Ep 14. The Child Savers

The Child Savers is the fourteenth episode of the third season of the acclaimed documentary series Frontline. The episode explores the controversial practice of removing at-risk children from their homes and placing them in foster care or institutions, with the intention of protecting them from abuse and neglect.

Through interviews with social workers, lawyers, and advocates on both sides of the issue, The Child Savers examines the complex and often emotional debates surrounding these policies. Supporters argue that removing children from dangerous environments is crucial to their safety, while critics contend that such interventions are often traumatizing for children and may not be effective in preventing harm.

The episode follows several families and individuals who have been impacted by child removal policies, including parents who have lost custody of their children and former foster children who have aged out of the system. These personal stories provide a humanizing perspective on a topic that is often discussed in abstract terms.

In addition to sharing individual experiences, The Child Savers also delves into the broader social and political forces that shape child welfare policies in the United States. The episode explores the history of child protection services, including the controversial practices of orphan trains and Native American boarding schools, as well as the contemporary debates around issues such as race, poverty, and immigration.

The Child Savers also examines the financial and structural incentives that may contribute to child removal policies. According to the documentary, the child welfare system receives billions of dollars in funding each year, with a significant portion of that money going to private companies that provide foster care and other services. This has led some critics to argue that there is a financial incentive to remove children from their homes, rather than investing in programs that would support struggling families.

Throughout the episode, Frontline also explores alternative approaches to child welfare, such as family preservation programs and community-based interventions. These approaches prioritize keeping families together and providing them with the support they need to thrive, rather than relying on punitive and often traumatic interventions.

The Child Savers offers a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of a complex and polarizing issue. Through sensitive and insightful storytelling, the episode challenges viewers to question their assumptions and to consider the human cost of our current child welfare policies.