International Yearbook for Legal Anthropology, Volume 7

Book excerpt: Volume 7 of Law and Anthropology brings together a collection of studies that discuss legal problems raised by cultural differences between people and the law to which they are subject. This volume developed from the idea that it can be useful to consider current discussions in various legal systems facing issues of cultural difference that cannot be regarded as legal problems related to indigenous societies alone. The book focuses on contradiction between national law and complex and diverse kinship structures, which are essential for the cultural identity of both indigenous groups and cultural minorities. The social construction of gender relations and gender conflicts is an important theme in many essays. Some of the essays examine the area of conflict between cultural practices and universal human rights standards. The demand for cultural rights may collide with human rights standards, especially with the principles of gender equality. This volume will be of great interest to academics and to all those with practical involvement in the field of cultural pluralism. Previously published by VWGO Verlag in Austria, Law and Anthropology will be published and distributed by Martinus Nijhoff Publishers from Volume 7 onwards.