I think the title of the thread was unfortunate and not very well chosen. If it had been worded differently it might not have elicited a defensive response from the Americans. I felt a little put out myself and I have no problem criticizing our politics, health care system, etc.   "Two British Girls' Nightmare in New York City Social Services", for example, would have been less destined to raise hackles than "Is this how you treat kids in New York". We all know there are serious problems with social services in our big cities - all over, in fact. But the title of the thread made it sound like New Yorkers are cruel to kids in general.