Juvenile institutions were developed in the 19th century. In the United States they prompted an extension of the parens patriae doctrine, which provided a basis for the creation of the juvenile court a century ago. The protective orientation of the court was intended for both juvenile delinquents and children in danger. Since the 1960s, procedural guarantees for delinquents and de-institutionalization of children in danger have created a clear distinction between the two groups. Diversion has introduced an alternative to the court process. Policies aimed at young offenders have moved gradually in the direction of the adult criminal court model. The early American model of a children's court had a major influence on the orientation of juvenile courts not only in North America but also in Europe. The article opines that European countries' civilizations would not progress by a similar imitation of current North American trends toward moving minors into adult courts and institutions and having juvenile courts that differ less from adult courts. Notes, references