History of The Family, Youth and Child Protection

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the development of perceptions about youth, families and the child protection system within a historical framework. By tracing the changes in these concepts we can begin to understand how current perceptions have become embedded in Western culture. There are two benefits to engaging in this process. First, by peeling away the layers of “fact” associated with youth, families, and child protection we can see that they are social constructions developed from the middle and upper class concerns about the state. Second, this process will determine that perceptions of youth, families, and child protection have not remained stagnant, as they are subject to changing societal, political, and economic environments.