This research examines the treatment of children under Canadian social policy. The findings of this examination are presented in discussions concerning (1) the specifics of contemporary policy, and (2) the essential issues of the policy debate.
CONTEMPORARY CANADIAN SOCIAL POLICYAS IT AFFECTS CHILDREN
Contemporary Canadian social policy concerning children includes programs dealing with three major goals the support of parental abilities to meet the needs of children, substitutes for parental care, and supplements to parental care (Melichercik, 1987). The program specifics are discussed within the context of these goals.
Supporting Parental Abilities to Meet the Needs of Children
Social programs designed to support parental abilities to meet the needs of children include the provision of counseling services in the home, and protective services for abused and neglected children (Melichercik, 1987). The principal purpose of the counseling services is to leave the role of parenting with the parents, but to enhance parental abilities in this context (Hirsch, 1976). While these services are delivered by highly trained professionals, they are provided through a combination of federal, provincial, and private agencies, with the result that delivery is not uniform throughout the country.
Child protective services are intended to guard children against harmful experiences. Where feasible, protective services arrangements keep children in their own homes; however, removal from the home and from parental custody is accomplished when necessary. As is true with respect to counseling services involving children, these services are delivered by highly trained professionals, but they are provided through a combination of federal, provincial, and private agencies, with the result that delivery is not uniform throughout the country.
In the context of protective services for children the Youthful Offenders Act was legislated at t...