Society's efforts to deal with 'problem' children have changed dramatically over the centuries. Once viewed as a relatively simple and general sort of problem, involving disobedient, idle, or stubborn children, modern experience has uncovered a complex set of differentiated problems, such as mental disorders, delinquency, and educational handicaps. What was once a parental or community response to these children (e.g., corporal punishment and/or public humiliation) has given way to highly specialized responses, such as juvenile courts, special schools, and juvenile institutions. Once an informal matter of custom, tradition, or common law, the handling of a 'problem' child has come to be dictated by complex statutes, regulations, and public policies adopted and enforced by both local and Federal levels of government. Child and family mental health continues to evolve and will continue to be a reflection of a variety of changing social needs and concerns. Among other things, there is a need to strike an appropriate balance between parental rights and responsibilities, family privacy and state intervention, and paternalism and public protection. Also, there is a need to respond to the changing nature of families and communities and adapt to the political vicissitudes of economy. 48 references.