Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Naomi Schaefer Riley and Rafael Mangual discuss the complexities of the child welfare system in the U.S. They explore the scope, challenges, and controversial policies surrounding child protection, neglect, and foster care, emphasizing the need for transparency and reform.
Get the best of City Journal, delivered weekly:
city-journal.org/email-alerts
Follow City Journal on X: https://x.com/CityJournal
Naomi Schaefer Riley: https://x.com/NaomiSRiley
Rafael Mangual: https://x.com/Rafa_Mangual
00:00 Introduction to Child Welfare Issues
01:04 Understanding the Child Welfare System
02:34 Scope and Statistics of Child Welfare
05:02 Child Maltreatment Fatalities
06:58 The Seriousness of Neglect
09:28 Controversies Surrounding Child Welfare
12:27 Racial Disparities in Child Welfare
15:57 Policy Proposals and Their Implications
18:31 Challenges in Reporting and Investigation
21:57 The Role of Mandatory Reporters
24:39 The Risks of Removal vs. Inaction
28:42 Research Findings on Foster Care Outcomes
31:24 New York City Child Welfare Developments
35:59 Future Directions for Child Welfare Policy
Naomi Schaefer Riley and Rafael Mangual discuss the complexities of the child welfare system in the U.S. They explore the scope, challenges, and controversial policies surrounding child protection, neglect, and foster care, emphasizing the need for transparency and reform.
Get the best of City Journal, delivered weekly:
city-journal.org/email-alerts
Follow City Journal on X: https://x.com/CityJournal
Naomi Schaefer Riley: https://x.com/NaomiSRiley
Rafael Mangual: https://x.com/Rafa_Mangual
00:00 Introduction to Child Welfare Issues
01:04 Understanding the Child Welfare System
02:34 Scope and Statistics of Child Welfare
05:02 Child Maltreatment Fatalities
06:58 The Seriousness of Neglect
09:28 Controversies Surrounding Child Welfare
12:27 Racial Disparities in Child Welfare
15:57 Policy Proposals and Their Implications
18:31 Challenges in Reporting and Investigation
21:57 The Role of Mandatory Reporters
24:39 The Risks of Removal vs. Inaction
28:42 Research Findings on Foster Care Outcomes
31:24 New York City Child Welfare Developments
35:59 Future Directions for Child Welfare Policy










