The analysis showed that when parents suffered psychological, financial, and pedagogical problems, supervision measures were frequently implemented. Among children, behavioral problems and running away from home were the most frequent reasons for placing them under supervision. More serious measures, such as total removal of parental control or an award of court, occurred in cases characterized by material and emotional neglect, physical abuse, pedagogical problems, or absence of parental authority. In comparing statistics from 1979 and 1988, the Department found that supervision measures were sought more frequently in 1988, but serious measures had been requested more often in 1979. In 1988, the Department seemed less willing to dismiss complaints. The average age of children under supervision dropped dramatically between 1979 and 1988 and cases in 1988 were characterized by more complex and diverse problems. 32 tables, 62 notes, and 4 appendixes