As an adult in my 30s looking back, I think social workers recognize that there is a severe shortage of placements for children that are less abusive than their family of origin. The fact that any random Joe and Jane can procreate and I would subjectively agree that parents are allowed to do ANYTHING to their kid behind closed doors short of extreme physical violence that results in obvious injury. CPS was at my house repeatedly growing up as well and notes were taken and reports filed but nothing ever actually happened to my parents legally.

I think my ideal is children being able to sue their parents for monetary penalties to at least fund housing food and medical for recovery help.