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This book explores the growing interest in the way in which the state polices, and ought to police, families failing in their responsibilities. Reflects on the increasing social science research and growing legal system involvement in the 'problem' of failing families particularly where children are involved Considers topics ranging from the state's attempts to promote responsible parenting by training parents and by punishing them and their children for their children's antisocial behaviour through to its enthusiasm for creating frameworks for better substituted parenting (through fostering and adoption) Evaluates problems from the perspective of both empirical evidence and the practical and ideological ambitions that government policy is attempting to pursue Brings together commentators from a variety of disciplines who all offer a fresh critique on these matters