NCJ Number
58683
Journal
American Bar Association Journal Volume: 65 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 920-923
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A JUDGE OF THE FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK ADVOCATES AID TO CHILDREN PLACED IN JEOPARDY BY THE ALCOHOLISM AND DISABILITIES OF THEIR PARENTS.
Abstract
LIMITED, BUT FEASIBLE, MEASURES ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST CHILDREN WHO SUFFER FROM PARENTAL MALTREATMENT BEFORE THEY ARE SO SEVERELY DAMAGED THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO PASS THAT DAMAGE ON TO THE COMMUNITY. THE JUVENILE JUSTICE STANDARDS PROJECT ARGUES THAT GOVERNMENTAL INTRUSION INTO FAMILY LIFE MAY ALREADY BE TOO WIDESPREAD, AND THAT THE COURT'S JURISDICTION IS DISCRIMINATORY BECAUSE NEGLECT CASES GENERALLY INVOLVE POOR FAMILIES. HOWEVER, THE RELATION OF SOCIAL ILLS TO POVERTY SHOULD NOT BE AN EXCUSE TO IGNORE THEIR TREATMENT. ALTHOUGH NEGLECTING PARENTS ARE USUALLY THEMSELVES VICTIMS OF DEPRIVATION, THEY SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO ABUSE THEIR CHILDREN. PARENTS WHO REQUEST ASSISTANCE CAN USUALLY FIND HELP FROM STATE AGENCIES, BUT IN MANY CASES THE AID TO NEGLECTED CHILDREN COMES AFTER A THIRD PARTY'S REPORT OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE. A SUSBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN LIVE WITH A MENTALLY ILL PARENT, OR A PARENT WHO IS OVERWHELMED BY THE RETURN FROM A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY AND IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE CHILD CARE. CHRONIC PHYSICAL ILLNESS, ALCOHOLISM, OR DRUG ABUSE MAY ALSO PREVENT A PARENT FROM PROVIDING PROPER SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOSPITALS REPORT THE DETOXIFICATION OF PARENTS WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN, SO THAT CHILD PROTECTIVE WORKERS MAY ASSIST THE CHILDREN AND INTERVENE PRIOR TO THE FORMATION OF A CIRCUMSTANCE WHICH COULD CAUSE NEGLECT OR JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS RECOGNIZED THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN TO HAVE ADEQUATE CARE, AND HAS PERMITTED SOCIAL WORKERS TO PROVIDE THAT CARE IN APPROPRIATE SITUATIONS. (TWK).