This book investigates the official ideologies of marriage and divorce in England by analyzing the intersection of legal frameworks, policy, and judicial practice. John Eekelaar, a noted scholar in socio-legal studies, utilizes historical data and contemporary policy documents to evaluate how the English legal system manages marital dissolution. The work provides a critical assessment of financial distribution upon divorce and examines the legal prioritization of children's rights within these proceedings.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the socio-legal evolution of family law in England. The prose is noted for its academic rigor and its ability to synthesize complex policy shifts into a coherent historical narrative.