; Conclusion. Notes; ref.
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