Abstract
The Dutch child protection system has been the target of harsh criticism in recent decades. The legitimacy of child protection services seems to have eroded. In this article, we analyze this changing legitimacy of child protection against the background of declining parental authority and in relation to the disappearance of positive pedagogical ideologies and the mainly bureaucratic response of child protection agencies. Two recent inquiries in the Netherlands on child sexual abuse within child protection-related services have emphasized the position of children as vulnerable victims of negative pedagogical practices, mirroring a general trend of “victimization”. It is concluded that reinforcement of the professional role of child protection workers may be a start towards building new trust in child protection and establishing a newfound legitimacy.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Contemporary Developments in Child Protection |
Subtitle of host publication | Policy Changes and Challenges |
Place of Publication | Basel |
Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute |
Pages | 726-741 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Volume | 1 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-3038421184 |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |