Nowadays there are many variations in what constitutes a couple or family compared to many years ago. Long ago the idea of ​​a “nuclear family” was considered the norm; it consisted of the conventional husband, wife and children. But as our society has progressed over the years, this definition has become less conventional and criticisms have been made, this definition of "family" did not take into account gay unions, soul parents, nor did it recognize the prevalence of the extended family . The definition of family has changed over time, as have the socially defined roles of mothers and fathers. Situations where divorces and separations occur within these different families occur and many times these difficult situations can involve children, which can make an already difficult situation even more problematic. There are pieces of legislation in place that aim to protect the best interests of a child during the time his or her parents are divorcing, but sometimes these avenues can be more problematic and ultimately destroy unions while other avenues of dispute resolution disputes such as mediation, albeit with its criticisms, helps keep relationships going as it provides an opportunity to make peaceful and mutual agreements in a more relaxed environment. In the Commonwealth of Australia's Constitution Act s 51, the powers of the Commonwealth Parliament to make laws relating to family law, it states: "Parliament shall, subject to the Constitution, make laws for peace, order and the good government of the Commonwealth with respect to: (xxi) Marriage: (xxii) Divorce and matrimonial cases; and relating thereto, parental rights and custody and protection of information...... half of the document ..... .family law, 4th edition, Lexis Nexis, AustraliaMcDonald, P 1984, Can The Family Survive? - Changes in Australia, Discussion Paper No. 11, Australian Institute of Family Studies, accessed 10 April 2012 http://www.aifs .gov.au/institute/pubs/dp11.htmlCommonwealth of Australia Constitution Act s 51, prepared 2003, accessed 3 April 2012, http:// fedlaw.gov.au/comlaw/comlaw.nsf/440c19285821b109ca256f3a001d59b7/57dea3835d797364ca256f9d0 078c087/$FILE/ ConstitutionAct.pdfConsolidated Acts of the Commonwealth, Family Law Act 1975, Australasian Legal Information Institute (Austlii), http https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/fla1975114/Goode v Goode ( 2006) FamCA 1346 (http://www.familylawwebguide.com.au/attachment.php?id=43&keep_session=21863255)Marriage Act 1961 (Cth)Family Law Act 1975(Cth)• s 60I• s 60CC• s 60CC ( 3)(a)• s 60CE• 61DA• s 65DAA