Life in the United States has been difficult for many children. Statistically speaking, four children are killed every day by abuse (Allyn and Bacon, 2011). As the numbers increase over the years, a change begins to occur. Many factors will affect the child protection system in the future, such as economic policies, political opinions and current policies put in place (child protection information). The purpose of the child welfare system is to help children who are victims of abuse. In the past, no policy was put in place; however, this is starting to change. One of the systems established is the Children's Bureau, an organization that conducts studies on the mental health of abused children (Thomas, 2012). Although this organization does not have the authority to make federal regulations, it is one of the largest child welfare agencies (Thomas, 2012). There are many economic and governmental problems that make it difficult to maintain the child welfare system. In the 1900s, the child welfare system didn't really exist. Although some people thought it was wrong to abuse children, it was not enforced due to its frequency at the time (Alvord). It was not until the late 19th century that the upper class began to realize the rights of children and want them to be treated with a certain level of care. They felt it was the government's responsibility to intervene when a child was treated unfairly. It was also around this time that the Child Rescue movement was established. The aim of this movement was to protect children and ensure that they were not treated cruelly. The child welfare system was born...... middle of paper...... tics. Retrieved April 29, 2014 from https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/statistics/Mumpower, J. and Gary, M. (2014). Judgment and decision making. A Signal Detection Theory Analysis of Racial and Ethnic Disproportionality in the Referral and Justification Processes of the U.S. Child Protective Services System (Mumpower & Gary, 2014) Popple, P.R. & Leighninger, L. (2011). The policy-driven profession: An introduction to welfare policy analysis for social workers (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Radel, L., Malm, K. and Vandivere, S. (November 8, 2009). Adoption United States. Adoption USA: Retrieved April 30, 2014 from http://www.aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/09/NSAP/chartbook/chartbook.cfm?id=13Thomas, M. (2012). Journal of Public Child Protection. One Hundred Years of Children's Bureau Support for Child Protection Staff (Thomas, 2012)