The role of the family in American society is important in our Nation's history and tradition.
Society presumes that parents want to and do act in their children's best interest.
Based on that assumption, parents have a right to rear their children if they are willing and able to protect them. Therefore, when parents cannot meet their children's needs and protect their children from harm, society has a responsibility to intervene to protect the health and welfare of children. Any intervention into family life on behalf of children must be guided by the legal base for action, strong philosophical underpinnings, and sound professional standards for practice. This chapter describes the philosophical tenets on which the community's responsibility for child protection is based. Philosophical Tenets Communities should develop and implement programs to strengthen families and prevent the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.