Child vs. Ward: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A child is a young human being, while a ward is someone, often a child, under the protection and authority of a guardian or court.
Key Differences
The term "child" typically refers to a young person, usually from birth until they reach adulthood. It denotes a biological or adopted offspring in a family. In contrast, a "ward" is a person, often a minor, placed under the protection and legal authority of a guardian or court. The designation of a ward often arises from a lack of parental care or ability.
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Nov 18, 2023
A child is part of a family unit, either through birth or adoption, and is under the care and authority of their parents or legal guardians. The relationship is primarily familial and personal. A ward, however, is under the guardianship of someone appointed by a court or legal authority, often due to the inability of the biological parents to provide adequate care or in cases of orphanage.
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Nov 18, 2023
The rights and responsibilities towards a child are usually inherent to the parents or legal guardians, stemming from a familial bond or legal adoption process. For a ward, these responsibilities are assigned by a legal authority to a guardian who may or may not be related to the ward. This guardianship is often a legal responsibility rather than a familial one.
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Nov 18, 2023
In the context of law and social services, a child may become a ward of the state or court if their parents are unable to care for them, or in situations of abuse or neglect. This transition highlights the difference where a "child" becomes a "ward" due to legal intervention for their protection.
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Nov 18, 2023
Finally, while every ward is a person, often a child, not every child is a ward. The status of being a ward specifically indicates a legal guardianship arrangement outside the typical family structure, whereas being a child does not inherently imply such legal or protective arrangements.
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Nov 18, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A young human being, by birth or adoption.
A person under legal guardianship.
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Family Relationship
Biological or adopted member of a family.
Not necessarily related to the guardian.
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Guardianship Origin
Inherent parental care.
Appointed by court or legal authority.
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Legal Implications
Familial rights and responsibilities.
Legal responsibilities of a guardian.
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Circumstances of Care
Typically cared for by parents.
Cared for by a guardian due to legal need.
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Child and Ward Definitions
Child
A son or daughter, regardless of age.
She is the only child of her parents.
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Nov 18, 2023
Ward
A minor under the care of a legal guardian.
The judge appointed her as the child's ward.
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Child
An offspring or descendant.
Generations of the family’s children gathered for the reunion.
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Nov 18, 2023
Ward
A dependent under someone’s charge.
The mentor accepted the young artist as his ward.
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Child
A person who has not yet reached adulthood.
The law protects the rights of the child.
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Ward
A division in a hospital for the care of a particular group of patients
A maternity ward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
A division of a city or town, especially an electoral district, for administrative and representative purposes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
A district of some English and Scottish counties corresponding roughly to the hundred or the wapentake.
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
An individual regarded as strongly affected by another or by a specified time, place, or circumstance
A child of nature.
A child of the Sixties.
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
A product or result of something specified
“Times Square is a child of the 20th century” (Richard F. Shepard).
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
A person who has not yet reached adulthood, whether natural (puberty), cultural (initiation), or legal (majority).
Go easy on him: he is but a child.
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
A kid aged 1 to 11 years, whereas neonates are aged 0 to 1 month, infants are aged 1 month to 12 months, and adolescents are aged 12 years to 18 years.
Regular chores can be appropriate for both children and adolescents, given age-appropriate limits on difficulty level and time on task.
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
(with possessive) One's direct descendant by birth, regardless of age; one's offspring; a son or daughter.
My youngest child is forty-three this year.
His adult children visit him yearly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
The projecting ridge of a lock or keyhole that prevents the turning or insertion of a key other than the proper one.
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
A person considered a product of a place or culture, a member of a tribe or culture, regardless of age.
The children of Israel.
He is a child of his times.
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
(computing) A data item, process, or object which has a subservient or derivative role relative to another.
The child node then stores the actual data of the parent node.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
An enchantment or spell placed over a designated area or social unit, that prevents any tresspasser from entering; approaching; or even being able to locate said protected premises or demographic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
A son or a daughter; a male or female descendant, in the first degree; the immediate progeny of human parents; - in law, legitimate offspring. Used also of animals and plants.
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
A descendant, however remote; - used esp. in the plural; as, the children of Israel; the children of Edom.
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
One who, by character of practice, shows signs of relationship to, or of the influence of, another; one closely connected with a place, occupation, character, etc.; as, a child of God; a child of the devil; a child of disobedience; a child of toil; a child of the people.
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
A young person of either sex. esp. one between infancy and youth; hence, one who exhibits the characteristics of a very young person, as innocence, obedience, trustfulness, limited understanding, etc.
When I was child. I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
An administrative division of a borough, city or council.
On our last visit to Tokyo, we went to Chiyoda ward and visited the Emperor's palace.
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Child
To give birth; to produce young.
This queen Genissa childing died.
It chanced within two days they childed both.
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Ward
(Mormonism) A subdivision of the LDS Church, smaller than and part of a stake, but larger than a branch.
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Child
A young person of either sex;
She writes books for children
They're just kids
`tiddler' is a British term for youngsters
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Child
A human offspring (son or daughter) of any age;
They had three children
They were able to send their kids to college
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
An immature childish person;
He remained a child in practical matters as long as he lived
Stop being a baby!
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Ward
A minor looked after by a guardian.
After the trial, little Robert was declared a ward of the state.
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Oct 19, 2023
Child
A young human being, especially before puberty.
The child played happily in the park.
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Nov 18, 2023
Child
A person regarded as having the qualities of a child.
He approached life with the wonder of a child.
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Ward
(transitive) To fend off, to repel, to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches off}}
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
One who, or that which, guards; garrison; defender; protector; means of guarding; defense; protection.
For the best ward of mine honor.
The assieged castle's wardTheir steadfast stands did mightily maintain.
For want of other ward,He lifted up his hand, his front to guard.
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Ward
The state of being under guard or guardianship; confinement under guard; the condition of a child under a guardian; custody.
And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard.
I must attend his majesty's command, to whom I am now in ward.
It is also inconvenient, in Ireland, that the wards and marriages of gentlemen's children should be in the disposal of any of those lords.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
A minor or person under the care of a guardian; as, a ward in chancery.
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Ward
A projecting ridge of metal in the interior of a lock, to prevent the use of any key which has not a corresponding notch for passing it.
The lock is made . . . more secure by attaching wards to the front, as well as to the back, plate of the lock, in which case the key must be furnished with corresponding notches.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
A division, district, or quarter of a town or city.
Throughout the trembling city placed a guard,Dealing an equal share to every ward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
To keep in safety; to watch; to guard; formerly, in a specific sense, to guard during the day time.
Whose gates he found fast shut, no living wightTo ward the same.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
To defend; to protect.
Tell him it was a hand that warded himFrom thousand dangers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
To fend off; to repel; to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches; - usually followed by off.
Now wards a felling blow, now strikes again.
The pointed javelin warded off his rage.
It instructs the scholar in the various methods of warding off the force of objections.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
To act on the defensive with a weapon.
She redoubling her blows drove the stranger to no other shift than to ward and go back.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
A district into which a city or town is divided for the purpose of administration and elections
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Ward
Block forming a division of a hospital (or a suite of rooms) shared by patients who need a similar kind of care;
They put her in a 4-bed ward
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Ward
English writer of novels who was an active opponent of the women's suffrage movement (1851-1920)
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Ward
United States businessman who in 1872 established a successful mail-order business (1843-1913)
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Ward
Watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect;
Guard my possessions while I'm away
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Oct 19, 2023
Ward
Someone under protection or care of another.
As his ward, she was provided for in his will.
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Nov 18, 2023
Ward
A person under the guardianship of the state.
The foster child became a ward of the state.
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Nov 18, 2023
Ward
An individual whose affairs are managed by a court.
The elderly man was declared a ward due to incapacity.
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Nov 18, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a child have multiple legal guardians?
Yes, a child can have more than one guardian, like both parents.
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Nov 18, 2023
What is the legal age of a child?
The legal age of a child varies by country, typically under 18 years.
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Are all children considered wards?
No, only those under legal guardianship separate from parents.
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What rights does a guardian have over a ward?
Guardians have rights to make decisions regarding the ward's care and welfare.
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Is adoption necessary to become a child's legal guardian?
No, guardianship and adoption are separate legal processes.
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Can a child legally own property?
Generally, no. Property ownership is usually managed by their guardians until they are adults.
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Who appoints a guardian for a ward?
A court usually appoints a guardian for a ward.
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Can a ward be an adult?
Yes, if they are incapable of managing their own affairs.
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Nov 18, 2023
Do parents automatically become their child’s guardians?
Yes, biological parents are typically the natural guardians.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can a child choose their guardian?
In some cases, older children's preferences are considered by the court.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can a child decide their educational path?
Typically, parents or guardians decide, considering the child's interests.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can a child live independently from their parents?
Legally, children are usually under their parents’ care until they reach adulthood.
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Nov 18, 2023
Are wards always related to their guardians?
No, wards are not necessarily related to their guardians.
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Nov 18, 2023
How is a ward’s welfare ensured?
The guardian and sometimes state authorities ensure the ward's welfare.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can a child's guardianship change?
Yes, through legal processes, a child's guardianship can change.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is a guardian financially responsible for a ward?
Yes, guardians are usually responsible for the ward's financial needs.
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What happens when a ward reaches adulthood?
They typically exit the guardianship unless they are unable to care for themselves.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can a ward inherit from their guardian?
Yes, if the guardian includes them in the will.
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Nov 18, 2023
Do all children have the same legal rights?
Most countries have laws to protect children's rights universally.
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Nov 18, 2023
What support is available for wards of the state?
Wards of the state often receive support through social services and foster care systems.
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Nov 18, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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