Critical Social Work Theories and Practices for a Socially Just World

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

• ISBN13: 9781742370927
• ISBN10: 1742370926
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-01
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Summary

A fully revised second edition of this systematic introduction to progressive social work practice. Taking a critical theoretical approach, it examines the nexus between personal and social change.Critical Social Workstarts from the premise that a central goal of social work practice is social change to redress social inequality. Taking a critical theoretical approach, the authors explore the links between personal and social change. They confront the challenges for critical social work in the context of pressures to separate the personal from the political and in responding to the impact of changes in the socio-political, statutory, and global contexts of practice.Critical Social Workhas been thoroughly revised to take into account recent social, economic, and political developments. Coverage of theoretical frameworks has been substantially expanded and reflects current concerns such as evidence based practice and human rights. The causes of people's marginalization and oppression are examined in relation to class, race, ethnicity, gender, and other forms of social inequality. Case study chapters in the earlier edition on working with immigrants, Indigenous people, women, men, families, people with psychiatric disabilities, and those experiencing loss and grief have been updated and revised.

Author Biography

June Allan is senior lecturer in social work at RMIT University. Linda Briskman holds the Dr. Haruhisa Handa Chair in Human Rights Education at Curtin University. Bob Pease is chair of social work at Deakin University.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
List of Contributors	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Introducing critical theories for social work in a neo-liberal context	p. 3
Developing conceptual frameworks for critical social work	p. 15
Tracing the origins of critical social work practice	p. 17
Theorising new developments in critical social work	p. 30
From evidence-based practice to critical knowledge in post-positivist social work	p. 45
Promoting a human rights perspective on critical social work	p. 58
Doing critical social work	p. 70
Resisting domination and oppression	p. 89
Towards anti-racist and culturally affirming practices	p. 91
Reversing colonial practices with Indigenous peoples	p. 105
Reconstructing social work practices with families	p. 117
Examining the meaning of childhood in critical social work practice	p. 132
Using critical reflection to improve feminist practice	p. 145
Challenges and directions for profeminist practice with men	p. 160
Empowering and rights-based approaches to working with older people	p. 175
Disabling discourses and enabling practices in disability politics	p. 188
Opening spaces for alternative understandings in mental health practice	p. 201
Weaving together the personal and the political in loss and grief	p. 214
Addressing violence and abuse in a gendered world	p. 228
Locating critical social work in shifting worlds	p. 241
Critical practice in a changing context	p. 243
Enacting critical social work in publicly funded contexts	p. 255
Framing critical social work practices with rural and remote communities	p. 268
For a solidarity-based practice in the globalising context	p. 281
Notes	p. 295
References	p. 298
Index	p. 342
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