4 ms·

I worked as an advocate (lobbyist, really) on child welfare among other issues for 20+ years. Time and again, local/city government agencies including schools i

I worked as an advocate (lobbyist, really) on child welfare among other issues for 20+ years. Time and again, local/city government agencies including schools ignored mandated reporter laws. The point of most such laws in the US is to report suspicion of abuse or neglect. NOT to have the answer to the question. But to report suspicion. And as someone who worked in the field for a very short time but knew a lot about individual cases and cases generally (as a result of my advocacy work and that my husband was a police officer for 20+ years), the point of the child welfare system is to protect kids. If someone sees a child alone in the car, how are they to know how long the kid has been there or how long they will be alone? I've reported people who have left their kids in a locked running car. I'd do it again. Should child welfare agencies inform people who are reported for abuse/neglect? Of course they should. It infuriates me that this doesn't happen. Similarly, should there be a review of what constitutes abuse and neglect? Of course there should be. If norms change, if child rearing changes, of course review definitions and punishments.

hedora 4y ago
I'm offended by the idea that guilt should be based on "norms," not on actual endangerment, or reckless behavior. In one community, maybe all the 10 year olds smoke hash with their dealer parents. In another, all kids are 100% kept out of sunlight until they're three or four. (Both are real world examples.). Allowing people to be prosecuted (or not) to arbitrary, unwritten standards like these is inviting abuse.
mindslight 4y ago
> If someone sees a child alone in the car, how are they to know how long the kid has been there or how long they will be alone? Mu. It's not your right to be able to audit every bit of other people's business. If you don't know, then the proper action is inaction. If you have actual knowledge of a specific problem (eg a kid looking actually distressed due to being too hot), then by all means call it in and/or take action yourself. But in general, your vague worry of "what if" is not others' responsibility to assuage.

hedora 4y ago

I'm offended by the idea that guilt should be based on "norms," not on actual endangerment, or reckless behavior. In one community, maybe all the 10 year olds smoke hash with their dealer parents. In another, all kids are 100% kept out of sunlight until they're three or four. (Both are real world examples.). Allowing people to be prosecuted (or not) to arbitrary, unwritten standards like these is inviting abuse.

mindslight 4y ago

> If someone sees a child alone in the car, how are they to know how long the kid has been there or how long they will be alone? Mu. It's not your right to be able to audit every bit of other people's business. If you don't know, then the proper action is inaction. If you have actual knowledge of a specific problem (eg a kid looking actually distressed due to being too hot), then by all means call it in and/or take action yourself. But in general, your vague worry of "what if" is not others' responsibility to assuage.