ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author explains psychological concepts like attachment and cognitive development in everyday terms that would be "user friendly." The theme of her talk was to be "Trends in Child Development and the Family." She said very little in praise of current court practices and did not refrain from criticizing judges or policies that have failed to protect children. Infants and children in reasonably good or adequate families are able to form more than one attachment. Children need help in recovering their capacity to move forward, without fear that the past will recur. A child who feels secure in the availability and protection of her mother feels that she is a good child; after all, Mother takes care of her. There is hardly any preparatory or ongoing provision within the legal system for educating judges and court personnel regarding children or family relationships, or for keeping judges apprised of important research advances as they occur.
