Critical Social Work An Introduction to Theories and Practices

by Pease, Bob; Briskman, Linda; Allan, June

• ISBN13: 9781865089072
• ISBN10: 1865089079
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-09-01
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Summary

This introduction to critical social work offers a systematic overview of core theories and practice issues in challenging domination and oppression by arguing that a central goal of social work practice is social change to redress social inequality. Taking a critical theoretical approach that incorporates postmodern, feminist, structural, and postcolonial perspectives, the contributors explore the links between personal and social change. While many critical social work educators argue it is necessary to draw upon both modernist and postmodern appropriations of critical theory, this book explores the tensions and contradictions in adopting this dual perspective.

Author Biography

June Allan is a senior lecturer in the School of Social Science and Planning at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Bob Pease is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and Planning at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of A Man’s World?, Working with Men in the Human Services, and Men and Gender Relations. Linda Briskman is an associate professor in the School of Social Work and Planning at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. She is the author of The Black Grapevine and the coeditor of Challenging Rural Practice.

Table of Contents

Contributors
Preface
Introducing critical theories in social work	p. 1
Historical development of critical social work practice	p. 17
Theorising critical social work	p. 32
Practising critical social work	p. 52
Immigrants and refugees: Towards anti-racist and culturally affirming practices	p. 75
Indigenous Australians: Towards postcolonial social work	p. 92
Women: Developing feminist practice in women's services	p. 107
Men and masculinities: Profeminist approaches to changing men	p. 124
Families: Reconstructing social work practices	p. 139
Mental health: Rethinking practices with women	p. 155
Loss and grief: Weaving together the personal and the political	p. 170
Rethinking the relationship between the self and society	p. 187
Responding to the changing socio-political context of practice	p. 202
Enacting critical social work in public welfare contexts	p. 214
Globalising practice in the international context	p. 228
Endnotes	p. 246
References	p. 249
Index	p. 286
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