Abolition

Abstract Chapter 7 provides a history of abolitionist efforts in the United States and presents a vision for abolition of the child welfare system as the only solution for ending the harm and oppression that result from child welfare intervention. This chapter begins with the origins of abolition during the era of slavery and presents the argument that the goals of the early abolitionists were never fully met as liberation for Black people was never achieved. This chapter then describes the modern abolition movement and situates abolition of the child welfare system as part of this overall movement toward abolition of carceral systems and institutions. The chapter then turns to the work of imagining that is needed to bring about change and the work that can begin today to realize this change. It concludes with the hope that abolition inspires and a vision for the world we wish to see.