Question 17
What is the youth welfare office allowed to do in Germany?
German original: Was darf das Jugendamt in Deutschland?. In the test, all questions are asked in German.
Answer options
- It decides which school the child attends.
- It can remove a child who is being beaten or going hungry from the family. — Correct answer
- It pays the child benefit to the parents.
- It monitors whether the child attends a kindergarten.
Explanation
The youth welfare office (Jugendamt) in Germany is allowed to intervene to protect the well-being of a child. If a child is mistreated, neglected, or in danger, the office can remove the child from their family and take them into protective care. This measure is called Inobhutnahme and is regulated in Paragraph 42 of the Social Code, Book VIII (SGB VIII).
Key terms in this question
- Germany — Germany is a country in central Europe with a parliamentary democracy. It is a member of the European Union and its capital is Berlin.
- is allowed to / may — 'Darf' is a form of the modal verb 'dürfen', used in the first or third person singular. It expresses that something is permitted or allowed.
- Federal state — A federal state is one of the 16 regions that together form Germany. Each state has its own government, parliament, and areas of responsibility.
- German — German is the official language of Germany, Austria, and part of Switzerland. It is the native language of approximately 100 million people.
- Youth Welfare Office — The Youth Welfare Office is a local government authority that supports and protects children, young people, and families. It can intervene when children are at risk or families need assistance.