What part should children take in decisions about their lives? Does their need to be involved in decisions conflict with adult responsibility for their welfare? In its search for answers to these questions, "Children, Family and the State" examines different theories of childhood, children's rights and the relationship between children, parents and the state. Focusing on children who are looked after by the state, it reviews the changing objectives of the care system and the extent to which children have been involved in decisions about their care. The latter part of the book is based on ground-breaking research into children's participation which used innovative methods to explore children's views. The author argues that the development of a legal framework centred on children's welfare and children's "wishes and feelings" must be matched by reconsidering how decisions are made and how adults communicate with children. Finally, the book suggests that including children who are "looked after" in decisions has implications for children's participation more generally, and for their place in society.