Child welfare in Argentina is approached by first discussing the severe crisis affecting the Latin American and Caribbean Region generally. Economic and social factors, especially population size and high unemployment, have led to a situation in which millions of people live in conditions of critical poverty and depressing indigence. Attention is directed towards regional development strategy and the norms, values and factual components which comprise the three-part structure of the juridical system. Legal access to justice, legislation and culture, sectoral partiality and minors’ justice are crucial to the situation of children and families in Latin America and the Caribbean. The second part of the article concentrates on children and family law in Argentina. The significant aspects of Argentine law are briefly discussed. Changes in the composition and structure of socialization patterns and the Argentine family are examined. Finally, future directions for family policy in Latin America are outlined.