The tragic death of four-year-old Nadine Lockwood has re-kindled an old debate: when should the government take abused children away from their parents? In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, the controversy over child protection. Also, psychologist Mary Pipher on why it's so hard to be a good parent.

This segment, the debate over leaving children with abusive parents. Richard Gelles, director of the Family Violence Research Program at the University of Rhode Island, tells Jim Fleming why he thinks abusive parents should have their parental rights terminated and their children put in foster care for early adoption. Gelles is the author of "The Book of David" - a case study of a fifteen month old boy suffocated by his mother. Also, Charlotte Booth is all for keeping kids safe, but tells Judith Strasser that she believes resources ought to go into helping parents learn life and coping skills. Booth is executive director of the Behavioural Sciences Institute in Federal Way, Washington.

Psychologist Mary Pipher tells Steve Paulson that it's harder than ever to raise healthy kids. A lot of kids are terrified and Pipher blames TV. Pipher is the author of the best-selling "Reviving Ophelia" and "The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding Our Families."

Doug Rushkoff says kids have a totally different relationship to television than their parents do -- they're naturally more skeptical. Rushkoff tells Steve Paulson that we should stop worrying about and start learning from our kids. Rushkoff is the author of several books, including "Playing the Future: How Kids' Culture Can Teach Us to Thrive in an Age of Chaos."

Distribution dates:

• week of 09/22/96 - hour 1
• week of 09/20/98 - hour 1