Why such loyalty to an unsubstantiated theory?
That theory -- that faith -- enables judges and social workers to "do something" when confronted with tough and tragic family situations. Then, like Pontius Pilate, they can wash their hands -- and perhaps even look at themselves in the mirror.
The sad fact is that so much of what is called "expertise" is little more than political cover protecting decision-makers from accountability for their own actions. Whether in a social welfare agency, a university or a corporation, you can always say that you followed the advice of experts, in order to get yourself off the hook when things go wrong.
The tragic irony in the "family re-unification" gamble is that so many American families are so anxious to adopt children that they are going overseas to get them, in order to avoid the bureaucratic ordeals created by social welfare agencies here.
An agency called Children and Family Services has to provide services in order to justify its existence, regardless of whether those service are effective, ineffective or counterproductive. By maintaining "confidentiality," ostensibly to protect the privacy of children and families, the agency can insulate itself from public scrutiny and criticism.
What all this means is that everyone is protected -- except the children. The County Counsel's office in San Mateo has asked that the policy of holding court proceedings behind closed doors in child welfare cases be changed. The time is long overdue to let some light and some fresh air into these proceedings. It might even save some child's life.