Citation

Garbarino J. Int. J. Child Maltreat. 2018; 1(1): 11-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s42448-018-0001-3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In considering the morality of public policy, including child protection policy, one must go beyond the logic of the content underlying moral judgments. It is at least as important to discuss the breadth of the circle of care--the scope of application of norms of human dignity, as illustrated by human rights law. In essence, we must exercise due care in determining not only what human decency demands but also to whom the Golden Rule applies. This point was vividly illustrated by the Trump administration's barbaric policy of separation of parents and children as a deterrent to illegal immigration to the United States. In building more sensible and sensitive child protection policy, we must remain vigilant in affirming the humanity of children in general and, in particular, those who live in exceptionally difficult circumstances or whose families are in groups especially vulnerable to injustice.

Language: en

Keywords

Child maltreatment; Circle of caring; Evolutionary psychology; Family separation; Immigration