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State Intervention In Imperfect Families

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  • Peter David Brandon

Abstract

This paper revisits state intervention in families on behalf of children rather than on behalf of parents. Drawing upon the theory of comparative advantage, the study argues that the reported rise in child abuse and neglect results from parents' lacking the absolute minimum levels of skills needed to sustain a family, not from parents' lacking altruism for children. The analysis has implications for child welfare policies and the sorts of welfare programs families should receive, and questions the efficacy of costly child protection programs. Interestingly, applying the theory of comparative advantage to this unfortunate aspect of family life yields similar conclusions to those reached by others. Most significantly, akin to past studies, this study concludes that the state faces an `agency problem' when it intervenes on behalf of maltreated children, because it cannot fully monitor parents judged as incompetent at raising their children.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter David Brandon, 2001. "State Intervention In Imperfect Families," Rationality and Society, , vol. 13(3), pages 285-303, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:13:y:2001:i:3:p:285-303
    DOI: 10.1177/104346301013003001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Becker, Gary S, 1974. "A Theory of Social Interactions," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 82(6), pages 1063-1093, Nov.-Dec..
    2. Currie, Janet & Thomas, Duncan, 1995. "Does Head Start Make a Difference?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 85(3), pages 341-364, June.
    3. Bronars, Stephen G & Grogger, Jeff, 1994. "The Economic Consequences of Unwed Motherhood: Using Twin Births as a Natural Experiment," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 84(5), pages 1141-1156, December.
    4. Olds, D.L. & Henderson Jr., C.R. & Tatelbaum, R. & Chamberlin, R., 1988. "Improving the life-course development of socially disadvantaged mothers: A randomized trial of nurse home visitation," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 78(11), pages 1436-1445.
    5. Gary S. Becker, 1981. "A Treatise on the Family," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number beck81-1, March.
    6. Robert Moffitt, 1994. "Welfare Effects on Female Headship with Area Effects," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 29(2), pages 621-636.
    7. Gary S. Becker & Nigel Tomes, 1994. "Human Capital and the Rise and Fall of Families," NBER Chapters, in: Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis with Special Reference to Education, Third Edition, pages 257-298, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    8. repec:eee:labchp:v:1:y:1986:i:c:p:525-602 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Becker, Gary S & Murphy, Kevin M, 1988. "The Family and the State," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 31(1), pages 1-18, April.
    10. Peter David Brandon, 1999. "The State, The Child, And Imperfect Parenting," Rationality and Society, , vol. 11(4), pages 399-418, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Earner, Ilze, 2010. "Double risk: Immigrant mothers, domestic violence and public child welfare services in New York City," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 288-293, August.

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