Reviews : Invisible Crying Tree Tom Shannon and Christopher Morgan Black Swan, 1997; £6.99 pbk
| Published date | 01 March 1997 |
| Author | Susan Barter |
| Date | 01 March 1997 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455059704400109 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
political and social differences between
Scandinavia and Britain. For example,
they appear to have worked with a
relatively homogeneous research sample,
and the book does not address issues
relevant to anti-discriminatory practice,
especially when mediating with black,
gay or lesbian parents. Furthermore, few
comparisons are made with family
systems theory, which is an approach
which is perhaps more familiar to British
mediators than the Obergs’
psychodynamic model.
In any case, this book is likely to
produce a wistful response in British
readers, not just because it is so difficult
to imagine such a therapeutically-
Invisible Crying Tree
orientated social work-based mediation
Tom Shannon
service being provided nationwide as a
and
public service and
Christopher Morgan
at public expense in
this
Black
country, for the study also highlights
Swan, 1997; £6.99 pbk
potential difficulties surrounding the
’Thank you for being there, for hearing
intent and purpose of the divorce reforms
my bleats, my invisible crying tree.’ So
contain in the Family Law Act 1996. The
wrote Tom Shannon, incarcerated lifer, to
Swedish National Board of Health and
his Prison Reform Trust pen-friend, Chris
Welfare regards mediation as a cost
Morgan, ex-soldier, ex-businessman and
effective service which represents a
farmer. Their book of letters charts the
legitimate demand on public resources.
development of a relationship, significant
Accordingly, mediation is provided by
to both men, which exemplifies the
graduate social workers through a
befriending creative probation officers
national network of local social bureaux
once had time for. It is a must for
to parents who approach the service on a
probation volunteers, an inspiration and
voluntary basis.
an education to those wanting to nurture
In contrast, there is a possibility that
a meaningful correspondence with a long
the provision of mediation in the UK
term prisoner.
following the implementation of the
The value of the volunteer...
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