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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
A young human being, by birth or adoption.
A person under legal guardianship.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Family Relationship
Biological or adopted member of a family.
Not necessarily related to the guardian.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Guardianship Origin
Inherent parental care.
Appointed by court or legal authority.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Legal Implications
Familial rights and responsibilities.
Legal responsibilities of a guardian.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Circumstances of Care
Typically cared for by parents.
Cared for by a guardian due to legal need.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Child and Ward Definitions
Child
A son or daughter, regardless of age.
She is the only child of her parents.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Ward
A minor under the care of a legal guardian.
The judge appointed her as the child's ward.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Child
An offspring or descendant.
Generations of the family’s children gathered for the reunion.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Ward
A dependent under someone’s charge.
The mentor accepted the young artist as his ward.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Child
A person who has not yet reached adulthood.
The law protects the rights of the child.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Ward
A division in a hospital for the care of a particular group of patients
A maternity ward.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Ward
A division of a city or town, especially an electoral district, for administrative and representative purposes.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Ward
A district of some English and Scottish counties corresponding roughly to the hundred or the wapentake.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Child
A product or result of something specified
“Times Square is a child of the 20th century” (Richard F. Shepard).
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Child
A descendant, however remote; - used esp. in the plural; as, the children of Israel; the children of Edom.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Child
To give birth; to produce young.
This queen Genissa childing died.
It chanced within two days they childed both.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Ward
(Mormonism) A subdivision of the LDS Church, smaller than and part of a stake, but larger than a branch.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Child
A young person of either sex;
She writes books for children
They're just kids
`tiddler' is a British term for youngsters
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Child
A human offspring (son or daughter) of any age;
They had three children
They were able to send their kids to college
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Child
An immature childish person;
He remained a child in practical matters as long as he lived
Stop being a baby!
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Ward
A minor looked after by a guardian.
After the trial, little Robert was declared a ward of the state.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Child
A young human being, especially before puberty.
The child played happily in the park.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Child
A person regarded as having the qualities of a child.
He approached life with the wonder of a child.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Ward
(transitive) To fend off, to repel, to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches off}}
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Ward
A minor or person under the care of a guardian; as, a ward in chancery.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Ward
To defend; to protect.
Tell him it was a hand that warded himFrom thousand dangers.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Ward
A district into which a city or town is divided for the purpose of administration and elections
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Ward
English writer of novels who was an active opponent of the women's suffrage movement (1851-1920)
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Ward
United States businessman who in 1872 established a successful mail-order business (1843-1913)
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Ward
Watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect;
Guard my possessions while I'm away
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Ward
Someone under protection or care of another.
As his ward, she was provided for in his will.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Ward
A person under the guardianship of the state.
The foster child became a ward of the state.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Ward
An individual whose affairs are managed by a court.
The elderly man was declared a ward due to incapacity.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
What is the legal age of a child?
The legal age of a child varies by country, typically under 18 years.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Are all children considered wards?
No, only those under legal guardianship separate from parents.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
What rights does a guardian have over a ward?
Guardians have rights to make decisions regarding the ward's care and welfare.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Is adoption necessary to become a child's legal guardian?
No, guardianship and adoption are separate legal processes.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can a child legally own property?
Generally, no. Property ownership is usually managed by their guardians until they are adults.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Who appoints a guardian for a ward?
A court usually appoints a guardian for a ward.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can a ward be an adult?
Yes, if they are incapable of managing their own affairs.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Do parents automatically become their child’s guardians?
Yes, biological parents are typically the natural guardians.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can a child choose their guardian?
In some cases, older children's preferences are considered by the court.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can a child decide their educational path?
Typically, parents or guardians decide, considering the child's interests.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can a child live independently from their parents?
Legally, children are usually under their parents’ care until they reach adulthood.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Are wards always related to their guardians?
No, wards are not necessarily related to their guardians.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
How is a ward’s welfare ensured?
The guardian and sometimes state authorities ensure the ward's welfare.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can a child's guardianship change?
Yes, through legal processes, a child's guardianship can change.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Is a guardian financially responsible for a ward?
Yes, guardians are usually responsible for the ward's financial needs.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
What happens when a ward reaches adulthood?
They typically exit the guardianship unless they are unable to care for themselves.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can a ward inherit from their guardian?
Yes, if the guardian includes them in the will.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Do all children have the same legal rights?
Most countries have laws to protect children's rights universally.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
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.
Hifza Nasir
Shumaila Saeed
Dua Fatima
