Framing Public Interventions with Respect to Children as Parent-Empowering

Abstract

Government interventions into the life of the family are typically viewed as intrusions - to protect abused or neglected children, to liberate children, or to provide supervision for children who are beyond the control of their parents. But a more important public role is to provide assistance to parents in order to empower them to promote the best interests of their children. This assistance can come in many forms - material resources, information, and control over third parties who otherwise threaten to undermine parental authority. This essay discusses reframing the way we think about children and the state.