This is actually kind of a response or my own opinion on a post by mepatriot using the fp tag. I felt I'd share my own opinion after asking myself a really hard question - is there a need for society to look out for kids and fight against abusive parents? My honest answer is yes.
The problem though is that there seems to be a complete deviation from the mandate of ensuring better care for children and preventing abuse - to an institutional body that seeks to impose its will at every given opportunity.
CPS the force is not needed. It is particularly wrong for priority to be given towards separating kids rather than making families better by figuring out the underlying factors behind suspected abuse cases (like poverty for instance) and actually working with families to help them out. Am pretty sure if the money given to foster parents for the child's upkeep went to needy parents, there will be at least a few less suspected cases of neglect.
It may seem like a pipe dream for now though, even though gradual reforms seem to be taking place in some states due to the vocal nature of victims and sympathizers.
What we need is a an organization that is pro family, preferably one that is community driven with the interest of the family at heart.
Or is it better (and possible) to do without them completely. Can we get a working structure where children get shielded from abusive parents without going through the traumatic experience that goes with a cps intervention.