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Zervogianni, Eleni --- "The changing concept of ‘family’ and challenges for family law in Greece" [2016] ELECD 193; in Scherpe, M. Jens (ed), "European Family Law Volume II" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2016) 86

Book Title: European Family Law Volume II

Editor(s): Scherpe, M. Jens

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781785363023

Section: Chapter 5

Section Title: The changing concept of ‘family’ and challenges for family law in Greece

Author(s): Zervogianni, Eleni

Number of pages: 22

Abstract/Description:

Greek family law is codified and forms part of the Greek Civil Code. It contains provisions on family relations stricto sensu (especially relations between spouses and between parents and children) as well as on the so-called ‘quasi family relations’, which include protective institutions, such as the judicial assistance of adults who by reason of an impairment or insufficiency of their personal faculties are not in a position to protect their interests, and the judicial administration of the affairs of unknown persons or persons of unknown residence. As family law is sensitive to social change, the relevant provisions of the Greek Civil Code have been amended considerably through the years, in the direction of eliminating religious influence on law, guaranteeing the equality of sexes, enhancing private autonomy, protecting the interests of minors and vulnerable adults, as well as regulating the use of new technologies on human reproduction. Moreover, special legislation has been enacted on particular issues in family law, such as cohabitation of persons of different sex and domestic violence. Since demographics have a substantial influence on the evolution of family law, the following statistical data are of interest. The mean age of first marriage is steadily increasing in Greece. From 23.4 forwomen and 28.1 for men in 1971, it went up to 28.9 for women and 31.8 for men in 2008. In addition, the crude marriage rate has dropped in the last fewdecades, while the divorce rate has increased. A significant percentage of single adults are still living in their parental home.