Recently, there has been an attempt to frame the growing national movement aimed at reducing unnecessary family separations as a threat to child safety. However, the narrative being sold is not reflective of reality—it’s quite alarming. This fear drives systems that often end up harming the very children they claim to protect.
The truth is, children thrive best in their family environments. Unfortunately, the child welfare system has long neglected and disrupted poor families rather than offering the needed support to keep them together safely.
Federal data indicates that a whopping 75% of child abuse cases involve neglect rather than outright abuse. Many of these cases are often misclassified as neglect due to symptoms of poverty—think inadequate housing, food insecurity, or missed medical appointments. These aren’t deliberate acts of neglect, but rather a lack of resources.
Moreover, by age 18, over a third of all children in the U.S. will have interacted with child protection services, and for Black children, this statistic is alarmingly higher, projected to exceed 50%. These investigations are intrusive and traumatic, frequently resulting in unwarranted separations, yet there’s scant evidence that this approach leads to better outcomes.
In fact, research reveals the opposite. A study published in Jama Pediatrics found that children placed in foster care were actually more likely to become involved with the criminal justice system than their peers who had mental health issues but remained at home. The study’s authors noted that foster care arrangements sometimes exacerbate the already present harms these children face.
Critics often highlight tragic child fatalities to justify the current punitive system, yet data offers a more hopeful perspective. The incidence of child deaths from abuse has declined over the past year, remaining stable for five years prior. Experts attribute this to essential preventative measures: early intervention programs, better risk assessment tools, and improved access to basic necessities like housing and food.
Research from Chapin Hall confirms that every extra $1,000 spent on public benefits for individuals living in poverty correlates with nearly an 8% decrease in child abuse fatalities. Such findings suggest that investing in families can indeed save lives, rather than increasing surveillance.
The harsh reality is that we have created a surveillance state around families in poverty, falsely labeled as “protection.” The mandated reporting system at the core of child welfare policy is flawed, leading to overreporting of cases. In 2019, of the 4.4 million mandated reporters, 2 million cases were screened out, indicating no justification for investigation.
Often, the idea that family support and child safety are mutually exclusive is misleading. Both can coexist to help families avoid government intervention while protecting children from purported harm. This could involve services like home visits, childcare support, and tax credits. Data shows that child abuse rates decrease when families receive basic support.
Consider this: in states that implemented an expanded child tax credit in 2021, both food insecurity and financial stress significantly reduced.
Furthermore, national research from Chapin Hall showed that offering concrete supports like rent and utility assistance resulted in decreased involvement with child protection services.
High-quality home visiting programs, such as nurse-family partnerships, reportedly led to reductions in child abuse of up to 48%.
This isn’t mere ideology—it’s backed by evidence.
Let’s be clear: there are indeed heartbreaking cases of abuse, and safety sometimes requires removing children from harmful situations. However, to characterize these as the norm would be misleading. The majority of families entangled in the system are simply experiencing difficulties; they are not inherently dangerous and should receive support instead of separation.
Moreover, it’s crucial to acknowledge the racial disparities in reporting, investigation, and separation rates. Research indicates that even when controlling for income and claim types, Black children are disproportionately removed from their homes compared to white children—a clear indication of bias ingrained in decision-making processes.
The reality of child welfare in America is that it isn’t solely about ensuring safety for all children. By shifting from a surveillance model to one focused on support and collaboration, we can best protect our children. When families receive what they truly need, it benefits everyone.
Dr. Melissa Merrick, President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America, and Dr. Jody Levison Johnson, President and CEO of Social Current.
