According to the text, parens patriae originated in England during the 12th century, meaning “Father of the country”. Parens patriae gave the “King in charge,” authority over juveniles. In the United States juvenile justice system, parens patriae relates to the responsibility of government regarding the idea of rehabilitation of juveniles, that commit a crime or a “status offense.” (pg 10) Most often in the juvenile justice system dispositional options are either nominal or conditional” with the idea of confinement as a “last resort.”