Sociology: family, kinship and relationships Books

Book SynopsisSocial scientists claim that we now live in a post-race society, where race has been replaced by 'ethnicity'. Yet racism is endemic to British society and people often think in terms of black and white. With a marked rise in the number of children from mixed parentage, there is an urgent need to challenge simplistic understandings of 'race', nation and culture, and interrogate what it means to grow up in Britain and claim a 'mixed' identity. Focusing on mixed-race and inter-ethnic families, this book not only explores current understandings of 'race', but it shows, using innovative research techniques with children, how we come to read race. What influence do photographs and television have on childrens ideas about 'race'? How do children use memories and stories to talk about racial differences within their own families? How important is the home and domestic culture in achieving a sense of belonging? Ali also considers, through data gathered from teachers and parents, broader issues relating to the effectiveness of anti-racist and multicultural teaching in schools, and parental concerns over the social mobility and social acceptability of their children. Rigorously researched, this book is the first to combine childrens accounts on 'race' and identity with contemporary cultural theory. Using fascinating case studies, it fills a major gap in this area and provides an original approach to writing on race.Trade Review"An admirable, indeed heart-warming, book. - Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies The books conceptual arguments are both persuasive and provocative. Ali introduces theoretical questions with economy and clarity, speaking equally well to scholars and researchers and to educators, activists and parents. While it is theoretically sophisticated and methodologically innovative, this book should gain wide circulation beyond the academy, particularly among teachers - Kari Dehli, University of Toronto Ali has certainly identified a topic worth pursuing, and her insistence on 'post-race' thinkign and theorizing to 'de-recognize ""race"" even as we try to undermine it' is to be applauded and encouraged. - Royal Anthropological Institute"Table of ContentsAcknowledgements, 1. ‘Where Do You Come From?’, 2. Researching the Unresearchable, 3. Reading Popular Culture: Same Ideas, Different Bodies, 4. Ambiguous Images: Relating ‘Mixed-Race’ Selves to Others, 5. Creating Families Through Cultural Practices, 6. Moving Homes: Gender, Diaspora, Ethnicity, 7. Discourses of Race and Racism in Schools, 8. ‘Mixed-Race’ Futures, Appendix, Bibliography, Index

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Book SynopsisThe 1990s has witnessed a resurgence of interest and concern in the issue of domestic violence. While women are predominantly targets of this violence, there is now a recognition that children are also significantly affected by violence towards their mothers. This report explores the problems and opportunities presented for child protection workers responding to child abuse that occurred in the context of violence towards the child(ren)'s mother. This particular aspect of domestic violence intervention is frequently overlooked as issues such as policing, child contact, interagency working and offender programmes have gained precedence in the development of intervention strategies. The responses of social services departments to child abuse arising in the context of domestic violence remain some of the most contentious and controversial in this area. This report: gives a detailed account of social work practice in the area of domestic violence, using many case examples which illustrate the barriers to effective intervention; looks in particular at the needs of Asian families in the context of domestic violence and child abuse; recognises the difficulties of developing sensitive child welfare practice in an area where there has been a traditional separation of services for women and services for children; provides good practice examples for overcoming the traditional difficulties in this area. This report is important reading for practitioners, policy makers and managers in social services, and their equivalents in a range of other agencies involved in child protection. It is also valuable reading for social work academics and students interested in the area of domestic violence.Trade Review"Great interest to anyone working in the child protection field, especially child and family social workers and other child protection specialists." Julia Pearmain, Adoption & Fostering"This report is of major importance in what it can tell us about the detail of child protection practice as it relates to domestic violence. Practitioners and policy makers will find crucial lessons here, from both good and bad practice, about challenging men to take responsibility for their own abusive behaviour and about addressing safety issues for women and children." Audrey MullenderTable of ContentsContents: Introduction; Setting the context: domestic violence and child abuse; Issues of physical health: the domination of 'the atrocity story'; Falling off the agenda: minimisation and avoidance of domestic violence; Adult mental health issues: shifting or ignoring the problem; Alcohol abuse: a brewing problem in domestic violence; Focusing on offending: 'challenging the invisible man'; Key forums: child protection conferences and core reviews; Raising the stakes: violence against workers; Conclusion.

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Book Synopsis"THE WORLD'S BESTSELLING SEX GUIDE EVER" The Guardian. The Lovers' Guide is the most frank, informative and visually explicit guide to lovemaking ever published. It shows young couples how to take the first steps towards sexual intimacy with loving care and confidence, and experienced partners how to revive and improve their lovemaking techniques.

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