Reviews : Social Work and Europe Crescy Cannan et al McMillan/BASW, 1993; pp 164; £9.50 pbk
| Author | Vicky Harris |
| Date | 01 October 1993 |
| Published date | 01 October 1993 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455059304000313 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
this. However, they do wish to expose a
deficiency in what one contributor to the
volume describes as ’academic feminism’
which portrays women as passive
receivers of sexuality, their only entrée to
the status of sexual abuser is on the basis
of coerced accomplice or previous victim
of sexual abuse.
In summary, this book is important
as a stimulus to the questioning of ideas
regarding the conjuction of sexuality and
power which are now regarded as part of
an established orthodoxy. There are of
in Central and Eastern Europe and heart-
course dangers and shortcomings. Two of
breaking tragedy in former Yugoslavia.
these are at least partially acknowledged
The chapter on migration, racism
by the various contributors. Without
and xenophobia seeks to explain some of
developed socio-political theorisation
the historical issues underpinning the
there is a chance that this type of
segregation and marginalisation of ethnic
deviance may be explained solely in
minority groups. The French socialist
terms of individual pathology, another
government, following major debate,
variant of the ’mad, not bad’ explanation
favours ’insertion’ -
that is integration
of female offending. A second danger
with a right to difference. However,
may be that the ’discovery’ of women as
despite increased educational provision, a
perpetrators of sexual abuse may fuel
massive monetary influx and social
some form of anti-feminist backlash.
action schemes in regard to the poorest
Nevertheless, this volume makes
housing estates, the policy has been
interesting and provocative reading
undermined by the right wing and racism
especially for practitioners working in
and poverty continue if not increase.
the field.
This pattern is repeated throughout
Europe in varying circumstances and
David Balsamo
degrees. For this and other reasons it is
Chester College of Higher Education
hard to share the optimistic view
expressed in the book - that ’this great
human movement (migration) will
present social work...
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