THE BOOK OPENS WITH AN EXAMINATION OF THE CHILD'S STATUS WITHIN THE FAMILY UNIT. SUBSEQUENT CHAPTERS REVIEW CANADIAN LAWS CONCERNING CHILDREN, NOT ONLY AS THE LAWS RELATE TO THE FAMILY, BUT AS THEY EMBODY RESPONSES TO THE CHILD'S NEEDS AS AN INDIVIDUAL. INCLUDED ARE CHAPTERS ON FAMILIES IN CONFLICT (GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY, ADOPTION, CHILD WELFARE LAW, CRIMINAL LAW AND CUSTODY); FINANCIAL SUPPORT (DIVORCE LAWS, ESTABLISHMENT OF PARENTAGE, SUPPORT RESOURCES, INCOME TAX AND CHILDREN); CHILDREN'S LEGAL RIGHTS (EMPLOYMENT, SCHOOL, CONTRACTS, ENTITLEMENT TO MONEY, PARTICIPATION AS PARTIES TO CIVIL PROCEEDINGS, VOTING, DRIVING, DRINKING, SMOKING, MAKING A WILL, MARRIAGE, LIABILITY, ETC.); AND CRIME (CRIMES BY AND AGAINST CHILDREN, THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY ADJUDICATION, ETC.). OTHER CHAPTERS DEAL WITH CHILDREN IN THE COURTROOM (TESTIMONY BY CHILDREN, CONFIDENTIALITY, PARENT-CHILD PRIVILEGE); CHILDREN AND EDUCATION (COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE, STUDENT RIGHTS, SPECIAL EDUCATION, ETC.); IMMIGRATION AND THE FAMILY; AND HELPING PROFESSIONS AND RESOURCES (MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, COUNSELORS, INSTITUTIONS, CONSENT TO TREATMENT, PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY, CONFIDENTIALITY, LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF CHILDREN, ETC.). SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION (18 APPENDIXES), AN EXTENSIVE TABLE OF CASES, AN INDEX, AND LISTS OF RELATED READINGS ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)