The Concept of Child Advocacy
JOHN F. MCDERMOTT JR. M.D.1,
WILLIAM M. BOLMAN M.D.2,
ALFRED M. ARENSDORF M.D.3, , and
RICHARD A. MARKOFF M.D.3
1 Professor and Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Leahi Hospital, 3675 Kilauea Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
2 Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Leahi Hospital, 3675 Kilauea Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Leahi Hospital, 3675 Kilauea Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
The authors examine the concept of child advocacy in historical perspective, describing its antecedents as reflected in law, education, welfare, and child labor. Although it is not yet realized in practice, child advocacy seems to represent the recognition by society that the developmental needs of its children are so important that they must be ensured as rights to be promoted and protected.
