Child protection has long been a hot topic in politics and society. Numerous media reports about critical incidents in families and the alleged failures of responsible authorities regularly stir the emotions of those who feel capable of judgment – and this includes virtually every observer. One political initiative follows another, and child welfare endangerment remains a persistent issue in professional circles. Yet, despite numerous discussions, there is still a significant need for clarification regarding how the child protection system functions, what forces are at play within it, and how its recent developments should be interpreted. This book illustrates what can be gained by taking a bird's-eye view of how a society attempts to tackle the challenges of child protection under current conditions.