EVIDENCE OF NEGLECT IS FOUND IN HEALTH STATISTICS, IN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN COMMITTED TO FOSTER CARE, AND IN THE FACT THAT, ALTHOUGH CHILDREN CONSTITUTE ONE-THIRD OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION, THEY RECEIVE ONLY 10 PERCENT OF THE FUNDS SPENT IN COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS. THE NOTION THAT CHILDREN ARE GRANTED LOW PRIORITY ALSO IS REFLECTED IN DAYCARE POLICIES AND IN THE CONTINUING PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE. THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION UPHOLDING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN THE SCHOOLS MAKES A MOCKERY OF WHATEVER ACCOMPLISHMENTS THE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MOVEMENT HAS ACHIEVED. THE QUESTION ARISES OF WHETHER CHILDREN ARE THE VICTIMS OF A BREAKDOWN IN PARENTAL VALUES OR OF SOME OUTSIDE SOCIOECONOMIC FORCE. IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT CHILDREN ARE INFLUENCED BY SUCH FACTORS AS THE LENGTH OF THE WORKDAY IN U.S. INDUSTRY, THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY, THE AVAILABILITY OF FOOD STAMPS, AND THE EXISTENCE OF SATISFACTORY DAYCARE ARRANGEMENTS, HOWEVER, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. A NUMBER OF STUDIES SUGGEST AN OMINOUS CHANGE IN PARENTAL PRIORITES. FOR EXAMPLE, A 1976-77 SURVEY OF U.S. FAMILIES FOUND THAT PARENTS ARE BECOMING LESS CHILD-ORIENTED AND MORE SELF-ORIENTED, AND ARE QUESTIONING THE IDEA OF MAKING SACRIFICES IN ORDER TO GIVE THEIR CHILDREN THE BEST. THE KNOWLEDGE TO CORRECT A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS AFFECTING CHILDREN EXISTS, BUT THE NATION LACKS THE MOTIVATION TO IMPLEMENT THE KNOWLEDGE ON MORE THAN A TOKEN BASIS. TOO OFTEN SOCIAL PROGRAMS ARE BASED ON UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OR SOCIAL FADS. WHAT IS NEEDED IS A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE COMPONENTS OF SUCH A SYSTEM SHOULD BE IMPROVED DELIVERY OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE, REALLOCATION OF SOCIAL SERVICE BUDGETS TO GIVE CHILDREN THEIR FAIR SHARE, IMPROVED PARENT EDUCATION, AND EXPANSION OF HOMEMAKER SERVICES AND CHILD CARE OPTIONS. IT IS ALSO NECESSARY TO RETHINK ATTITUDES TOWARD CHILDREARING. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS SHOULD BE EXPANDED AND INFANT DAYCARE IMPROVED, BUT IT IS ALSO NECESSARY TO REVISE NATIONAL WORK POLICIES TO ENABLE PARENTS TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN IF THEY WISH, AND TO OFFER PART-PAID MATERNITY LEAVE OPTIONS FOR MOTHERS WHO WISH TO STAY AT HOME DURING THEIR CHILDREN'S EARLY INFANCY. SOCIAL POLICY SHOULD SUPPORT, NOT INHIBIT, PARENTS WHO WANT TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME. TO ACHIEVE THESE ENDS, A NEW LOBBY OF PARENTS AND PROFESSIONAL CHILD ADVOCATES IS NEEDED. (LKM)