26 Part One Children in Today’s World
religious and moral teachings,
as well as education and health
care choices. The state can come
between a parent and child only if
the court feels the child needs more
protection. For example, the state
may require foster care.
Each state can make laws and
policies to protect children. For
example, laws exist regarding school
attendance, child labor, and illegal
drug sales to help protect children
and society. State laws protect
children from the results of their
own lack of judgment. For example,
young children are not responsible
legally for their contracts. Children
are treated differently in court than
adults. The state can make laws to
develop child welfare services. For
instance, a state offi ce monitors the
quality of child care programs.
Children have gained rights,
too. Examples are the rights of
due process and fair treatment in
schools and juvenile and family
courts. In some states, children
may receive medical help without
parental consent.
Laws can be enacted on the
local level, too. An example is
a curfew law. In addition, local
citizen groups often become
advocates (people who actively
support a cause) of children’s
rights. These groups attempt
to get needed laws passed and
notify the appropriate people
when it seems a child’s rights
have been violated.
To Work with Children
In the past, people thought
all the knowledge and skills that
adults need for child-related
careers—including parenting—
came naturally. Many felt just being
raised in a family teaches adults all
they need to know about children
and child care skills.
Today, experts know that
understanding children requires
careful study. Changes continue to
take place in society and in families.
These changes require people to
know more about children’s growth
and development than what they
observe in their own families.
Adults with child-related
careers should study children.
Some careers focus on only
one area of children’s needs.
For example, a school cook
is concerned with children’s
nutritional needs, while a teacher
may focus more on intellectual
needs. However, the child is a
whole person. Anyone preparing
for a child-related career should
know about all aspects of children’s
growth and development. Learning
more about children enables
workers in child-related careers to
provide better care for children.
Child care workers work with young children who
are not yet in school. They may also work with
older children before or after school. Child care
workers meet children’s basic needs and provide
activities to stimulate growth and development.
Education: Educational requirements for child care
workers vary greatly for each state. Requirements
may include a Child Development Associate (CDA)
credential or a bachelor’s degree.
Job Outlook: Future employment opportunities are
expected to grow faster than the average for all
occupations.
Child Care Worker