Which description best defines a dependent child?

Which description best defines a dependent child?

• A. A child who has no parents or guardians to care for him or her.
• B. A child who violates laws written only for children.
• C. A child who has two guardians.
• D. A child who is adopted.

Answer: (A)

A dependent child is someone who cannot be adequately cared for by parents or guardians and needs protective supervision because there is no one available to provide care. The description that best fits this is a child who has no parents or guardians to care for him or her, since without caregivers the child welfare system steps in to provide protection and support. The other descriptions describe different situations: a child who violates laws meant for minors refers to delinquency or status offenses, which involve the juvenile justice system but not dependency. Having two guardians is a normal guardianship setup and isn’t by itself a status of dependency. Being adopted involves a legal guardianship already in place and doesn’t imply a lack of someone to care for the child. The defining idea here is the lack of adequate parental care and the need for protective oversight.

A dependent child is someone who cannot be adequately cared for by parents or guardians and needs protective supervision because there is no one available to provide care. The description that best fits this is a child who has no parents or guardians to care for him or her, since without caregivers the child welfare system steps in to provide protection and support.

The other descriptions describe different situations: a child who violates laws meant for minors refers to delinquency or status offenses, which involve the juvenile justice system but not dependency. Having two guardians is a normal guardianship setup and isn’t by itself a status of dependency. Being adopted involves a legal guardianship already in place and doesn’t imply a lack of someone to care for the child. The defining idea here is the lack of adequate parental care and the need for protective oversight.