Wasted: The Plight of America's Unwanted Children

This book, written by a 30-year court guardian of the Chicago-area in Illinois, argues for the reformation of our child social services departments. Too many resources are being funneled into programs to keep families together, treating parents as victims and ultimately costing children their health (mental and physical), their childhoods (spent in prisons and psychiatric facilities), and sometimes their lives. Told in the form of anecdotes, case studies, and laced with statistics, Murphy presents his case forcefully that there should be more termination of parental rights and placements in adoptive homes and residential care facilities for abused children and less money in welfare agencies spent repairing parents and families that are beyond, well, repair. He makes a careful distinction between those who truly are down-trod by circumstances of poverty and livelihood and those who refuse ample opportunities to change themselves and their behavior, staying mired in their own world of misery which Murphy dubs "the underclass". Tracing his own roots as a DA lawyer to his stint in Somalia as a peace corps worker and then back to legal services, Murphy shows how cultural changes have influenced the child welfare system both in terms of policy and how the children have ended up their in the first place. He is honest enough to admit his own mistake in initially arguing for the build-up family preservation services, but one cannot help but admire his courage and tenacity of conviction even if he is not, by his own admission, a team-player. I was intrigued by his take on the influence of politics on the child welfare system, and his belief that neither side is "correct": the conservatives neglect the poor to their own devices, while the liberals constantly defend the behavior of those viewed as "victims", ultimately steeping them further into a culture of dependency. He skillfully takes on the complex issues of class and race and the roadblocks they produce in terms of figuring out a child's best interest, without ever seeming racist or insensitive to the plight of the poor. While I agree with the point of another viewer that abused children are not always poor and that there are perhaps fewer programs instituted to help middle-class children (whose parents may, in fact, have the money and means to dodge "the legal system"), I think Murphy's point was to define a certain subgroup of abusers, "the underclass" and expose how these people are often excused of their behavior due to their poverty, reduced prospects, and racial issues. Whereas abuse cases in middle-class families are viewed as isolated incidents, among poorer people, they are blamed on circumstance, which is, as Murphy points out, truly an insult to the majority of impoverished people who work very hard to raise their children despite limited means. This is a short, crisp, to-the-point read. It is also a heart-breaking one. Indeed, perhaps the most persuasive part of the book is not any of

I stumbled upon this book while looking for something related to foster care. I am a director of a small therapeutic foster care program and have been in the "child welfare" field for some time. This is the best text I have read on the subject. It probably makes much more sense if you are in the field. I not, you will not have a very good understanding of the topics discussed. My immediate thought was to share this book with coworkers. It is amazing how the sequence of events in Illinois in the mid 1990’s almost exactly mirror the last few years here in Connecticut. If you are in the field buy this book.

Patrick Murphy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience into this books discussion of povery and America's developing underclass. I would agree with many this book is not easy reading, but rings true in many respects.His opinions on the current state of Child Welfare Services is rough but honest. He is generally negative and does not hold a great deal of hope for the future of our "system". While personal and profession beliefs in regards to many of his points differ, one cannot disagree with his reasoning. The book is well thought out and worth reading.

Although the legal terminology may turn some readers off, I found Murphy to be painfully honest and accurate with his description of the foster care system. As a teacher who has also been a foster parent, I have been witness to some very disturbing situations, and I am still not sure what is in the best interest of the child, long term. Murphy's use of humor certainly helps deliver this message, and I would recommend this book to anyone who works with children.

Author Patrick Murphy, an experienced 30 year veteran of the advocate for abused and neglected children wars, packs an emotional punch in this real life story of horrors. Tales of children being huddled away from abusive parents, by an anitiquated legal system--only to be delivered right into the hands of foster parents leading to continued abuse, degradation, neglect, injury, and even death.No, this is not easy reading. It is a needed slap in the face reality of a read. Murphy writes, "In the present system, the parent's victim status becomes more important than the child's neglect." Unlike some other books by social critics, this compelling book offers solutions; such as restructuring child welfare bureaucracies into two agencies, one to provide services and the other to investigate child abuse.The story of the five children placed in foster care and found to be barely living in a basement, was more than shocking. These children would tell their social worker everything was okay, lying to prevent further abuse. A system that rips everything away from these orphans of the living--their hopes, dreams, hearts, and souls desperately needs revamping. How can we complain about the children of today, when our legal systems are only serving procreation of our citizens of tomorrow? We can do something, save one child at a time. We must start somewhere. Be a mentor, be a Guardian Ad Litem in your local county, be a saviour.A rivetingly raw book. I urge you to buy it now. I appreciate your interest & comments--CDS