The underlying thesis of the textbook is that rights and duties of children should be examined from a substantially expanded perspective. The focus is on what has been accomplished through legislation and judicial action since the promulgation of juvenile justice standards and on conflicts between the authority of the family, the state, and the child. Textbook chapters specifically explore the issue of protection versus autonomy for minors, the allocation of power over children (parental rights and state authority), children as legal persons, children's rights and school authority, custody, family intervention to protect children, foster care and its changing role, the termination of parental rights, changing juvenile justice system perspectives, and differential treatment of juvenile and adult offenders. Legislation pertinent to children in the legal system is contained in an appendix.