Une convergence divergente

Abstract

The high incidence of breakups, along with the liberalization of divorce law, have occurred in most European and North-American countries for the last decades. This article assesses the scope of these social and legal changes regarding class and gender inequalities. This analysis is based on empirical studies that were collectively conducted over several years in France and Quebec (Canada). In both jurisdictions, judicial policies play a major part in the contemporary government of intimacy. However, France and Quebec differ regarding the intersection of class and gender inequalities. Such national patterns are due to limited cross-national circulation, which leads to a "divergent convergence" between these two contexts.

Keywords

• inequality
• international comparison
• gender
• law
• family