Children and the State: Whose Problem Book

In the consciousness of politicians, professionals and the public, children and young people loom increasingly large as a challenge to be faced. This problematic image includes not only the inevitable and traditional difficulties faced by the young in negotiating a role in society, but also an increasing tendency for children to be problematized, even vilified, and for state intervention in their lives to reflect this trend. Indeed, the increasing scale and scope of central and local government policy responses to the age group can sometimes result, both intentionally and unintentionally, in addtional challenges for children to overcome.