Provisions (1955), Social Welfare Policy and Services in Social Work Education (1959),

ate director of the Social Work Curriculum Study (1957-1958) and is a contributor to publications in social work and social welfare. ABSTRACT: Basic guarantees of American law for protection of the person against unauthorized control by others, respect for the dignity and rights of the individual, and effective par-ticipation in community life are safeguarded for the child by a special protective status and protective relationship. In his status as a minor, the child is deprived of self-determination and self-management. The guardian, whether parent, adoptive parent, or judicially appointed person, represents the child’s rights and interests in a personal relationship with the child. Studies show, however, that this protective law is almost com-pletely neglected in the actual practice of courts and community social agencies serving children, despite mounting evidence of the effect of improper guardianship in child neglect, abuse