In loco parentis, which literally means “in place of the parent,” refers to the doctrine that describes the legal authority given to public or private institutions that take the place of parents. The relationship is deemed similar to that of a parent to a child, with an individual (or institution) assuming parental status and responsibilities for another person, typically a minor, without formal adoption. Generally, the practice centers on teacher and student relationships and the degree to which schools function in regard to punishment and disciplinary guidelines. Although the doctrine may appear to limit the power granted to teachers and school officials, its interpretation can be quite expansive and can influence much of adolescents’ school environment and what they learn about the role of the state in shaping their development.
The focus on the teacher and student relationship derives from the doctrine’s common law roots. Scholars and courts nominally credit William Blackstone’s (1765...
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Levesque, R.J.R. (2011). In Loco Parentis. In: Levesque, R.J.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Adolescence. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1695-2_680
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