Conclusion and Outlook

In this book, we have put forward a view of the goods involved in a good childhood and discussed how the family and state might share responsibility in enacting these goods. In principle, the concept of a good childhood presented here provides a general framework that makes it possible to discuss questions of a good childhood in an ethically grounded and democratically legitimate way. Our view is, of course, still in need of further specification and interpretation, and it must be supplemented by additional empirical research. It is therefore also open to criticism and suggestions for improvement. Ultimately, readers must decide for themselves whether they believe it is plausible to interpret the life and moral status of children in this way.