Diversity Perspectives

The document discusses a book that examines 12 conceptual frameworks for understanding diversity perspectives in social work practice, organized into three broader perspectives related to culture, oppression, and vulnerable life situations. The frameworks aim to sensitize social workers to issues of diversity and apply social work values of social justice and well-being. Each framework is explained with principles, applications, and case examples.

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Diversity Perspectives

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Sainik

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The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Volume 31 Article 19
Issue 3 September

September 2004

Diversity Perspectives for Social Work Practice. Joseph Anderson

and Robin Wiggins Carter (Ed.).
Rose Barreto
University of California, Berkeley

Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw

Part of the Social Work Commons

Recommended Citation
Barreto, Rose (2004) "Diversity Perspectives for Social Work Practice. Joseph Anderson and Robin
Wiggins Carter (Ed.).," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 31 : Iss. 3 , Article 19.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol31/iss3/19

This Book Note is brought to you for free and open

access by the Social Work at ScholarWorks at WMU. For
more information, please contact wmu-
[email protected].
190 Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare
extent to which market capitalism is penetrating the domain of
family life, and presenting new challenges for those who seek to
formulate social policies that enhance social well-being.
James Midgley, University of California, Berkeley

Joseph Anderson and Robin Wiggins Carter (Ed.), Diversity Per-

spectives for Social Work Practice.Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2003.
$42.67 papercover.
Among the many skills that social workers need to possess,
competence related to culture and diversity is of fundamental
importance. There is a general acceptance that practitioners and
researchers in the field must be cognizant of the ways in which
the experiences of diverse populations need to guide their work.
However, consensus is lacking on the content and means of con-
veying such a curriculum, while there is also a movement towards
greater sophistication in the understanding of diversity. It has
extended beyond ethnicity alone to encompass any number of
differing life experiences. Moreover, practice skills have evolved
from a dependence on knowing "cultural facts" to "learning how
to learn."
This text situates itself in this trend as a presentation of the
expanded applications of diversity. A commitment to the social
work values of social justice and well-being are visibly at the core
of each of its chapters. These values are promoted through the use
of twelve conceptual frameworks that lie within three broader
perspectives. Ethnocultural perspectives aim to sensitize social
workers to the relationship between ethnicity and culture, while
oppression perspectives examine the consequences of prejudice
and power. The "vulnerable life situation" perspectives consider
how practitioners can learn from clients about the impact of
different vulnerabilities and strengths. At the heart of these di-
versity perspectives are the strengths and empowerment frame-
works. Though familiar in any social work program, this text
addresses their specific relevance to diversity issues. The other
frameworks consist of ethnic-sensitivity, value orientation, eth-
nic minority, dual perspective, ethnic-centered/afrocentric, social
justice, ethnography, communication, feminism and construc-
tivism.
Each framework has a chapter devoted to expounding upon
Book Notes
its development, core principles, practice applications and case
examples. This is helpful for in-depth comprehension. Of note
is the inclusion of frameworks not typically recognized in this
area-communication and constructivism. Respectively, they
contribute an important understanding of the processes and
dimensions of communicating, and of the different ways of know-
ing and interpreting reality. Both seek to reduce the misunder-
standing that can occur between diverse peoples.
However, similar-sounding frameworks are not compared
clearly and systematically, such that a student could turn to a
summary chapter that readily identifies differences in principles
and practices. Given the interesting mix of frameworks contained
within the text, the inadequate use of disability and sexual ori-
entation perspectives is perplexing. They are mentioned within
social justice and feminism, but diversity nevertheless remains
confined to ethnic-based world views. Yet, this shortcoming is
mitigated by the "how to" approach of this book that enables a
flexible use of the various practice guidelines. A vital theme ties
together these guidelines; the multi- dimensionality of individ-
uals requires a balance between assessing the diversity within
and the diversity between people. This dynamic is recognized
throughout the chapters, and informs the development of solid
practice skills.
Rose Barreto, University of California, Berkeley

John P. Bartkowski and Helen Regis, CharitableChoices: Religion,

Race and Poverty in the Post- Welfare Era. New York: New York
University Press, 2003. $69.00 hardcover, $19.00 papercover.
Since coming to office in 2001, the Bush administration has
moved decisively to implement its faith based approach to so-
cial welfare. Informed by evangelical Christian writers such as
Marvin Olasky and political advocates on the religious right, Mr.
Bush had previously declared his dislike for government social
programs. During the 2000 presidential election campaign he
indicated that, if elected, he would shift the responsibility to care
for those in need from government agencies to religious orga-
nizations. He agreed with Christian conservatives that religious
organizations, and the Christian churches in particularly, were far
better equipped than government to help needy people. Unlike