Unconditional Love, Some Implications for the Law.

This article examines the concept of unconditional love as embedded within various areas of positive law, arguing that legal norms often reflect societal expectations that certain familial and intimate relationships involve durable, loyal, and self-sacrificing love. It identifies two ways law incorporates unconditional love: by enabling individuals to voluntarily express it (e.g., through prison visitation rights and spousal testimonial privileges) and by imposing duties that may conflict with personal choice (e.g., parental support obligations for adult children and restrictive abortion laws). The analysis highlights how these legal frameworks both accommodate and mandate forms of unconditional love, raising questions about their ethical implications, potential for exploitation, and disproportionate burdens on marginalized populations. The article calls for greater legal-theoretical attention to unconditional love to better understand its normative and political roles in family governance and social justice.